Despite threats, hundreds attend job fair for Black women

When Sheletta Brundidge heard more than 300,000 Black women left the U.S. labor force in three months this spring, she was shocked. She was also moved to step out of her lane.

“I’m a broadcaster, a podcaster, a children’s book author, but I don’t know nothing about job fairs,” Brundidge explained. “I’m not in HR, that’s not what I do. But I’m a Black woman and I see other Black women hurting and more than thoughts and prayers are needed in this season for us to make it.”

That’s why Brundidge organized a Job Fair for Black Women in Minneapolis on Oct. 17. “I called these companies and asked them if they would come, and 15 said yes, and 500 Black women came to get jobs, interviews, connect, sip on mimosas, and we had a food truck.”

Brundige received a lot of praise for her efforts, and also received concerning warnings. “I had to hire additional security officers because of credible threats,” Brundidge explained. “People saying, ‘Why you doing this for Black women? You should be hiring anybody.’ Folks calling me all kinds of names.”

Even with the threats, Brundidge, employers, and attendees classified the day as a success with more than a dozen local employers in attendance, included Metro Transit, M Health Fairview, Fraser, Minneapolis Public Schools, and the Minneapolis Police Department, to name a few.

“At our two hospitals and 25 clinics, we need to be reflective of the people we are serving,” said Elizabeth Edenland, a recruiter with North Memorial Health who was at the job fair.

The event was perfect for Nadvia Davis, who is looking for work. “I just really loved the fact that she’s focusing on Black Women. I wanted to explore and see what it would be like, and it’s exceeding my expectations. I’m glad I showed up.”

Not only were attendees able to connect with potential employers, but the event also included a raffle in which two women were picked to have their November mortgage or rent paid by the event sponsors ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com and Spotlight Staffing LLC.

Brundige hopes it’s just the start and a format that can easily be replicated. “I want other Black women who are boss ladies with connections in other cities to see how successful our event was and they start duplicating our efforts in Dallas in Washington D.C. in Milwaukee, in Chicago and Boston and Houston and Phoenix and get 500 Black women in their city to come to come to an event like this and find jobs and then those numbers are going to go in the opposite direction.”