Economic Justice: Los Angeles Black Worker Center Receives $2.5 Million

PublishedFebruary 5, 2024

Los Angeles, CA – Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) has demonstrated unwavering commitment to economic justice by presenting the Los Angeles Black Worker Center with a $2.5 million check. The funding, allocated through the State of California’s General Fund, signifies a pivotal moment in advancing the center’s mission to empower Black workers in Los Angeles.

The check presentation took place on Friday, February 2, 2024, during a press conference attended by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, alongside LaTonya Harris and Janelle Jenkins, Co-Executive Directors of the L.A Black Worker Center.

The event also featured graduates of the L.A Black Worker Center’s Ready to Work Program and members of their 1000 Strong Coalition. The center’s current campaign strives to place 1000 Black workers into public sector jobs in Los Angeles, to help bolster the Black middle class.

The funds allocated to the L.A Black Worker Center will help secure permanent real estate for the orgniazation to continue their work in South Los Angeles. This ensures the organization’s roots remain firmly embedded in the community, allowing them the opportunity to expand into a thriving campus and community engagement center.

The Los Angeles Black Worker Center’s long-term vision involves creating access to quality jobs, dismantling barriers related to employment discrimination, and transforming low-paying, low-skilled jobs into fulfilling, sustaining careers.

The center’s strategic approach includes unionization and leadership development, key components in their mission to reshape the landscape for Black workers in Los Angeles.

“The Los Angeles Black Worker Center is our regions most progressive organziatioon that protects Black workers while providing them access to quality jobs,” Senator Smallwood-Cuevas shared. “This investment is a testament to our joint commitment to building a better economic future for Black workers.”