IEBWC June Newsletter
Acknowledging Juneteenth
I hope this week has given you time to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Freedom can be defined as being free from all restraints. Juneteenth is a time to acknowledge the resilience and grit of the Black community on the pursuit to freedom. Although we have made substantial progress the work is not done. In order to continue to make impact we must work together to change the policies and corporate practices that threaten our livelihood by centering many in low-wage unsustainable work. The IEBWC intends to organize for equity and quality jobs, livable wages, and union entry opportunities. Justice, Jobs, and Dignity is what true freedom looks like!
Water Industry Pre-Apprenticeship Inaugural Graduation
Pictured above: Chancellor Rodriguez, Acting President Thayer, Councilman Alexander, Tonya Burke, and IEWorks Directors Hawkins and Torres, Dar’rell Jones, Math Instructors Amare and Cruz, joined by Pre-Apprentice Scholars and IEBWC staff.
On June 13, 2022, we celebrated the inaugural class of the Water Industry Pre-Apprenticeship program. This was a 10-week Pre-Apprenticeship in partnership with our partners IEWorks. Throughout their time in the program Pre-Apprentices had the opportunity to receive college credits, OSHA safety certification, labor history, emotional intelligence training, math prep, Water site visits and leadership training. We are proud of you and will continue with you on this journey. Congratulations to all the 2022 Graduates!
City Council Recognition
Pictured above: Pictured above: Whanita Fawcett, Byron Williams, Moses Ramirez, Mayor John Valdivia, and IEBWC Associate Director Nosakhere Thomas (from left to right).
On June 1, 2022 IEWorks Water Industry Pre-Apprentices, in partnership with the Inland Empire Black Worker Center visited the San Bernardino City Council meeting. This time to receive recognition for their work and contributions from the San Bernardino City Council and Mayor John Valdiva.
Summer Engagement Opportunities
The month of June marks the beginning of summer. If you find yourself with extra time, find a way to connect with your community. This can be done by participating in listening sessions, and attending career and community fairs. If you are interested in these opportunities, please connect with us.
Get Involved!
Interested in a Water Industry site tour? Need job placement assistance? Want to get involved in community/civic engagement? Complete the form below and a Community Organizer will reach out to you to follow up.
Monthly
Listening Sessions
Monthly listening session every 4th Saturday.
The IE Black Worker Center invites you to join us in person for a listening session. A listening session is a group discussion aimed at collecting information about a person's experience. Understanding the needs of our local community is the first step in developing impactful solutions to improve the conditions for Black workers.
Essential Stories
Essential Stories teaches us some of the challenges and barriers that Black workers have experienced in the pandemic economy. Listen to this worker’s story about battling the pandemic and racism in the workplace.
Let us be reminded that uplifting Black voices is necessary to empower generations for everlasting change.
Source: UCLA Labor Center (Thomas, Murphy, Smallwood-Cuevas, & Izuogu, 2022)
Resources to Explore
Resources to keep you engaged and connected with the current climate for Black Workers in Southern California
Aint No Sunshine: The State of Black Workers and the demands of a brighter future.
To better understand Black workers’ experiences at work and in the labor market in the Inland Empire, the Inland Empire Black Worker Center Project conducted focus
groups with four types of workers: unemployed workers, underemployed workers, formerly incarcerated workers, and young workers.
Juneteenth Virtual Celebration
Juneteenth is a Virtual Celebration hosted by San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools’ Departments of Equity and Access and the Alliance for Education. The purpose of the Juneteenth Virtual Celebration is to raise awareness of the history and significance of the holiday. This event has been designed to enrich San Bernardino County’s experience and celebration of Juneteenth.
