ABSTRACT

Understanding the impact of employment trends on the workforce is crucial for creating policies that redistribute resources and expand income opportunities for marginalized groups. This qualitative study investigates the employment trends of the Black labor force in the San Francisco Bay Area. It explores how empowerment learning can improve economic outcomes for Black-identified citizens. Despite the Bay Area's reputation for global diversity and tech innovation, income inequality persists across race and gender, leading to significant economic instability for African Americans. This study focuses on individuals who identify as Black or African American and earn a living as part of the San Francisco Bay Area workforce. Triangulated data includes 45-minute semi-structured interviews, Google Form questionnaires, and reflection memos written by the researcher. Additionally, key staff from local community-based organizations (CBOs) participated in a 45-minute interview and completed an online questionnaire designed to inform organizational policy decisions aimed at improving economic outcomes for African Americans. This study has far-reaching implications for the research needs of CBOs, secondary and higher education institutions, and other groups concerned with enhancing workforce and innovation opportunities for Black citizens and others affected by economic disparities.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Mills  College at Northeastern Trio Program

EMS Corps

New Door Ventures

FUNDER

Northeastern University Community Policy Equity For all to Community (C2C)