This past month, we got to see the incredible, real-life impact of Unlock Potential, RBIJ’s hiring program for opportunity youth.
Roland and Xavier, two young people who began their journey through the program as interns at Walmart Facilities in Memphis, were promoted to full-time positions in a surprise ceremony at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.
These promotions mark a huge milestone in Roland and Xavier’s careers, and also highlight just how powerful a “first chance” at employment can be.
Roland and Xavier's stories highlight Unlock Potential’s increasing impact. In this year alone, we’ve had approximately 235 young people apply for jobs through the Walmart.org-funded program so far, and our growing number of community partners have noted the youth who participate becoming more career-driven, financially literate, and hopeful about the future.
We have now expanded to 10 employers across six states and engaged an impressive cohort of 35 community-based organizations who are committed to giving participants the support they need to thrive in their roles.
The same week the promotions were announced, I was lucky enough to be in Bentonville with RBIJ’s Director of Inclusive Hiring, Caz Walcott, for Walmart.org’s annual Center for Racial Equity Grantee Convening and Walmart’s Belonging Summit. We connected with other Walmart.org grantees and discussed how our collective efforts are creating cultures of belonging and empowering communities nationwide.
We are incredibly grateful to Walmart.org, our employer partners, and our community-based organization partners for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the young people in Unlock Potential are successful. Together, we're paving the way for even more opportunity youth to have a first chance.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership,
Congratulations to Katlyn Toelle, who has been promoted to Director of Communications! Katlyn has already made a significant impact at RBIJ, and her passion for justice reform will continue to lead our communications strategy. We’re looking forward to all she will accomplish in this new role. Connect with Katlyn on LinkedIn.
A warm welcome to Dylan Garcia, the newest addition to our team! Dylan has joined us as our Senior Communications Manager, and we’re thrilled to have his expertise in new and traditional media and digital strategy further strengthening our advocacy and narrative change efforts. Connect with Dylan on LinkedIn.
Caz Walcott, RBIJ’s Director of Inclusive Hiring, and Amanda Hall, Talent Aquisition and Training Specialist for Lebanon, Ohio-based JBM Packaging, talk about the growing Second Chance Hiring movement in Ohio and the importance of creating job opportunities for returning citizens. Read the article.
30 Youth Participate in Unlock Potential Summer Learning Series
This summer, RBIJ offered a series of virtual training sessions for youth on Money Management, Navigating the Legal System, and Educational Pathways. These sessions provided valuable insights and practical tools for success in their personal and professional lives. Thank you to our partners for facilitating and leading these trainings: DLA Piper, Planned to A.T., and Education Design Lab.
Join RBIJ Senior Manager of Policy & Advocacy Morgan Southers on Tuesday, Sep. 17 from 9-10:30 a.m. EDT for a virtual briefing on the Ohio GROW Act (House Bill 460) and its workforce development impacts. This Zoom session will highlight the business case for the GROW Act — Ohio’s version of Clean Slate legislation which would create an automatic review of old criminal records that are eligible to be sealed, ultimately helping individuals with records more easily apply for and secure employment.
Looking ahead, we are gearing up for a busy fall advocating for Clean Slate legislation in Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, and Texas. If you want to get involved in these efforts, please fill out this form to learn how you can drive change in your state.
RBIJ is recruiting businesses to sign on to a letter in support of four workforce bills at the federal level. If passed, the legislation would help remove barriers and foster successful reintegration for individuals with records. While each bill currently sits in the House Judiciary Committee, we know that hearing from businesses like yours can inspire change. Fill out this form to join businesses in calling for reform.
On August 8, Utah executed Taberon Dave Honie by lethal injection; it was the state’s first execution since 2010. In response, Virgin Unite Founding CEO and Business Leaders Against the Death Penalty signatory Jean Oelwang penned a powerful letter to the editor calling on Utah to abolish the practice.
The UK's Rehabilitation of Offenders Act turns 50 years old this year. This act allowed certain criminal convictions to be ‘spent’ after a waiting period, allowing individuals to move on and not disclose their past. However, criminal record availability on the internet and an increasingly complex legal records system reduces the effectiveness of this legislation. RBIJ supports the call for a full review and has been supporting the #FairChecks campaign. Read more from our partner, Unlock.
RBIJ Welcomes 37 New #BizVsDP Signatories
RBIJ welcomes the latest signatories to the Business Leaders' Declaration Against the Death Penalty! Are you a business leader ready to make a difference? Sign on to the #BizVsDP Declaration today.
Tonje Elisabeth Aaroe, Managing Partner, Franklin Covey
Janet Mueller, CEO, Leadership Wellness Coaching Academy
Charles O'Hara, Partner, O'Hara Law Firm, PLC
Sara Towery O'Hara, Co-Founder & Co-Owner, O'Hara Law Firm, PLC
Van Oldham, Owner & Operator, EverGreen Site Solutions
Kristen Powers, Executive Director, Benevolence Farms
Lauren Segal, Owner, Laguana Beach T-Shirt Company
Zaki Smith, Founder, Zaki Media Group
Sayé Yabandeh, CEO, Leo Entertainment / saye
Timothy Yee, President, Green Retirement, Inc.
Join the WJA
RBIJ's Workforce & Justice Alliance (WJA) is a groundbreaking community of 50+ businesses working together to dismantle workforce barriers for justice-impacted individuals and deliver justice reform across the country. We encourage business leaders to become members and share this opportunity with your networks. Join today for access to our business network and exclusive resources.
Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, 1050 30th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
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