Employ Prince George's Podcast

Becoming an entrepreneur/business owner has been a part of the “American Dream” for as long as time can tell, and a growing aspiration for many. But did you know that according to the 2018 Annual Business Survey, Black/African American owned employer businesses account for only 2.2% of the 5.7 million employer businesses in the United States? While this number has been increasing since 2002, this population is still disproportionately smaller than the population overall. Why might this be the case? Based on a poll of 400 Black business owners commissioned by Groupon and the National Black Chamber of Commerce, 80% of Black business owners said they faced significantly more challenges getting their business of the ground because of their race. This episode of The Workforce Wire features a discussion between three successful black business owners taking their seat at the table. Join us as we speak with Korey Neal, President of K. Neal Truck & Bus Center, Delegate Darryl Barnes (District 25), President of Men Aiming Higher, Inc. & Barnes International Ltd., and Laurie Sayles, President & CEO of Civility Management Solutions (Civility MS) about their experiences and challenges as Black entrepreneurs.

Youth activism has been on the rise throughout the past two decades, but COVID-19 accelerated engagement among youth in our nation. According to CNN, although the pandemic has led to community lockdowns and increased isolation among youth, “Young Americans, in particular, are showing commitment to a pragmatic center of policy priorities: affordable health care for all, environmental sustainability, international cooperation, civil rights and economic justice. Despite their current isolation, most young Americans embrace empathetic leadership and they are devoted to serving their communities.” Join us in this episode of the The Workforce Wire while we discuss this with Brandon Cooper, Richard Elliott and Janna Parker, three activists that have been using their voice to make a difference in our community, their pathway to becoming leading voices of activism in Maryland and if this is a pathway that will lead them to pubic office.

Slavery, Jim Crow, and decades of economic inequalities have severely impacted the earnings and wealth of black Americans. McKinsey & Company reported that the median white family had more than ten times the wealth of the median black family in 2016. Additionally, McKinsey & Company stated that, “the racial wealth gap between black and white families grew from about $100,000 in 1992 to $154,000 in 2016”. Two years later the Business Insider include the following stated in their article, “In 2018, the average black American was earning roughly 60% of the average white American, and that ratio has been largely stable throughout the past two decades.” In this episode of The Workforce Wire, Walter Simmons will be joined by Marcus N. Daniels, Commercial Real Estate Broker at NAI Michael, and April Richardson, CEO of DC Sweet Potato Cake to discuss strategies behind increasing the earnings of black Americans and increase the overall wealth of black America. As Money Under 30 stated, wealth meant to sustain a healthy financial future for years to come, characterized by long-term financial prosperity in combination with your total net worth. If the income gap wasn’t alarming enough, The Brookings Institution found that the net worth of a typical white family ($171,000) is nearly ten times greater than that of a Black family ($17,150).

What is Stormwater Management? We’re glad you asked. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Stormwater management is the effort to reduce runoff of rainwater or melted snow into streets, lawns and other sites and the improvement of water quality.  Urban or developed areas with poor Stormwater management can have flooding, erosion, turbidity (or muddiness), storm and sanitary sewer system overflow, and infrastructure damage.  A proper Stormwater management system will not only provide green infrastructure helping the environment, but also aides Workforce Development providing jobs, education & resources to the community it serves. On this episode of The Workforce Wire, Employ Prince George’s President & CEO, Walter Simmons, will facilitate a discussion between two Stormwater management experts from the Prince George’s County Clean Water Partnership (CWP). The CWP allows Prince George’s County to have access to private sector efficiencies and expertise to develop, manage, and maintain stormwater infrastructure.  Join us as we discuss the intersection of Stormwater management and Workforce Development with The Clean Water Partnership’s Community Partnership Liaison, Keisha Brown, and Mentor Protégé Program Director, Michael Burke.

Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs in the coronavirus recession, but for many of them the news is getting even worse: Their positions are going away forever,” according to Politico, “Permanent losses have so far made up only a fraction of the jobs that have vanished since states began shutting down their economies in March, with the vast majority of unemployed workers classified as on temporary layoff. But those numbers are steadily increasing — reaching 2.9 million in June — as companies start to move from temporary layoffs to permanent cuts. This episode will features a discussion on this topic with Maurielle Stewart, President of Inquire within Coaching, providing a real world and expert opinion on how on to fall forward, manage a job loss, and recharge your career toward a pathway to success.  

Everyone has New Year's resolutions, and with the current economic climate, many of those resolutions involve regaining employment and financial stability. However, for some, the goal is to stop being an employee and become an entrepreneur. Becoming a business owner can be much harder than many know. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that approximately 20% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open, 45% during the first five years, and 65% during the first 10 years. Only 25% of new businesses remain in business after 15 years or more. This episode of The Workforce Wire features three extraordinary CEOs who have already taken the leap into entrepreneurship. Not only are these leaders’ entrepreneurs and CEOs, they are also millennials! Join us as we speak with Korey Neal, President of K. Neal Truck & Bus Center, Hope Wiseman, CEO of Mary & Main, and Davion Percy, Managing Director of Percy Public Affairs about their journey to become CEOs, how they balance running a company as young professionals, and what advice and tips they have for the next generation of CEOs.

The Coronavirus brought the United States to a standstill! Everyone has been impacted by the pandemic, but America’s small business community may see the greatest impacts. In April, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported that 24% of small businesses were temporarily closed and 43% of small business owners believed that they had less than six months until they would have to permanently close their businesses. As small businesses around the Country struggle to survive, we’re talking with small business expert, Michael Burke, CEO of Quest Consulting, and one of the DC Metropolitan Area’s most successful and innovative entrepreneurs, April Richardson, President of Culinary Partnerships LLC, Food Opportunity LLC, and Savor at Studio 3807, about strategies small businesses can implement to survive. We will also discuss the opportunities that may present themselves to small businesses, how small businesses can create their own opportunities, and how small businesses can best position themselves to take advantage of all opportunities made available to them. 

The United States Department of Justice reports that over 650,000 people are released from prison every year. Unfortunately, studies show that approximately two-thirds of those released will likely be rearrested within three years.  The Workforce Wire podcast series, “Walking in My Shoes”, features returning citizens who have successfully transitioned from incarceration and identify, in their words, why they were successful, why many are not successful, and what can be done to decrease the recidivism rates of returning citizens. In the final episode of the Walk in My Shoes series we will explore the life of a returning citizen who was convicted of a crime, served time and was INNOCENT! Part 5 features Huwe Burton, a Bronx native, who was wrongfully convicted of murdering his mother in 1991 and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison at just 16 years old. After spending more than 20 years wrongfully incarcerated, Burton was released on parole in 2009 with the help of the famed Innocence Project. In January of 2019 Burton was finally exonerated.  Learn about Huwes experience, journey and reflection as a wrongfully convicted returning citizen.

The Coronavirus shocked the world! There isn’t a city, state or INDUSTRY that hasn’t been affected by pandemic. Out of all the topics and headlines, one that hasn’t been widely discussed is the nonprofit sectors response to the pandemic and the impacts of the pandemic on the sector. As nonprofits around the Country answered the calls of their local governments and communities, sometimes providing food and supplies to thousands of people in a single day, nonprofit leaders have been terrified that their sources of funding have been dwindling and could possibly disappear. What is the state of the nonprofit sector? What is the future of the nonprofit sector? How can nonprofit boards and leaders lead their organizations out of the pandemic and ensure their long-term sustainability? This episode will discuss these topics, and features Tonia Wellons, Tom Morley & Tiffany Turner, three nonprofit experts and industry leaders providing expert opinions and advice on understanding the impacts of the Coronavirus, how nonprofits can navigate challenges, and how they can identify and maximize the opportunities.

The United States Department of Justice reports that over 650,000 people are released from prison every year. Unfortunately, studies show that approximately two-thirds of those released will likely be rearrested within three years. The Workforce Wire podcast series, “Walking in My Shoes”, features returning citizens who have successfully transitioned from incarceration and identify, in their words, why they were successful, why many are not successful, and what can be done to decrease the recidivism rates of returning citizens. Part 3 features entrepreneur & justice reform advocate, Marcus Bullock. Following his 2004 release from prison, Marcus Bullock launched a construction business that grew to employ other returning citizens. Bullock is also the Founder & CEO of Flikshop, Inc., a software company that builds tools to help incarcerated people stay connected to their families and build community. He is also a member of the Justice Policy Institute's Board of Directors and serves as an advisor to the Aspen Institute’s Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund.

The Coronavirus has changed the landscape of workforce development for the short term and foreseeable future. Due to the recession caused by the Coronavirus, Local Workforce Development Boards and workforce development service providers are expecting millions of dollars in available funding. This episode features grant writer, trainer, workforce development consultant, and National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) Board Member, Tressa Dorsey. Tressa Dorsey, President of TAD Grants, will discuss how to prepare for increased funding, modifying existing programs, improving organizational operations, and engaging your board to prepare, and apply, for new funding.

The death of George Floyd catapulted discussions about Black Lives Matter, racism, police brutality, social justice, and equality from national media outlets to kitchen tables across America. In some cities across the Country these discussions became public protest, and unfortunately riots.  What role do these discussions have in the workplace?  How can businesses effectively discuss race relations? Join Walter Simmons, as he hosts a business owner, human resources executive, and diversity expert in a discussion about racism in the workplace on the Workforce Wire, finalizing the two-part series on Discussing Racism in the Workplace. Podcast Guests: Adrienne L. Stay, Chief Human Resources Officer, Employ Prince George’s Korey Neal, President, K. Neal Truck and Bus Center Nithya Pramekumar, Senior Consultant, Thomas P. Miller & Associates

The United States Department of Justice reports that over 650,000 people are released from prison every year. Unfortunately, studies show that approximately two-thirds of those released will likely be rearrested within three years.  The Workforce Wire podcast series, “Walking in My Shoes”, features returning citizens who have successfully transitioned from incarceration and identify, in their words, why they were successful, why many are not successful, and what can be done to decrease the recidivism rates of returning citizens. Part 3 features Prince George’s County Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II.  Elected by Prince George’s County voters as one of the inaugural Prince George’s County Council At-Large seats in November 2018, Councilmen Hawkins has successfully transitioned from the prison to the highest levels of local government. From civic activities, to political engagement, to community preparedness for emergencies, he has been involved in multiples facet of local government in Prince George's County and the Washington Metropolitan Region over the last 28 years. Committed to servant leadership, Council Member Hawkins is a strong supporter of progressive initiatives for seniors, working families and youth, while fighting for practical and sustaining programs for returning citizens. Learn about his pathway from prison to elected office.

The Coronavirus has changed the landscape of workforce development, shutting down American Job Centers and limiting face to face interactions for workforce development providers across the United States. To stop the spread of the Coronavirus and the new social distancing “norm”, most workforce providers are transitioning to virtual services, and educational institutions are transitioning to online learning. This episode will feature Employ Prince George’s own Education & Training Manager, Martin Copeland, and Community Development Director, Jamie Gunnell, sharing first-hand experience & advice for virtual learning with kids at home.

The death of George Floyd reinvigorated the pulsating Black Lives Matter Movement, catapulting discussions on racism, police brutality, police reform and equality to the national stage. As protest and riots erupted across the United States, people have been forced to have uncomfortable discussions on race. How should these discussions take place in the workplace though? Join host Walter Simmons, as he and multiple guests, discuss the discussion of racism in the workplace in a Workforce Wire two-part series. Guests featured on this episode:  1. Max F. Douge, Business and Employment Consultant, Workforce Services, Frederick County Government 2. Doug Foresta, Director of Podcast Services and Communications, Workforce180 3. Matthew Anselmo, Tour Guide, Palmetto Carriage Works  

The United States Department of Justice reports that over 650,000 people are released from prison every year. Unfortunately, studies show that approximately two-thirds of those released will likely be rearrested within three years.  The Workforce Wire podcast series, “Walking in My Shoes”, features returning citizens who have successfully transitioned from incarceration and identify, in their words, why they were successful, why many are not successful, and what can be done to decrease the recidivism rates of returning citizens. Part II features Joseph Tolbert, a father and Community Activist from Prince George’s County, Maryland.  After his release from prison, Joseph graduated from DC Central Kitchen and started a career in the hospitality industry.  Eventually seeing many problems in his community, Joseph became a Community Activist, fighting on the behalf of concerned residents, returning citizens and youth.  In 2019 Joseph launched a clothing company, Been There Done That (BTDT), and became a board member at DC Central Kitchen.

The Coronavirus has changed the landscape of workforce development, shutting down American Job Centers and limiting face to face interactions for workforce development providers across the United States.  To stop the spread of the Coronavirus and the new social distancing “norm”, most workforce providers should be transitioning to virtual services.  This episode will feature virtual workforce development and training experts, Joseph “Joe” Alteri  and Harrison Tonne, providing expert opinions and best practice on planning for, building and implementing a successful transition from in-person to virtual services.

The terms “Reentry” and “Returning Citizens” have become a popular phrases and topics of discussion for politicians, the media and workforce development professionals.  Unfortunately the most important people for these discussions, returning citizens, aren’t being included.  To ensure the voices of returning citizens are being heard, The Workforce Wire is producing a five part series, Walking in My Shoes.  Walking in My Shoes will provide you the prospective of  returning citizens related to their needs and recommendations for their communities related to crime prevention,  improving the criminal justice system, and how communities can reduce crime and recidivism by helping offenders successfully reenter their local communities. Part 1 of Walking in My Shoes features Qiana Johnson, founder of Life After Release, Inc.  Life After Release provides reentry services to formerly incarcerated Prince George's County residents, and was founded by Qiana after she couldn’t find the services she needed after her incarceration.  Join the program as Qiana shares her story of incarceration and subsequent return to the community. Discover the policy changes that need to happen in order to help individuals successfully integrate back into society upon their release from incarceration, and the support that is needed from the community.

Eight minutes and forty-six seconds shook an already fractured America. Eighty minutes and forty-six seconds represents the amount of time Minneapolis Police Officer, Derek Chauvin, pinned his knee on the neck of George Floyd. Officer Chauvin kept his knee on the neck of George Floyd even after Mr. Floyd lost consciousness and a full minute after paramedics arrived at the scene. George Floyd would die this day, May 25, 2020, and his death would launch protest and riots across the United States. Protest and riots led to many elected officials calling for policy changes, pinning condemning letters on social media, marching with protest and more. One question is yet to answered, “Will anything really change?”. This episode features the Honorable Candace Hollingsworth, Mayor, City of Hyattsville, as we discuss her view on what will change, the role of black elected officials, and policy recommendations to decrease systemic recommendations.

In 2019, the USA Today reported that 52% of LGBTQ people living in America lived in states where they could be fired, harassed, or declined for promotions due to their sexual orientation. Yes, that means in 28 states in the US it is legal to fire a worker for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. With such disturbing data, it is not surprising that the General Social Survey and US Transgender Survey report that 18% of LGB people say they have experienced employment discrimination in applying for and/or keeping a job because of their sexual orientation and 30% of transgender people reported being fired, denied a promotion, or not hired for a job because of their gender identity or expression. Another disturbing report from the General Social Survey is 58% of LGB people have experienced derogatory comments about sexual orientation and gender identity in their workplaces. This episode will discuss the LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace, what people are experiencing and identify pathways and resources to make changes that prepare and protect everyone in the workplace.

According to the Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/latinos-coronavirus/2020/05/25/6b5c882a-946e-11ea-82b4-c8db161ff6e5_story.html, Latinos make up for 10% of the population and third of all Coronavirus cases in the DC Metropolitan Region. This episode includes the expert opinion of Prince George’s County District Two Councilmember, The Honorable Deni L. Taveras, in a discussion about why the Coronavirus is disproportionately affecting the Latino Community, the lasting impacts of the virus, and what can be done to prevent the spread.

 In this episode, you'll learn about the Job Opportunities Task Force, and the work that they are doing to get low wage workers access to high paying jobs. Discover initiatives including Project JumpStart, Baltimore's pre-apprenticeship program in the building trades, which helps participants become licensed electricians, plumbers, or carpenters. You'll also learn about some of the additional barries that low wage workers face when it comes to obtaining employment and how JOTF is advocating for policy changes in areas including housing and criminal record reform. 

In this episode, you'll discover how to use social media in your job search. Discover do's and don'ts when it comes to using social media as a job seeker, and nontraditional methods of searching for employment. You'll also learn about DMV Job Connections, a Facebook group with over 60,000 members, that can assist you in your search for employment.   

Many people dream of obtaining a federal job, and many people achieve this dream, but many don’t. This episode will discuss tools and tips to help job seekers successfully gain employment with the federal government. The guest is Kathryn Troutman, President, The Resume Place. 

"Apprenticeship" is arguably the most popular word in workforce development today. But what is an Apprenticeship? More importantly, what is a Registered Apprenticeship? This episode will discuss registered apprenticeships, types of registered apprenticeships and implementing registered apprenticeships locally. The guest is Chris MacLarion, Director of Apprenticeship and Training, Maryland Department of Labor. 

Commonly people associate apprenticeships with the building trades and men.  This episode will discuss nontraditional apprenticeship occupations and how to integrate women, minorities and other demographics into apprenticeships. The guest is Emma Brennan, Women in the Trades Project Manager at Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO.     

Wendy Wolff, Director of Strategic Engagement for Maryland Nonprofits, joins the program to discuss the mission and vision of her organization, as well as the various opportunities that are available working with nonprofits in the region. Wendy speaks about the Standards for Excellence accreditation and the benefits of that accreditation for nonprofits. She also reveals the most common mistakes that nonprofits make when incorporating, and what you need to consider when starting a nonprofit.

Millenials are commonly the reference of negative connotations in today's workforce. The Success Millennial is a New Wire series dedicated to highlighting succesfull milennials while providing tips to assist in the development and growth of millennials in the workforce. This episode will discuss careers in government and how millennials can achieve success with the public sector. This episode features an interview with Erin Roth, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor & Ryan Middleton, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Office of the Prince George's County Executive. 

This episode features an interview with Daquanna Harrison, Founder, Elevation Educational Consulting Group as she discusses her journey as an entrepreneur, and tips and takeaways for finding success when starting your own business. 

Millenials are commonly the reference of negative connotations in today's workforce. The Success Millennial is a New Wire series dedicated to highlighting succesfull milennials while providing tips to assist in the development and growth of millennials in the workforce. This episode will discuss careers in government and how millennials can achieve success with the public sector. This episode features an interview with Hon. Shawn Maldon, Mayor, Capitol Heights, MD & Hon. Jazz Lewis, Delegate, District 24, Maryland House of Delegates. 

Disconnected Youth, Opportunity Youth, Out of School Youth, or youth ages 18 to 24 who are not enrolled in school or employed, became priorities of workforce systems across the Country with the enactment of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. WIOA requires 75% of youth funds be directed toward Out of School Youth. This requirement has been a struggle for Prince George's County and workforce areas across the Country. This episode features Employ Prince George's in-house youth expert, Martin Copeland, discussing tips and techniques to engage and prepare Out of School Youth for employment.

This episode features an interview with Shay Curry, Manager of Human Resources, Aerospace Group- Fluid and Electrical Distribution Division at Eaton.  Discover the opportunities and career pathways within advanced manufacturing, the positions that Eaton Aerospace posts most frequently, and what makes advanced manufacturing different from other jobs and industries.     

This episode features an interview with Tiffany Harvey, Legislative Director, Office of the Prince George's County Executive. Tiffany provides an overview of the outcomes of the 2019 Maryland General Assembly, including the laws that were passed, the laws that weren't passed and the laws that were pushed for 2020. The discussion includes a conversation about the positive and negative effects of these outcomes.