The Brooklyn Public Library is launching a new workforce program to help elevate Black women in low-paying jobs.
“The very mission of BPL is to provide free and equal access to information, so we are especially delighted to partner with Goldman Sachs to provide LevelUP, a program for Black women in Brooklyn to advance professionally and build wealth,” said Arcola Robinson, program coordinator, business and career center at BPL.
Across the U.S., Black women continue to be disadvantaged in terms of wealth, earnings and opportunity. Nationwide, a median Black household owns nearly 90% less wealth than the median white household. According to Goldman Sachs research, the gap is slightly larger for single Black women relative to single white men.
In Brooklyn, where more than 50% of the population lives in low-to-moderate income households, more than 50% are female, and nearly 30% are African American or Black.
Supported by a $500,000 grant from Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women initiative, LevelUp aims to assist Black women in advancing professionally and building wealth through various program offerings.
“Along with the extensive suite of free resources, classes and counseling in BPL’s Business and Career Center, LevelUP will help build a more equitable and a brighter future not just for Black women, but for the entire borough. Providing access to education is a benefit for all of us,” said Robinson.
The program will be offered in three program cycles - real estate, finance and technology.
Over 10 weeks, participants will dedicate 50 hours to receive mentoring, financial coaching, interviewing and professional etiquette courses.
One-on-one sessions with mentors and financial coaches from the Community Service Society of New York will be provided, as well as access to library databases and resources.
Participants will also develop personalized milestone charts and financial plans and those who make progress towards goals will qualify for $500 towards certification or professional development costs.
Each cycle will culminate in an industry-specific career fair.
LevelUp is expected to serve 120 women over a two-year period.
"By providing tangible resources to advance Black women’s careers through the LevelUP program, BPL is ensuring a more equitable path for upward professional mobility. Goldman Sachs is proud to partner with the BPL, so that more Black women professionals in New York can take that next step in their career, and therefore, increase economic growth in their communities,” said Asahi Pompey, global head of corporate engagement at Goldman Sachs.
BPL will simultaneously launch LevelUp Intensity, a series of four drop-in workforce advancement programs for the broader public.
The free program will provide a condensed version of the training for participants in the intensive cycles, with similar financial coaching, resume counseling, networking and database training.
Public information sessions will be held for those interested in more information at the Business and Career Center on Aug. 3 from 11:00am-7:00pm.
For more information, click here.
