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[00:00:01]

WELCOME TO OUR LATEST TRUSTEE TOWN HALL WORKFORCE INITIATIVES PREPARING

[Trustee Townhall on May 21, 2021.]

STUDENT TALENT TO FILL A WORKFORCE GAP.

I'M MONICA LIRA BRAVO CHAIR OF DALLAS COLLEGE'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

I'M SO GLAD YOU CAN BE WITH US HERE TODAY.

IF YOU'VE ATTENDED PREVIOUS TOWN HALLS AS A MEMBER OF OUR VIBRANT DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR HOW DALLAS COLLEGE AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE SERVING RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYERS IN NEW AND EXCITING WAYS.

DALLAS COLLEGE HAS SEVEN GEOGRAPHICALLY DISTRIBUTED CAMPUSES LITERALLY MAKE DALLAS COLLEGE THE MOST ACCESSIBLE HIGHER EDUCATION OPTION FOR DALLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS FAR AND WIDE.

THE COLLEGE CONTRIBUTES TO EVERY CORNER OF NORTH TEXAS ECONOMY, FIRST AND FOREMOST BY PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIVING WAGES, JOBS THAT MEET EMPLOYEE NEEDS IN TODAY'S EVER CHANGING ENVIRONMENT.

SO IT'S MY PLEASURE TO KICK OFF THIS TOWN HALL AND INTRODUCE TODAY'S GUEST ON THIS TOPIC.

IT'S ALSO A TOPIC THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO DALLAS COUNTY CHANCELLOR JOE MAY.

IT'S AT THE CORE OF DALLAS COLLEGE'S MISSION TO TRANSFORM LIVES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION.

DR. MAY OFTEN REFERS TO FILLING THE TALENT GAP AS CREATING A CAREER CONNECTED LEARNING MODEL THAT MEETS THE REAL WORLD NEEDS OF EMPLOYERS ACTIVELY RECRUITING THE TOP TALENT OF TODAY AND TOMORROW.

WE ARE CONNECTED LEARNING ALLIANCE, THE MANY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT DALLAS COLLEGE BRINGS TO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE NEEDS OF THE WORKFORCE TO DO THIS, DALLAS COLLEGE OFFERS BROAD GROUPINGS OF PROGRAMS OR COURSES AND SEQUENCES ARE MAPPED SO EACH STUDENT CAN CHART A REAL WORLD PATH FROM THEIR EDUCATION TO AN EXISTING AND DEMAND JOB, OR, AS WE LIKE TO CALL IT, ENROLLING IN A CAREER.

SUPPORTING THAT TALENT PIPELINE, HOWEVER, REQUIRES THE EFFORTS OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

DALLAS COLLEGE IS FORTUNATE TO BE MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN BRIDGING THE TALENT GAP WITH THE HELP OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THREE OF WHICH HAVE JOINED US HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO HELP CREATE WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT TODAY, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING OUR THREE DISTINGUISHED PANELISTS.

LESLIE WHITE, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AT PEPSICO, JENNIFER CHANDLER, MARKET PRESIDENT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR AT BANK OF AMERICA.

AND MAURICE JONES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT 110, A COALITION OF LEADERS AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES DEDICATED TO CREATING ONE MILLION FAMILY SUSTAINING JOBS FOR BLACK TALENT IN AMERICA OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO HEAR FROM BEN MCGILL, DALLAS COLLEGE'S ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, ALSO THE HEAD AND FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF DALLAS COLLEGE'S LABOR MARKET INTELLIGENCE CENTER, OR LMIC.

THIS ROBUST IN-HOUSE DATA FUSION CENTER COLLECTS THE LATEST NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DATA TO HELP INFORM WHICH HIGHLY REWARDING PROGRAMS DALLAS COLLEGE, DALLAS COLLEGE GROWS FOR ITS STUDENTS BASED ON MARKET DEMAND.

THIS INFORMATION IS USEFUL AND IN DEMAND ITSELF THAT NORTH TEXAS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, DALLAS, DALLAS TAX AND CITY AGENCIES AND EVEN THE TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD NOW GET THEIR LABOR DATA MARKET MARKET DATA FROM DALLAS COLLEGE.

THEN CAN YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF THE DALLAS LABOR MARKET AND THE IMPORTANCE OF UPSKILLING OR RESKILLING OUR WORKFORCE WITH PROGRAMS LIKE THOSE AT DALLAS COLLEGE? ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE BRAVO, AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PANELISTS TODAY AND EXCITED TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL.

SO I WILL BREEZE THROUGH THESE SLIDES QUICKLY, GIVE US KIND OF A FOUNDATION FOR THE DISCUSSION TODAY.

SO NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT UPSKILLING WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE LABOR MARKET AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE RECESSION IT CREATED AND WHERE WE WANT TO GO FROM HERE.

SO THE REASON UPSKILLING IS IMPORTANT IS THAT OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF UNEMPLOYMENT DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

AND AS YOU PREPARE TO GO BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE, YOU KNOW, SOME JOBS HAVE CHANGED THAT REQUIRE NEW SKILLS.

THE PANDEMIC EXACERBATED SOME OF THE TRENDS THAT WE WERE ALREADY SEEING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO WE'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT ADDING NEW SKILLS AND BECOMING MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE JOB MARKET.

SO YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU'LL SEE THAT OBVIOUSLY WE HAD INCREDIBLE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE SINCE MADE PROGRESS.

YOU CAN SEE DALLAS FORT WORTH HAS GONE FROM TWELVE POINT EIGHT PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT AT THE PEAK OR NOW EVEN BELOW THE SIX POINT SEVEN NUMBER IN TEXAS.

[00:05:02]

SO WE'RE GETTING WE'VE MADE TREMENDOUS, TREMENDOUS PROGRESS AND ARE ON A GOOD A GOOD TRACK.

BUT THE IMPORTANT THING TO LOOK AT IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

IS THAT THIS UNEMPLOYMENT DID NOT AFFECT ALL POPULATIONS EQUALLY SO WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS AND THIS REINFORCES THE IMPORTANCE OF UPSKILLING AND ADDING NEW SKILLS, IS THAT FOLKS WITH NO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA WERE AFFECTED MOST.

AND SO WHAT YOU CAN SEE HERE ESSENTIALLY IS THAT THE MORE MORE SKILLS, MORE CREDENTIALS, MORE DEGREES THAT YOU ADD, YOU'RE INSULATING YOURSELF FROM THAT THAT THIS TYPE OF IMPACT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

UNEMPLOYMENT ALSO DID NOT AFFECT EVERY INDUSTRY EQUALLY, SO YOU CAN SEE THAT LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY HERE TOOK TOOK THE BIGGEST HIT.

IF YOU'LL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

YOU CAN ALSO SEE THAT THE THIS IS, AGAIN, ANOTHER REPRESENTATION OF THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE IMPACTED THE MOST, THEY CAN SEE FOOD SERVICES AND DRINKING PLACES, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

THESE PLACES LOST A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF JOBS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THESE ARE THE MOST IMPACTED OCCUPATIONS, SO FOLKS EMPLOYED IN THESE OCCUPATIONS WERE HARDEST HIT.

NOW, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE, TOO, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WITH OUR PANELISTS IN A LITTLE BIT.

THE FOLKS THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN THESE OCCUPATIONS THAT WERE HARDEST HIT ARE ON THE MAJORITY PEOPLE OF COLOR AND PARTICULARLY IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES, WOMEN OF COLOR.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO REEMPHASIZE THAT ALL POPULATIONS WERE NOT IMPACTED EQUALLY, SOME POPULATIONS WHERE WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY UNEMPLOYMENT CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

LET'S SKIP, SKIP TO THE NEXT SLIDE ONE MORE, PLEASE, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I'M EXCITED TO HEAR FROM OUR PANELISTS.

THE IMPORTANT THING TO THINK ABOUT IS TO IS THAT WHILE SOME INDUSTRIES WHERE WE'RE HEAVILY IMPACTED BY UNEMPLOYMENT, OTHERS GREW DURING THE PANDEMIC, THERE WERE NEW OPPORTUNITIES CREATED.

AND SO COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, THESE ARE OCCUPATIONS THAT ARE VERY PROMISING, THAT ARE GROWING.

WE DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE AND DIRECT OUR STUDENTS TO THESE JOBS THAT ARE HAVE A GREAT FUTURE, ARE ON A REALLY GOOD TRENDING UPWARD.

SO THESE ARE SOME OF THOSE AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS, SOFTWARE QUALITY, REGISTERED NURSES, ACCOUNTING, ET CETERA.

SO A LOT OF GOOD OPPORTUNITIES ALSO COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC FOR FOLKS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY UNEMPLOYMENT AND ARE THINKING ABOUT RESKILLING, MAYBE CHANGING, CHANGING CAREERS, GOING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

AND CERTAINLY HERE AT DALLAS COLLEGE, WE WANT TO HELP FOLKS.

WE WANT TO HELP FOLKS DO THAT.

BUT WE CAN'T WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

IT IS A CHALLENGING SITUATION TO GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW IS THAT WHILE UNEMPLOYMENT HAPPENED EVERYWHERE, YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE WERE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES THAT WERE AFFECTED MORE THAN OTHERS.

SO THE DARKER THE COLOR THERE ON THE MAP, THE MORE UNEMPLOYMENT IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND SO WHAT WE REALIZED, YOU KNOW, IN AND COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND AS THE ECONOMY STARTS TO RECOVER, THE RECOVERY WILL NOT BE EQUAL EITHER.

SOME INDUSTRIES ARE COMING BACK SOONER.

SOME POPULATIONS WERE NOT AFFECTED AS MUCH AS OTHERS.

AND SO FOR THE FOLKS THAT WERE MOST HEAVILY IMPACTED, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THE DATA, DIRECTING STUDENTS TOWARDS WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES IT'S GOING TO TAKE, WORKING WITH OUR EMPLOYER PARTNERS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND THE TYPES OF FOLKS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO HIRE, THE TYPES OF SKILLS THAT THEY WANT TO BRING ON.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US TOGETHER TO GET TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO WITH THAT, I AM EXCITED TO HAND IT BACK TO YOU, TRUSTEE BRAVO, AND TO HEAR FROM OUR PANELISTS ABOUT THE EXCITING WORK THAT WE'RE ALL DOING IN COLLABORATION TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

THANK YOU, BEN, FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

PEPSICO HAS FOCUSED ON COLLEGE STUDENTS, RISING TUITION COSTS, EXPENSES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ITS PHILANTHROPIC ARM, THE PEPSI FOUNDATION.

RECENTLY, THE FOUNDATION SELECTED DALLAS COLLEGE AS ONE OF THE FIRST FOUR EDUCATION PARTNERS IN A NEW 40 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM TO SUPPORT BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS

[00:10:03]

ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A NEW COALITION BACKED BY PEPSICO AND FRITO-LAY IS ALSO HOPING TO REVERSE THE PANDEMIC'S UNEQUAL IMPACT ON WORKING MOMS AND PUT HUNDREDS BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

PEPSICO AND ITS PLANO BASED SUBSIDIARY, FRITO-LAY, ARE PARTNERING WITH NONPROFITS UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS AND CITY SQUARE AND DALLAS COLLEGE TO TRAIN WOMEN IN THE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR JOBS IN HOSPITALITY, SALES, MARKETING, MANUFACTURING AND LOGISTICS.

THEY'LL ALSO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND CHILD CARE.

OK, THAT SEEMS LIKE ENOUGH ALREADY, BUT WHAT ELSE IS PEPSICO DOING? EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT JUST THE REALLY THREE KEY AREAS OF THESE SCHOLARSHIPS THAT GIVE MORE DETAIL ON ON THEM, SO THE PEPSICO FOUNDATION UPLIFT SCHOLARSHIPS.

WE HAVE A SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT.

IT'S A TWO YEAR PROGRAM TO DALLAS COLLEGE FOUNDATION THAT'S GOING TO PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 80 SCHOLARSHIPS PER YEAR FOR BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS TO ATTAIN TWO YEAR ASSOCIATES DEGREES AND TECHNICAL CONTINUING EDUCATION, TRADE CERTIFICATES, ALL SORTS OF AREAS.

AND AGAIN, TO THE POINT OF EARLIER MAPPING TO THESE AREAS OF CAREERS THAT ARE REALLY PROMISING AND GROWING.

AND IN THE PEPSICO FOUNDATION SMILE SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH YEAR, WE'RE IDENTIFYING TEN STUDENTS THAT HAVE GRADUATED SPECIFICALLY FROM DALLAS COLLEGE AND ARE MATRICULATING TO A FOUR YEAR INSTITUTION AND PROVIDE TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS SCHOLARSHIPS TO THOSE STUDENTS PER YEAR TO FINISH THEIR FOUR YEAR DEGREE.

SO WE JUST IDENTIFIED THE FIRST 10 STUDENTS OF THAT PROGRAM.

SO EXCITING, SO FUN.

AND THEY BOTH INCLUDE WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS, MENTORING, ETC.

SO ALL SORTS OF FUN THERE.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE OUR WOMEN'S WORKFORCE READINESS INITIATIVE.

SO THIS IS A SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR PROGRAM, A THREE YEAR PROGRAM INITIATIVE.

AND WE'RE PARTNERING WITH CITY SQUARE, DALLAS COLLEGE AND UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS, REALLY FOCUSING ON SUPPORTING 550 WOMEN IN SOUTHERN DALLAS BY PROVIDING BARRIER REDUCTION SERVICES, KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO ATTAIN JOBS IN HIGH GROWTH INDUSTRIES.

SO WE'RE EXCITED TO REALLY BE LEANING IN AND IN ALL AREAS THERE.

THANK YOU, LESLIE.

THAT IS SO EXCITING TO HEAR AND THROUGH THIS PEPSICO PARTNERSHIP, DALLAS COLLEGE IS OFFERING FOUR TYPES OF NEED BASED SCHOLARSHIPS TO HELP STUDENTS OBTAIN DEGREES OR CREDENTIALS IN HIGH DEMAND FIELDS.

STUDENTS WHO CAN QUALIFY CAN PURSUE FOUR YEAR DEGREES OR CAREERS IN THE DEMANDING FIELDS OF CYBERSECURITY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND LOGISTICS.

DALLAS COLLEGES PROUD TO ALIGN ITSELF WITH PEPSICO AS PART OF ITS COMMITMENT, SUPPORTING STUDENTS NOT ONLY ACADEMICALLY BUT ALSO PERSONALLY WITH A HOST OF WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT MEET BASIC NEEDS.

WE DON'T OFTEN SEE AN EFFORT LIKE THIS THAT IS SO COMPREHENSIVE THAT IT INCLUDES WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT? WHAT CONVINCED PEPSICO TO LAUNCH THIS COLLABORATION? SO I THINK FOR US, THE ONE I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN IN DALLAS FOR 85 YEARS, IT'S IT'S OUR HOME, 6500 OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE IN THE DALLAS AREA AND A QUARTER OF THOSE ARE IN SOUTHERN DALLAS.

AND SO OVER THAT TIME, OUR ERGS IN PARTICULAR HAVE DONE A LOT OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH WITH SCHOOLS, WITH THE COMMUNITY, UNITED WAY, OTHER NON-PROFITS.

AND SO WE'VE BEEN BUILDING OVER TIME.

AND WHAT I WOULD SAY IS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, WE'VE REALLY STARTED TO GET FOCUSED AND IDENTIFY WHAT DO WE THINK ARE THE REAL BARRIERS REALLY FOCUSING IN ON NUTRITION, JOBS, EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE IS REALLY FOUR AREAS THAT WE REALLY BELIEVE ARE OBSTACLES THAT ARE IMPACTING, PARTICULARLY OUR SOUTHERN DALLAS COMMUNITY, MORE THAN OTHERS.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE REALLY THE CULMINATION OF THAT AND THE LEAN IN.

AND SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR BOTH OUR HEADQUARTERS POPULATIONS TO BE ABLE TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE FOUNDATION AND REALLY LEAN IN AND SUPPORTING THIS COMMUNITY.

THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR IN I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE SOUTHERN SECTOR, SO CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT HOW HOW IMPORTANT IS THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF DALLAS TO PEPSICO AND IF THAT IS STRATEGIC GROWTH AREA FOR PEPSICO? YEAH, SO SO TEXAS IS GROWING IN GENERAL.

I KEEP GETTING CALLS FROM MY FOLKS IN OTHER STATES THAT LOST CONGRESSMEN BECAUSE OF BECAUSE OF TEXAS GROWTH.

AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT OF OUR OPERATION RIGHT HERE IN NORTH TEXAS AND IN THE DFW AREA.

SO WE HAVE FOUR FRITO-LAY SNACK PLANTS UP HERE AT BEVERAGE PLANT.

WE HAVE OUR COQUETRY, ONE OF OUR GLOBAL CONCENTRATE PLANTS AND A GATORADE PLANT.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR DISTRIBUTION CENTER, OUR FRITO-LAY HEADQUARTERS AND

[00:15:02]

OUR ONE OF OUR GLOBAL IT HEADQUARTERS ALSO HERE IN DALLAS.

AND LIKE I SAID, OF THE 6500 EMPLOYEES, A QUARTER OF THEM LIVE IN SOUTHERN DALLAS.

AND SO THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PLACE FOR US.

IT'S OUR HOME.

IT'S WHERE OUR OUR WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES LIVE.

AND SO SEEING A PLACE HERE WHERE WE REALLY SAW A PART OF OUR HOME THAT WAS BEING UNDERSERVED, UNDERSERVED, WE REALLY FELT IT WAS AN AREA WHERE NOT ONLY WAS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING WHERE WE WERE GOING TO BE INVESTING IN REALLY OUR FAMILY.

SO IT IS VERY STRATEGIC FOR US TO BE ABLE TO INVEST IN A PLACE THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, IS OUR HOME.

LESLIE, WE ARE VERY HAPPY THAT PEPSICO'S HOME IS IS DALLAS COUNTY.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IF THERE ARE ANY JOBS AVAILABLE AT PEPSICO IN ALL OF THE OPERATIONAL AREAS MENTIONED? OR ARE YOU HOPING, HOPING THAT PEOPLE WILL GET JOBS WITH OTHER COMPANIES AS A RESULT? WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST TALENT SHORTAGES TODAY? YEAH, I'D SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, HERE THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT BUT WE'RE ALSO SEEING CONTINUED COMPETITION IN THOSE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE SKILLS AVAILABLE.

RIGHT.

SO ONE OF OUR GOALS AND CLOSING THIS GAP IS TO HELP WITH THE SKILLS SO WE WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPANIES LIKE US IN FINDING THAT TALENT.

WE BELIEVE A LOT OF THOSE AREAS WILL ENABLE NOT ONLY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO FIND EMPLOYMENT BUT GROWING EMPLOYERS, MORE EMPLOYERS COMING TO THE DALLAS AREA TO FIND THAT TALENT.

SO WE HAVE AVAILABILITY OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR MANUFACTURING.

IN OUR LOGISTICS, I TEASE.

SALES, BLUE CROSS ALL AREAS.

SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THAT, ALSO EXCITED TO INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION FOR OTHER COMPANIES ABLE TO BENEFIT.

>> THAT IS SO GREAT TO HEAR, LESLIE.

WORKING PEOPLE FIND OUT ABOUT THESE JOBS?

>> THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FIND THAT INFORMATION.

I WILL BE ABLE TO GET ALL OF THOSE LINKS SO WE CAN SEND THAT OUT AS WELL.

>> PERFECT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AS PART OF BANK OF AMERICA'S RECENT $1 BILLION COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY, THE COMPANY COMMITTED $25 MILLION TO ENHANCE UPSCALING AND RESCALING FOR BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS.

DALLAS COLLEGE ONE OF THE SCHOOLS RECEIVING THE $1 MILLION COMMITMENT TO HELP STUDENTS OF COLOR COMPLETE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN TODAY'S WORKFORCE.

JENNIFER, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT BANK OF AMERICA'S GOAL WITH THIS EFFORT? WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE MARKET.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME.

I LOVE THE BACKGROUND.

IT LOOKS GREAT.

MONICA, GREAT QUESTION.

ALSO SAY WE MADE THE COMMITMENT LAST YEAR, 1.25 BILLION.

OVER FIVE YEARS.

FAR UNDER WAY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WE DOUBLE DOWN, CONTINUING TO ADD TO IT.

ALSO PLEASED TO SAY THE COLLEGE IS ONE OF THE FIRST ORGANIZATIONS WE MOVED ON, ALREADY HAD A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WALL.

EXCITING AT THE TIME, OUR MEETING ON WEEKLY BASIS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

A WAY TO KEEP ON WHAT IS GOING ON.

WE SAID ABSOLUTELY, WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP.

SO REALLY WITH THAT, OVERALL BANK OF AMERICA SCHOOL IN NORTH TEXAS IS TO BE THE BANK OF CHOICE FOR OUR CLIENTS OF COURSE, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COLLEAGUES.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP AND THE WORK WE NEED TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITY IT HELPS US TACKLE ALL OF THIS.

REALLY OUR COLLEAGUES.

BUILD A WORKFORCE, VERY THOUGHTFUL AROUND THAT.

ALSO VERY TRANSPARENT AROUND THAT TOO.

THAT IS WHAT ALL OF US NEED TO BE DOING.

SOMETHING CALLED OUR CAPITAL REPORT, THAT WE SHARE WISELY.

IF ANYBODY WANTS A LINK TO THAT, I CAN GET THAT OUT.

TO SHOW SOME OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE.

WORKING TO MAKE SURE OUR WORKFORCE NEARS OUR POPULATION.

SKILLS TRAINING, IF YOU THINK ABOUT BANK OF AMERICA, THE FIRST THING THAT COMES

[00:20:02]

TO MIND IS FINANCIAL SERVICES.

NORTH TEXAS 14,000 PEOPLE.

A LARGE NUMBER OF THIS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS POSITIONS.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE WORKFORCE WE NEED FOR THAT, A BIG PORTION OF THAT.

OF COURSE THINK ABOUT THE CENTER THAT YOU MAY GO TO FOR HELP FINANCIALLY.

WORKING TO STAFF THOSE.

TECHNOLOGY FIRM, A MARKETING FIRM.

CLIENT SERVICE FIRM.

A BIT OF EVERYTHING.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS A DIVERSE TALENT TOOL, ADJUST THAT SKILL TRAINING, REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.

LAST YEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC, EXAMPLE WE NEEDED TO KEEP OUR CENTERS OPEN.

AT THE SAME TIME WE HAD HIGH RISK, WE CANNOT PUT IT ON THE FRONT LINES.

WE RESCALED 23,000 PEOPLE, IT FELT LIKE OVERNIGHT.

MORE ROBUST THAN THAT.

THEY HAD THE SHIFT FROM SOMETHING THEY WERE USED TO DOING EACH DAY TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

A LOT OF THAT WAS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT IT DID WAS A SET UP THAT WORK AND REASSURED US WE COULD DO THIS.

WE NEED PARTNERS LIKE DALLAS COLLEGE, TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THAT PROGRAM, THE ONES WE KNOW ARE GOING TO EVOLVE THAT DO NOT EVEN EXIST TODAY.

PROGRAMS LIKE THIS WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT.

I TALKED A LOT WITH MY PEERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HOW EXCITED WE ARE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CREATING A SKILL PATH TO GET POSITIONS.

>> JENNIFER, AMAZING TO HEAR ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT BANK OF AMERICA IS DOING.

CAN YOU TELL ME, DO YOU WANT TO SEE STUDENTS OF COLOR COME TO WORK FOR BANK OF AMERICA OR HAPPY TO SEE THEM FIND EMPLOYMENT WITH ANY COMPANY?

>> A GREAT QUESTION.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

SOMETIMES THE MISCONCEPTION IS THIS IS JUST FOR US.

SELFISHLY WE WANT TO.

I AM BORN AND RAISED IN DALLAS.

I WOULD SAY INCREDIBLE PROGRAM.

OVERALL, IT FEEDS OUR BROADER COMMUNITY AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT.

NOT JUST FOR US.

I AM ON COMMITTEES, AND OTHER BIG BANKS, WE ARE DOING THIS IN LOCKSTEP.

A PATHWAY TO CYBERSECURITY OR SOMETHING WITH FINANCIAL SERVICES WE WANT THAT TO BENEFIT EVERYBODY.

WHAT LESLIE JUST TALKED ABOUT, REALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

SO LOOKING TO BRING ALL TYPES TOGETHER.

DO NOT WANT TO DUPLICATE EFFORTS EITHER.

ONE THING THAT HAS GONE ON SO MANY OF US OVER THE YEARS.

THROWING OUT SOME BIG NUMBERS TODAY BETWEEN THE TWO OF US SO FAR.

THAT COLLABORATION WORKING TOGETHER, MAKE THIS WORK.

MORE EFFICIENT WAY TO BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO LOOK, WE WILL BE IN LOCKSTEP WITH OUR OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS.

EVEN SMALL EMPLOYERS ARE LEARNING BY WHAT WE ARE DOING TO GO OUT AND GET THE WORKFORCE THEY NEED.

ALSO ADD, AS MUCH AS A JOB, WORKING TO HELP PEOPLE FIND CAREERS.

APPLYING TO A CAREER.

WORKING TO MAKE SURE IT IS A FULL CAREER.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK INCREASING OUR MINIMUM WAGE $25 AN HOUR.

THAT IS HUGE.

NOT EVERY COMPANY CAN DO THAT.

WE ARE IN A POSITION THAT WE CAN.

SO THIS CAN BE A STEP IN THE DOOR TO A FULL CAREER.

WE ALSO WRAPAROUND RESOURCES LIKE LITERACY, HELP BUY THEIR FIRST HOME.

THE REASON I RAISED THAT, A LOT OF THOSE RESOURCES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, HOME OWNERSHIP, WE WORK WITH MANY OTHER EMPLOYERS ACROSS OTHER INDUSTRIES TO SHARE THOSE RESOURCES AS WELL.

WITH THEIR FIRM, SOMEONE INTO A JOB, A CAREER AND FINANCIAL LITERACY.

FINANCIAL STABILITY OVER TIME.

>> $25 AN HOUR.

THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

I HOPE EVERYBODY WHO WAS JOINING US TODAY, LOOKING FOR A JOB, DEFINITELY HEARD THAT.

THAT IS AMAZING.

SPECIFICALLY CAN YOU TELL US FOR BANK OF AMERICA'S WORKFORCE NEEDS, WHAT ARE THE OPERATIONAL AREAS WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE DIVERSITY? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST TALENT SHORTAGES IN THE MARKET?

>> A GREAT QUESTION.

AGAIN, VERY TRANSPARENT.

SEE EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE, PLEASED TO SAY OUR WORKFORCE IS VERY DIVERSE.

50 PERCENT WOMAN.

PEOPLE OF COLOR, THOSE NUMBERS ARE VERY STRONG.

STILL CLEAR GAPS, SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION DIRECTLY WE NEED TO KEEP

[00:25:04]

ELEVATING OUR TALENT TO HIGHER POSITIONS IN THE FIRM AND OUR BOARD.

REALLY LEADING THE WAY.

LOVE TO DO THAT MORE LOCALLY.

WE HAVE A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM I HELPED DEVELOP.

CALLED OUR FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM.

DIVERSE TALENT WE ARE CONTINUING TO BRING UP, SO PLEASED TO SAY NOW, I LOOK AROUND THE TABLE AND IT VERY MUCH IS NEARING OUR POPULATION.

SPECIFIC TO POSITIONS, ALWAYS LOOKING AT TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS.

CYBERSECURITY.

ALL OF THE ONES YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH HEARING.

IT GOES UP ON A DAILY BASIS.

ANY GIVEN TIME IN NORTH TEXAS, 300 OPENINGS, DEPENDS ON THE TIME.

THAT IS ALWAYS A NEED.

ALWAYS IN NEED OF BILINGUAL FOLKS.

THINK ABOUT OUR BANKING CENTERS, WHETHER A CALL CENTER, THAT BILINGUAL SKILL IS IMPORTANT.

WHENEVER I TALK TO A SCHOOLS OR COLLEGES, REMIND FOLKS WHAT A GREAT ASPECT THAT IS.

I OFTEN FIND PEOPLE DOWNPLAYED THAT SKILL SET.

THIRD, THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE DOESN'T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE IT IS TODAY.

ADAPTABLE, HAVE THOSE SOFT SKILLS.

I FIND THAT AS WELL, SOMETIMES FOLKS DO NOT REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT THOSE SKILLS ARE.

SO I WOULD SAY, WE LOOK FOR THAT, ALL OF THOSE SOFT SKILLS, IF YOU CAN COME INTO A FIRM LIKE BANK OF AMERICA YOU WILL SUCCEED AND GROW IN THIS FIRM.

I AM AN EXAMPLE OF IT.

WE SEE THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THAT THIRD ONE WHICH ARE THE SOFT SKILLS.

>> JENNIFER, PLEASE REMIND US HOW DOES SOMEBODY APPLY FOR ONE OF THESE JOBS?

>> SO OF COURSE OUR WEBSITE.

BANK OF AMERICA.COM.

BUT TO BE HONEST, VERY DILIGENT.

MYSELF PERSONALLY GOING TO YOUR WEBSITE, CHECKING ON A DAILY BASIS.

I WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.

MY PARTNERS WERE LAUGHING.

WE SHOULD BE VISIBLE THERE AS WELL.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY, ANY MAJOR EMPLOYER, WE ARE A BIG COMPANY.

I THINK FROM TIME TO TIME PEOPLE CAN FEEL LOST IN THIS COMPUTER APPLICATION AND GOING ONLINE.

DOING A LOT OF WORK ON THAT TO MAKE SURE THE POSITION IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND IN ENGLISH.

SO I WOULD SAY, BUILD THAT OUT OVER TIME.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOUR SKILLS AND QUALITIES.

ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY FOR THE POSITIONS YOU HAVE, MAYBE TWO OR THREE OF THE SKILLS VERSUS ALL FIVE.

WORKING TO MAKE SURE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES INTO THE CREDENTIALS.

THE DALLAS COLLEGE STUDENTS, THOSE ARE THE ONES WE ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT.

THE WEBSITE IS A GREAT ONE.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GREAT TALENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JENNIFER FOR SHARING THAT WITH US BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET A LOT OF FOLKS TO APPLY.

THANK YOU.

SO NOW GO ON TO 110.

110 IS A COALITION OF EXECUTIVES WHO ARE COMING TOGETHER TO UPSCALE, HIGHER AND ADVANCE A MILLION BLACK INDIVIDUALS IN AMERICA OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

INTO FAMILY JOBS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT.

110 CONNECTS EMPLOYERS WITH TALENT PARTNERS, NONPROFITS WHO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF DIVERSE TALENT.

NOW, MAURICE JONES WAS UNABLE TO JOIN US TODAY.

GOING TO ASK MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, BEN TO TELL US MORE ABOUT 110 >> THANK YOU.

WE JUST HEARD FROM MAURICE, SENT HIS APOLOGIES.

VERY BUSY.

THIS IS A NATIONWIDE EFFORT, THEY HAVE REALLY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN DALLAS.

REALLY CAME IN WITH A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM CORPORATE PARTNERS LIKE BANK OF AMERICA AND MANY OTHERS.

YOU KNOW DOUG IN IMMEDIATELY WITH US WITH DALLAS COLLEGE AND NONPROFITS, OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

THE REASON YOU KNOW, I WILL DO MY BEST TO REPRESENT THIS.

MAYBE OUR PARTNERS CAN CHIME IN TOO.

THE REASON THIS IS YOU KNOW SO IMPORTANT, I THINK WE REALIZE COMING OUT OF YOU KNOW THIS RECESSION AND UNEMPLOYMENT, IS THAT I THINK WE UNDERSTAND THAT A

[00:30:02]

MORE DIVERSE WORKFORCE IS MORE SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE.

YOU KNOW PEOPLE COLOR, MORE IMPACTED BY THIS RECESSION.

SO THE MORE THAT WE CAN POUR INTO COLLECTIVELY ADVANCING PEOPLE OF COLOR, CREATES NOT ONLY MORE OPPORTUNITIES BUT A STRONGER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE.

MOVING FORWARD.

SO I THINK WHAT 110 IS AIMING TO DO IS RIGHT ON TARGET.

SEEMS TO BE COMING OUT FROM A GOOD DIRECTION FROM A COALITION BUILDING STANDPOINT.

COMING TO TOWN AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT EFFORTS ARE CURRENTLY GOING ON ACROSS INSTITUTIONS.

ACROSS CORPORATE PARTNERS AND NONPROFITS.

SO A LOT OF GREAT WORK THERE.

MORE TO REPORT IN THE FUTURE.

INVITE OUR OTHER PANELISTS TO CHIME IN ON THE WORK THAT IS HAPPENING WITH ONE HAND AS WELL IF THEY ARE ABLE TO COMMENT.

>> I AM HAPPY TO CHIME IN.

A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH MEMORIES.

EARLY ON CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH BRIAN, IT WAS SO NICE TO SEE HOW QUICKLY WE CONNECTED RIGHT HERE IN DALLAS.

A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN ALL COLLABORATE AND WORK TOGETHER.

I THINK THAT DALLAS COMMUNITY HAS GOTTEN MUCH BETTER ABOUT THAT OVER TIME.

PROBABLY ADD ANOTHER CALL WITH SOMEONE IN DALLAS.

I HAVE SEEN HIM IN CHAMBER CALLS.

THAT IS WHEN YOU KNOW WE ARE MOVING THE DIAL.

NOT ONLY BRINGING OUR TALENT IN THE DOOR, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE A CAREER.

SO SURPASSED SOME OF OUR OBJECTIVES, WE ARE STILL A HUGE PARTNER WITH 110.

HELP US ATTRACTING NEW TALENT AND ACROSS THE CHAIN.

THE GROWTH IN DALLAS MAKES IT PRIME FOR 110.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE POPULATION GROWTH WE HAVE, THE COMPANIES RELOCATING HERE, IF DALLAS FIGURES THIS OUT, THE NUMBER OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES, IT MOVES THE DIAL FOR EVERY OTHER MAJOR MARKET I WOULD IMAGINE.

IT IS GREAT TO BE PARTNERED WITH THEM.

>> I WOULD ECHO THIS.

I THINK WHAT HAS BEEN A REALLY EXCITING ASPECT, WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT HAS CHANGED, THE EXCITEMENT THAT YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

I THINK THE COLLABORATION OF CORPORATIONS, OF ALL OF THESE ORIENTATIONS TO IDENTIFY WHAT ARE THE TRUE BARRIERS, HOW DO WE ADDRESS THEM.

HOW DO WE GET RESULTS.

I THINK IS A EXCITING THING.

THAT ONE 10 REALLY EMBODIES.

EXCITING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING HOW YOU KNOW DIFFERENT COMPANIES CAN WORK TOGETHER, COLLABORATE.

FOR THE BETTER OF THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK YOU ALL IN BODY THAT IN YOUR COMPANIES.

THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS.

SO NOW LIKE TO ASK EACH OF OUR GUESTS TO FIND THEIR FINAL THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S TOPICS.

SHARE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

ON YOUR COMPANY OR WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES.

WE WILL START WITH THE LESLIE AT PEPSICO.

>> SORRY.

THE BIGGEST THING, JUST SUCH AN EXCITING THING TO BE A PART OF RIGHT, A LOT OF ITEMS IN THIS INITIATIVE.

EVEN OUTSIDE OF THE DALLAS COLLEGE.

A LOT OF THE THINGS, HOW WE ARE TRYING TO APPROACH SUPPORTING GROWTH IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

I JUST KEEP FALLING BACK ON THIS TRANSFORMATIVE.

THE EXCITEMENT I HAVE FOR THIS PROGRAM, FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP IS THE NATURE THAT HOPE IT WILL HAVE WITH IN BOTH OUR COMMUNITY BUT PARTICULARLY WITH ALL OF THE STUDENTS THAT WE CHARGE.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE MONEY.

I KEEP JOKING WITH OUR TEAM, I WANT THE EXPERIENCE TO BE WORTH MORE THAN THE MONEY.

THAT IS 25 GRAND.

A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE GETTING TOUCHES WITH EXECUTIVES.

LEARNING ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAREERS.

ALL OF THE DIFFERENT VENUES AND PLACES YOU CAN GO.

WITH THESE SKILL SETS.

THIS INVESTMENT IN THEMSELVES, GOING TO PAY DIVIDEND NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR THE GENERATIONS BEHIND THEM.

SO I AM JUST EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THIS TRANSFORMATION.

[00:35:04]

JUST SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS.

TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES, ABLE TO ENGAGE.

I DON'T WANT ONE DOLLAR ON THE TABLE, NO DOLLARS LEFT ON THE TABLE.

EVERY PIECE OF THIS INVESTMENT TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT.

VERY EXCITED ABOUT BEING A PART OF IT AND SO EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH THIS TEAM.

>> THANK YOU.

WE ARE SO HAPPY TO TAKE ANY MONEY THAT YOU HAVE FROM YOUR TABLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JENNIFER.

>> I WOULD SAY THE SAME THING.

I LOVE HEARING YOU SAY, I AGREE.

THE SAME THING WITH US.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE TIME WE ARE IN, THE GROWTH IN NORTH TEXAS.

HOW MANY OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU HAVE LIKE THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS GETTING THE WORD OUT.

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT.

FOR ME JUST LIKE THAT WAS LESLIE, NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

FOR US THIS SKILL TRAINING.

THE WORK WITH DALLAS COLLEGE.

THAT HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM, GOING TO MENTION IT ONE MORE TIME.

FOLKS CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

17,000 THAT COVERS THE CLOSING COST, UPFRONT FEES FOR A HOME.

INTEREST RATES VERY LOW.

SO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, THE $25 MINIMUM WAGE.

WE ARE COMMITTED.

A MATTER OF PUTTING THOSE DOLLARS TO WORK.

PARTNERING.

AS LESLIE MENTIONED TOO, NOT JUST THE DOLLARS PAID YOU HAVE THAT MENTORSHIP, YOU HAVE THAT TUITION REIMBURSEMENT TO CONTINUE EDUCATION.

THE SKILL TRAINING IF YOU WANT TO GO A DIFFERENT PATH.

YOU CAN BE ANYTHING.

IF YOU DECIDE YOU ARE DOWN ONE PATH AND WANT TO GO ANOTHER WE HELP YOU IN THAT.

WORKING COLLECTIVELY.

ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES, A TIME LIKE NO OTHER TO DO THAT.

ALSO THAT MINDSET, BE THE CHANGE.

ON ALL OF US NOW I THINK.

FOR US AS A FIRM WE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT RESPONSIBLE GROWTH.

THAT REVENUE TO GO TO ALL OF THESE GREAT THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

VERY HAPPY TO DO IT.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH EACH COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

SO 70 PROGRAMS, A MATTER OF GETTING THE WORD OUT.

WE APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH DALLAS COLLEGE TO DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

THAT HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM, I MEAN THAT ESPECIALLY WITH THE DIFFICULTY RIGHT NOW WITH A SHORTAGE IN THE MARKET, THE RISING COSTS, THAT COULD BE A GAME CHANGER FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEIR FIRST HOME.

JUST BECAUSE OF YOU KNOW THE DEPOSIT.

SO THANK YOU.

TO YOU AND BANK OF AMERICA FOR DOING THAT AND FOR SHARING THAT WITH US.

THANK YOU.

ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US TODAY BEFORE WE CLOSE?

>> THANK YOU.

FROM THE DALLAS COLLEGE STANDPOINT, THE MOVE TO DALLAS COLLEGE REFLEX THAT UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO COLLABORATIVE ADDRESS THE BARRIERS, ALSO WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT WE ARE NOT LIVING ANY STONE UNTURNED.

THAT WE ARE PREPARING STUDENTS AND GETTING THEM ENGAGED WITH OUR EMPLOYER PARTNERS VERY EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS.

NOT ONCE THEY ARE GRADUATED AND LOOKING FOR A JOB BUT HOW DO WE ADD ENROLLMENT, ENGAGE THEM WITH OUR PARTNERS WHETHER THROUGH MENTORING OR INTERNSHIPS.

OR APPRENTICESHIPS.

SO WE ARE CERTAINLY APPROACHING THINGS FROM THAT STANDPOINT TO COLLABORATIVELY CREATE MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU TO OUR PANELISTS FOR JOINING US.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WE DO HAVE A FEW MORE MINUTES.

IF YOU COULD TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT DALLAS COLLEGE WILL BE DOING TO MAKE SURE TO CONTINUE THESE PARTNERSHIPS.

TO BENEFIT OUR STUDENTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO IN THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TEAM, WE HAVE A TEAM CALLED THE EMPLOYER RESOURCE CENTER.

WORKING TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND, LIKE I SAID BEFORE NOT LEAVE ANY STONE UNTURNED FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE, TO PUT STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS TOGETHER.

IN EVERY WAY WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYERS ARE YOU KNOW GETTING ALL THE

[00:40:04]

VALUE AND ALL THE BENEFIT THAT DALLAS COLLEGE HAS TO OFFER.

IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE.

SO THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE THE FOCUS MOVING FORWARD.

DOING THAT NOT ONLY FROM A STANDPOINT, WHERE WE HAVE CREATED NEW TEAMS AND NEW PROCESSES, BUT ALSO FROM A TECHNOLOGY STANDPOINT AS WELL.

EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS, HELPING EMPLOYERS TO BUILD THAT TALENT PIPELINE AND FILL THOSE JOBS, CONTINUE TO GROW THE ECONOMY HERE IN DALLAS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU.

EVERYBODY JOINING, I KNOW WE GOT A LOT OF GOOD CONTENT.

THANK YOU TO LESLIE, JENNIFER AND BEN.

TRULY MOVED OF ALL OF THE EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN WITH DALLAS COLLEGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.

TO SUM UP THE DAY, NOT KNOWING WHAT THEY WANTED FROM THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION.

DALLAS COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE ASKED TO THINK PURPOSEFULLY ABOUT A CAREER, GEAR THEIR STUDIES TO THAT MAXIMIZING THEIR EMPLOYABILITY.

STUDENTS JOURNEYS AT DALLAS COLLEGE BASICALLY START WITH THE AND MACK IN MIND.

A WELL PAYING JOB, SECURITY NEEDED FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE.

JUST THAT SIMPLE.

BUT GETTING THERE IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.

THE REALITY IS THAT MANY STUDENTS ARE ONE EMERGENCY AWAY FROM WIPING OUT THEIR FUNDS AND REDUCING THE CHANCE OF GRADUATING OR OBTAINING THE CERTIFICATE.

THE HELP OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, DALLAS COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES IN THE AREAS OF FINANCIAL AID, SHELTER, INSECURITY AND TRANSPORTATION AMONG OTHERS.

DALLAS COLLEGE HAS FOUNDED A NUMBER OF INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HELP OF OUR DEDICATED PARTNERS.

LIKE YOU.

PROVIDE THE PRECONDITIONS FOR DAILY AND LIFELONG EDUCATION.

WITH THE MOST BASIC OF NEEDS, NONE OF WHICH CAN BE IGNORED.

IN THE RIGHT MINDSET TO RECEIVE EDUCATION, ENROLL IN A CAREER.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR DOING, WE LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH YOU ALL.

IN FUTURE INITIATIVES.

TO OUR ATTENDEES, WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED TODAY'S TOWN HALL.

WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR FUTURE EVENTS.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.