About IEBWC

OUR VISION

Our vision is to create a thriving and equitable community where Black Workers in the Inland Empire region have access to dignified, family sustaining wages, fair treatment, and opportunities to build economic power. We envision a future where systemic barriers are dismantled, racial equity is achieved, and Black Workers lead prosperous lives and shape their own destinies. Through organizing, policy change, and workforce development, we strive to build a society that values and uplifts the contributions and well-being of Black Workers.

OUR BACKGROUND

Established in 2021, the Inland Empire Black Worker Center unites union organizers, community builders, educators, and faith leaders to combat the unemployment crisis affecting the Black community in the Inland Empire. We provide a space for Black Workers to learn, analyze economic challenges, build power, and develop solutions together. Our vision is to create a thriving and equitable community where Black Workers in the Inland Empire region have access to dignified, family-sustainable employment and fair treatment. We envision a future where systemic barriers are dismantled, racial equity is achieved, and Black Workers lead prosperous lives and shape their own destinies. Through organizing, policy change, and workforce development, we strive to build a society that values and uplifts the contributions and well-being of Black Workers.

The Inland Empire, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is home to a growing Black population that faces distinct labor market challenges. Despite being a vital part of the region’s workforce, Black Workers experience higher unemployment rates, job insecurity, and limited access to high-wage industries (Smallwood-Cuevas, et al., 2024). The Inland Empire Black Worker Center (IEBWC) was established to address these disparities, serving as a dedicated advocate for economic justice and workforce equity (Cuevas, S., Reese, & Rettberg, 2020).

As a community-driven organization, the IEBWC is committed to eliminating racial inequities in employment and ensuring Black Workers in the Inland Empire have access to quality jobs, fair wages, and opportunities for professional growth. Through collective action, policy advocacy, and community engagement, we work to dismantle barriers and drive meaningful, lasting change (Lee, Lopez, & Gonzalez-Vasquez, 2022).

Since our inception, we have engaged in education, organizing, and policy advocacy to advance Black Workers (Sohail, Thomas, & Wangari, 2023). We collaborate with labor unions, community organizations, and policymakers to develop solutions that foster an inclusive and just labor market. By amplifying Worker voices, cultivating leadership, and advocating for systemic reforms, we strive to create sustainable economic opportunities.

References:

Smallwood-Cuevas, L., S. C., Reese, E., & Rettberg, G. (2020). Ain't No Sunshine: The State of Black Workers and …………..Demands for a Brighter Future in the Inland Empire. The Center for Social Innovation at UC Riverside.

Lee, K. L., Lopez, M., & Gonzalez-Vasquez, A. L. (2022). New Directions in Racial and Economic Justice: How …………..California's Worker Centers Are Bringing Worker Power into Workforce Development. UCLA Labor Center.

Sohail, O., Thomas, D., & Wangari, L. (2023). Unlocking Potential: The Inland Empire Black Worker Center's …………..Transformative IE Works Program. UCLA Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity at Work.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN SUMMARY

The Inland Empire Black Worker Center (IEBWC) is proud to present this strategic plan as our comprehensive roadmap for transformative change. This plan details our key priorities, measurable goals, and concrete action steps designed to dismantle systemic barriers and elevate the economic and professional status of Black Workers in the Inland Empire. Grounded in a theory of systems change (Stroh, 2015; Blackwell, 2017) and Black cultural values (Karenga, , the IEBWC implements a holistic approach that interconnects policy advocacy, workforce development, and community engagement to dismantle structural barriers and advance economic justice for Black Workers.

The IEBWC was created to transform the systemic inequities that Black Workers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties face, including higher unemployment, job insecurity, and limited access to high-wage opportunities (Smallwood-Cuevas, S., Reese, & Rettberg, 2020; Thomas, Murphy, Smallwood-Cuevas, & Izuogo, 2022). At its core, the IEBWC envisions a future where Black Workers lead a movement that secures quality employment, fosters economic and social mobility, and achieves transformative policy change. By organizing Black Workers around shared interests and challenges, the Center seeks to reconfigure the existing workforce system to ensure fair treatment, family-sustainable employment, and economic advancement.

References:

Blackwell, A. G. (2017). The curb-cut effect. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 15(1), 28-33. PolicyLink Equity …………..Manifesto

Karenga, M. (1997). Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. University of Sankore Press.

Smallwood-Cuevas, L., S. C., Reese, E., & Rettberg, G. (2020). Ain't No Sunshine: The State of Black Workers and …………..Demands for a Brighter Future in the Inland Empire. The Center for Social Innovation at UC Riverside.

Stroh, D. P. (2015). Systems thinking for social change: A practical guide to solving complex problems, avoiding …………..unintended consequences, and achieving lasting results. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Thomas, D., Murphy, D. M., Smallwood-Cuevas, L., & Izuogo, A. (2022). Essential Stories: Black Worker COVID-19 …………..Economic Health Impact Survey. UCLA Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity At Work.

OUR KEY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Workforce Development

Enhancing educational opportunities and job training programs to equip Black Workers with the skills needed for high-wage industries.

Policy Advocacy

Organizing and influencing policy reforms to address systemic inequities and promote racial equity.

Community Partnerships

Building robust alliances with local organizations to amplify the voices of Black Workers and mobilize community support

Sustainability

Strengthening internal operations and fund development to ensure the long-term impact and resilience of the organization.

This strategic framework reflects a comprehensive theory of systems change—one that recognizes the interconnected nature of individual, organizational, and systemic factors. The IEBWC is committed to catalyzing transformative change in the Inland Empire by shifting power dynamics, dismantling structural inequities, and creating a more just, thriving future for Black Workers and their communities.

OUR CORE VALUES