“American Black Journal” brings you a portion of the 5th annual Detroit Future City Equity Forum, which focuses on ensuring African Americans and other minorities in Detroit get equitable access to quality jobs and careers in Michigan.  

The event featured conversations on equity, inclusion and the future of work with local speakers and experts. It also explored how companies of all sizes can help bridge educational and skill gaps to provide better employment opportunities and higher incomes to residents in the region. Detroit PBS will livestream a portion of the forum at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Host Stephen Henderson moderates an important conversation with four workforce changemakers: Dr. Brian Smith of the Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen; Kim Trent from the State of Michigan Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) Department; Marvin Figaro of Kelly Services; and Scott Alan Davis from Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics (SEEL).

The panelists talk about their individual careers and workplaces and how they are helping to advance economic equity for Detroiters now and into the future. Plus, they discuss strategies on how to prepare prospective workers for high-paying jobs and help them make the professional connections that will enable them to be successful in their careers.