Representative Rick Staples (D- District 15) and the Tennessee Department of Labor will meet to discuss the state of poverty in the East Tennessee region, particularly in the African American community.  The meeting will focus on the coordination and collaboration of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, the Knox county commission, the Knoxville City and County Mayor’s office, and Mid-Cumberland and local faith based and community organizations to develop workforce programming for low income, underemployed and formerly incarcerated youth and adults.

Rep. Staples said, “With Knoxville leading the state in African American poverty, we need to begin the process of developing a comprehensive plan that has input from all sectors of government and the community that can address this problem.”

The meeting will include a workforce overview, local workforce profile, and a presentation on American Job Centers and will take place on January 6, 2020 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Change Center, which is located at 203 Harriet Tubman Street.