Now Fully Staffed, the Hub is Better Poised to Undertake Key Projects to Advance Policy Campaigns Supporting So Cal Black Workers

Jallil Austin (courtesy photo)

On July 15th, The Southern California Black Worker Hub, a regional alliance that advocates for Black low-wage and unwaged workers to have access to quality jobs and equitable workplace conditions, announced that they have fully staffed its start-up team. With staff in place, the Hub is better positioned to advance its advocacy campaigns and policies that support Black workers throughout California. 

Jalil Austin was brought on board as Program Manager for the Hub. In this role, Austin will oversee the Hub’s staff and the organization’s campaign initiatives. Austin has nearly a decade of experience working for nonprofits and governmental agencies based in New York. He has worked in fundraising and research for the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, New York City Department of Education, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. 

Elda Solomon (courtesy photo)

“As the new Program Manager of the Southern California Black Worker Hub, I’m excited about the growth and new opportunities that are happening at the Hub, the Black Worker Centers in Los Angeles, San Diego and Inland Empire, and our coalition partners,” said Austin. “Even with the pandemic, we are thriving and elevating the voices of Black workers who are still mistreated and underrepresented in Southern California’s workforce. Together, we will continue to put in the hard work to help build power among Black workers and their communities in Southern California, expand access to high-quality careers, reduce employment discrimination, and ensure that work industries seek Black talent.” 

Elda Solomon (courtesy photo)

The Hub, through a partnership with Unemployed Workers United, has hired Elda Solomon to serve as the organization’s Policy Manager. Solomon will work specifically on the Build Back Better for All California Resolution Campaign as well as Executive Order 11246 that requires federal contractors to conduct non-discriminatory hiring practices. Solomon, who earned a Master’s of Arts degree in African American Studies from UCLA, formerly served as a graduate student researcher for the UCLA Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity (CARE) at Work. 

Additionally, Taylor Jackson has joined the Hub as its Regional Organizer, and Alyce Monet has joined the organization as its Regional Development Director. Jackson previously worked as a field representative for the Progressive Turnout Project during the 2020 election; an organizer for Black Phoenix Organizing Collective; and Vice President of Amnesty International at Arizona State University. Monet began her career in fund development, and she holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Nonprofit Management.  

Alyce Monet (courtesy photo)

The Hub team is supported by Jacie Rowe, who serves as the Campaign Project Consultant to the organization. Now fully staffed, the Hub team is excited for the work and campaigns to come! 

The Southern California Black Worker Hub for Regional Organizing advocates for the economic empowerment of Black workers throughout the region by supporting Black Worker Centers in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and San Diego as they fight for economic inclusion and opportunity for the region’s Black workers. By serving as a resource for all three worker centers, the Hub is advancing Black economic opportunity throughout the region, creating a more equitable Southern California. For more information about the Hub, please visit the organization’s website here.