The American labor market is characterized by persistent racial segregation and disparities. For Black and Latine workers, unemployment rates consistently exceed those of white workers. Because of extreme economic and racial segregation in cities like Chicago, these disparities disproportionately impact a concentrated set of communities. 

Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Skills) works to bridge the gap between employer needs and unseen talent. The organization works closely with employers in the Chicago area to understand their hiring needs and practices. Skills then connects employers to talented job seekers who would otherwise likely be excluded by their standard application process. Skills sources its talent pool by targeting under- and unemployed jobseekers from communities facing economic discrimination and disinvestment.  

In partnership with Skills, the Inclusive Economy Lab is studying study the long-run impact of demand-driven workforce development programs and more deeply understand the factors contributing to racial and ethnic disparities in the labor market.