Business

At Black Caucus Conf. in D.C., Sen. Laphonza Butler Talks About AI, Jobs, Black Newspapers, and More

At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, held from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 15 in Washington, DC, Sen. Laphonza Bulter (D-Calif.) participated in a number of panel discussions covering a range of topics, including Artificial Intelligence Black women’s health and empowerment. On Sept. 12, Butler hosted a panel discussion titled “AI and Economic Empowerment in Black Communities.”

Published

2 years ago

September 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Members of the Black press met with Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) last week. Left to right, they are; Southern California Observer News Group Publisher James Lucky, LA Focus Publisher Lisa Collins, Senator Butler, Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee and Brian Townsend, precinct reporter.

By Tanu Henry

California Black Media

On Sept. 12, Butler hosted a panel discussion titled “AI and Economic Empowerment in Black Communities.”

During that discussion, Butler joined other leaders in AI to emphasize the importance of embracing AI in Black communities and using the technology to create economic opportunities. Other panelists included Megan Holston-Alexander, Partner and Head of the Cultural Leadership Fund at Andreessen Horowitz; Tyrance Billingsley II, Founder and Executive Director of Black Tech Street; DeVaris Brown, CEO and Co-Founder of Meroxa and John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE.

“Fewer people are going to be required across broader industries, particularly those in white-collar, traditionally white-collar positions,” said Butler to conference attendees. “Let’s take this moment today to get ahead of some of those workplace challenges.”

That same day, Butler and Sen. Mazie Horono (D-Hawaii) introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate called the Workforce of the Future Act. That bill proposes a $250 million federal government investment in educating and preparing students and workers in marginalized communities for jobs in AI.

“The purpose of this legislation is to solidify our commitment to today’s – as well as tomorrow’s – workers, preparing them to work in tandem with AI and to be ready for the jobs of the future” said Butler in a statement released Sept. 12.

That evening, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, an organization serving and representing historically Black news outlets around the country, also honored Butler for her support of Black-owned media over the years.

Butler said she is intimately aware of the critical role Black-owned newspapers have played in informing the communities they have served over the last 197 years since the first Black-owned newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was published in the United States.

“Thank you for bringing us this far. And thank you for what you will do to continue to inform our communities, making sure our voices are represented in the publishing and media space,” said Butler.

At the conference, Butler also participated in a panel discussion on the Black women’s maternal health crisis and delivered remarks on about Black communities gaining access to the financial sector and capital at an event hosted by The Connective Capital Consortium Braintrust.

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Activism

‘Hire Oakland’ Job Fair Draws 2,000, Connecting Residents to Immediate Job Opportunities

Oakland’s Hire Oakland job fair, hosted by Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, connected over 2,000 job seekers with employers, highlighting a strong demand for quality jobs and career pathways in the city.

Published

46 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Left to right: Yawo Tekpa, OPIC Manager, One Stop Operator; Sofia Navarro, Deputy City Administrator; and Ray Lankford, CEO of the Oakland Private Industry Council. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.

By Post Staff

The Office of Mayor Barbara Lee, in partnership with the City of Oakland and regional employers, hosted a successful Hire Oakland job fair this week at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, bringing together job seekers and employers for a day focused on opportunity, connection, and economic mobility.

With more than 2,000 RSVPs, the event on Wednesday reflected strong demand across Oakland for access to quality jobs and career pathways. Attendees participated in on-site recruitment, application support, and hands-on workshops designed to help job seekers navigate hiring processes and prepare for interviews.

Over the course of the day, employers and community partners engaged directly with residents in a welcoming, high-energy environment centered on opportunity and hope. Participating employers included EBMUD, Samuel Merritt University, the City of Oakland, BART, PG&E, AC Transit, East Bay Regional Parks District, Southwest Airlines, FedEx, and many others offering immediate openings and career pathways across sectors.

Workforce development partners Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC) and Lao Family Community Development provided connections to résumé support, interview coaching, and individualized job search assistance throughout the event.

The strong turnout underscores a clear reality: Oakland residents are eager for pathways into meaningful work, and sustained investment in youth and workforce programs is essential.

That is why Mayor Lee has prioritized relaunching the Oakland Police Cadet Program and the Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP)—ensuring young people have early access to paid work experience, mentorship, and long-term career pathways, according to a City press statement.

“The turnout shows what we already know—Oaklanders are ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to build their futures here at home,” said Lee. “When we connect people directly to employers and invest in young people early, we are not just filling jobs—we are changing lives and strengthening our city’s future.”

The Hire Oakland job fair is part of the City’s broader effort to strengthen workforce pipelines, expand access to good-paying jobs, and ensure Oakland residents are first in line for local opportunity.

About Hire OaklandHire Oakland is a citywide workforce initiative led by the Office of Mayor Barbara Lee in partnership with City departments, workforce development organizations, and regional employers. The program connects Oakland job seekers to real-time hiring opportunities, training resources, and career pathways.