Equity & Inclusion
KentuckianaWorks recognizes that decades of unfair civic, housing, and workforce policy have created systemic inequities for African American job seekers. As a result, our economy suffers from wage disparities and occupational segregation.
With this in mind, we have made promoting racial equity a foundational pillar of our organization’s Values and strategic priorities. By promoting racial equity, we mean confronting the workforce barriers that exist for Black workers in the Louisville region so that race does not negatively impact their career opportunities or success.
Disparities at a Glance
The deficits in economic resources and opportunities available for Black Americans compared to other groups is well-documented. You can see in the charts below that, even when adjusting for education and training levels, significant disparities persist between Black and white residents of the Louisville region.
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Black workers are also underrepresented across a number of high wage sectors, including engineering, technology, and finance. The chart below shows the glaring deficit of Black workers in these sectors in the Louisville region.
Generation Work
Supporting area youth-serving organizations and employers to be more responsive to the needs of young adults of color by prioritizing worker voice, positive youth development and racial equity principles.
Initiative active until December 2025
Disparity addressed: Black workers are overrepresented in low-wage roles.
Local Partners: Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Metro United Way, Blueprint 502 (formerly known as YouthBuild Louisville). Employer partners have included Norton Healthcare, Republic Bank, Kentucky Kingdom, Belle of Louisville, Goodwill, and UPS.
Upskilling Refugee Workers
Our refugee employer engagement program (REEP) is designed to help empower refugees and better integrate them into their workplaces at partner organizations.
Initiative active through September 2026
Disparity addressed: Inequitable access to good jobs
Local Partner: Jewish Family & Career Services
Research & News
Helpful Resources
Want to tell us something?
KentuckianaWorks recognizes that there are many more aspects of inclusion than race alone. Each of the workforce readiness programs we fund strive to provide equal and just access to job seekers.
Has that been your experience with the local workforce system? We would like to hear your feedback, positive or negative, so we can address concerns and make improvements.
You can submit a message to us below. If you would like your message to be anonymous, just leave the Name and Email fields blank. Thanks!