GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Around 100 freshmen and sophomores from Appleton-area high schools are attending a program to prepare for the workforce.
The program is hosted by Pointters Community Initiatives, a non-profit organization made to create opportunities for minorities.
No matter a person’s race, there are career opportunities available in the Fox Valley — that’s the message a group of teens heard Thursday morning.
“I want to go into interior design and just help people become happier in their home and things like that,” said Alayna Hayden-Ivory.
She’s a current sophomore at Appleton North High School. Being a member of a racial minority group, she tells FOX 11 she’s dealt with unpleasant situations.
“I’ve experienced people not wanting to be my friends or speak to me and things because we’re different or their parents kind of looking at me differently because I look different than them.”
Oladimeji Tomori knows what it’s like.
“I lost my job three or four years ago, and I found that it’s tough to get back into the business world,” said Tomori.
Tomori, founder and owner of PCI, says this program affects him on a deeply personal level.
According to PCI, 40% of Black African workers aren’t employed within the Fox Valley.
“The reason is because of the challenges being faced by the minority,” said Tomori. “I’ve been asked to change my name to Tom so that I can get a better opportunities and get recruited.”
According to the Appleton Area School District, 67.6% of students during the 2020-2021 school year were white.
The total number of students of color was 35%.
But Palee Moua, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for AASD, says the demographic jumped this year.
“Our racial ethnic students of color demographic is about 37%, so that number is increasing every single year.”
The Career Focus Program features a robust lineup — which includes resume building and interview sessions, networking with employers and more.
Deante Jefferson, advisor with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, says the event showcases the many opportunities here in the area.
“We are specifically supporting Black and African American students to not only be on track to graduate but have those opportunities post-secondary.”
That’s something Hayden-Ivory says she’ll take on.
“I’m hoping to just make a change in peoples lives and make it a better environment for everyone to live in.”
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