The Work We Do, The Lives We Live Art Exhibit & Competition

Established in 2021, the Inland Empire Black Worker Center unites union organizers, community builders, educators, and faith leaders to combat the unemployment crisis affecting the Black community in the Inland Empire. We provide a space for Black Workers to learn, analyze economic challenges, build power, and develop solutions together. Our vision is to create a thriving and equitable community where Black Workers in the Inland Empire region have access to dignified, family-sustainable employment and fair treatment. We envision a future where systemic barriers are dismantled, racial equity is achieved, and Black Workers lead prosperous lives and shape their own destinies. Through organizing, policy change, and workforce development, we strive to build a society that values and uplifts the contributions and well-being of Black Workers. The Inland Empire, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is home to a growing Black population that faces distinct labor market challenges. Despite being a vital part of the region’s workforce, Black Workers experience higher unemployment rates, job insecurity, and limited access to high-wage industries (Smallwood-Cuevas, et al., 2024). The Inland Empire Black Worker Center (IEBWC) was established to address these disparities, serving as a dedicated advocate for economic justice and workforce equity (Cuevas, S., Reese, & Rettberg, 2020). As a community-driven organization, the IEBWC is committed to eliminating racial inequities in employment and ensuring Black Workers in the Inland Empire have access to quality jobs, fair wages, and opportunities for professional growth. Through collective action, policy advocacy, and community engagement, we work to dismantle barriers and drive meaningful, lasting change (Lee, Lopez, & Gonzalez-Vasquez, 2022). Since our inception, we have engaged in education, organizing, and policy advocacy to advance Black Workers (Sohail, Thomas, & Wangari, 2023). We collaborate with labor unions, community organizations, and policymakers to develop solutions that foster an inclusive and just labor market. By amplifying Worker voices, cultivating leadership, and advocating for systemic reforms, we strive to create sustainable economic opportunities.