By Dianne Anderson

Retaliation after speaking up about discrimination, limited opportunities for advancement, unsafe working conditions and workplace violence are among the realities many Black workers continue to face.

On top of the long list of concerns, Dana Nickerson of the Long Beach Black Worker Center said that many workers also lack clear information about their rights or how to navigate complaint processes.

During the center’s first two years, she said the organization has focused on listening to workers and building relationships before developing programs and solutions.

“The Long Beach Black Worker Center isn’t trying to fit into someone else’s model. We’re building a worker center that reflects the realities of Long Beach. Before offering solutions, we’ve spent the last two years listening, building trust, and learning directly from Black workers. That’s the foundation for creating career pathways, advancing worker wellness, and ensuring every worker knows they have a place to turn when their rights are at stake,” said Nickerson, Project Development Manager with LBBWC.

As the center grows, it uses the Black Worker Rights Guide and the “Working While Black” legal hotline to connect workers with support. Staff also meet workers where they are, at neighborhood gatherings, partner events and in public spaces to build relationships and share resources.

Even so, trust remains one of the biggest challenges.

“One of the biggest gaps is trust. Many workers have experienced retaliation or believe speaking up won’t lead to meaningful change,” she said.

Navigating legal and administrative systems can also discourage workers from pursuing complaints,  making stronger coordination among community organizations, government agencies, employers and workers essential to addressing issues before they escalate.

Beyond direct services, the center also focuses on systemic change. As part of the Southern California Black Worker Hub, the Long Beach center partners with organizations across the region while tailoring its work to local needs.

Those partnerships connect workers to programs such as the Los Angeles Black Worker Center’s Worker Readiness Program and support broader policy efforts alongside labor unions and worker-rights organizations, she said.  Policy engagement is an important part of that work, and a recent collaboration with the Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commission to establish an ad hoc committee will help bring community concerns and recommendations forward.

The center works with employees across a range of industries, including logistics, healthcare, retail, education, nonprofit work, public service and port-related jobs.

While the center continues pushing for long-term policy change, she said their immediate goal is helping workers understand their rights, navigate complaint processes, access resources and connect with career opportunities that provide sustainable wages.

Policy engagement drives systemic change. A recent collaboration with the Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commission to establish an ad hoc committee will also help ensure that community concerns and recommendations are elevated to inform policy and decision-making.

“That diversity means the challenges facing Black workers are equally diverse, and our work begins by listening rather than assuming one solution fits everyone,” Nickerson said.

While community organizations focus on trust-building and worker advocacy, the City of Long Beach is also expanding workforce programs to connect residents with training, certifications, and employment pathways.

Long Beach Public Affairs Officer Chelsey Magallon said the city provides summer career exploration, paid work experience, mentorship, and job pathways for youth and adults from historically underserved communities through the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN).

“LBWIN can also help eligible residents access training connected to transportation, distribution and logistics,” Magallon said.

Their key initiatives include the Space Beach Youth Camp, Public Service Corps, and the Port of Long Beach SHIP program, along with the LBPD Youth Leadership Academy and partnerships with Long Beach City College Phoenix Scholars and Long Beach Unified School District.

The city is also actively identifying Class of 2026 high school graduates without postsecondary plans, connecting them to career counseling, paid work, and training scholarships. Those pathways span healthcare, including Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, and EMT roles, as well as CompTIA A+ IT support, cybersecurity, electrical technician work, welding, construction, logistics, bookkeeping, and project management.

Free workshops at LBWIN’s Adult and Youth Career Services Centers prepare job seekers for resume building, interviewing, financial literacy, LinkedIn, city hiring processes, and specialized topics like live entertainment career pathways.

Depending on eligibility and need, that support may include career counseling, job search assistance, resume support, training scholarships, supportive services, paid work experience, referrals to partner programs, and connections to employers or apprenticeship pathways.

“Notably, our services are not limited to one-time workshops or stand-alone programs. Residents can visit our Adult or Youth Career Services Centers, attend orientations, or connect with staff on a drop-in basis to receive individualized career support,” she said.

Demand for jobs in logistics, infrastructure, construction, and public service remains strong, Magallon said, reflecting Long Beach’s economy tied to goods movement, transportation, and public infrastructure.

Instead of limiting focus to traditional port work, the city ties its job programs to major regional developments like Pier B. Partnerships with labor groups, including IBEW, STEP, and the Western States Carpenters Training Fund, help connect residents directly to union career pathways.

Available training covers commercial driver’s licenses, supply chain management, heavy equipment operation, welding, and technical certifications. The city partners with Long Beach City College’s Maritime Center of Excellence and provides scholarships to help cover costs.

“Each year, LBWIN typically supports 72 Warehousing and Logistics training certifications, with an average training investment of around half a million dollars in this sector,” she said.

More than 200 young adults land paid internships each year through the Public Service Corps. A majority of first-cohort participants go on to apply for public sector jobs, using the program as both income support and a pathway into long-term employment.

“The program is helping to build a more diverse local public sector talent pipeline while giving young people paid, meaningful exposure to City careers,” Magallon said.

For more information on jobs and training, see:

Long Beach Black Worker Center (LBBWC)
https://lbbwc.org/

LBBWC Resources
https://lbbwc.org/resources

City of Long Beach Talent & Workforce (LBWIN)
https://www.longbeach.gov/economicdevelopment/talent-workforce/

LBWIN Orientation & Workshops
https://www.longbeach.gov/edo/talent-workforce/lbwin-orientation/