Statement from Candace Andersen, Newly Appointed Chair of East Bay Economic Development Alliance
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I am thrilled to be appointed as Chair of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EBEDA). I am deeply committed to fostering existing collaboration between Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We are the 52nd largest global economy valued at close to $300 billion. Together, we will continue to create a powerful regional voice to strengthen our East Bay economy and attract and retain new businesses.
My vision for EBEDA is to expand our network of public-private partnerships, promoting strategic economic development that provides a seamless onramp for businesses looking to thrive in the East Bay.
We have outstanding infrastructure to support businesses with access to airports, rail, freeways, and shipping. Our top-tier schools, universities, colleges, national labs, thousands of acres of parks and open space, and housing more affordable than other parts of the Bay Area make the East Bay an extremely desirable place for both employers and their employees. We want to empower our residents to live, work, and conduct business within their own communities.
I look forward to supporting innovative partnerships to encourage out-of-the-box thinking. Together, we can ensure our region remains unparalleled, uniting diverse networks of business, government, and community leaders who recognize and embrace the immense value of the East Bay.
A favorite quote by a remarkable woman: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller.
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Nov. 9, 2024 | Los Medanos College
Join us for a free Board Essentials workshop for Contra Costa nonprofits designed specifically for current and prospective nonprofit board members.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the essential functions and requirements of serving on a nonprofit board and how to be an exemplary director.
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WDB Speaks at Antioch Chamber's State of Business 2024 | |
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The Antioch Chamber hosted the Antioch State of Business on October 11. Mayor Lamar Thorpe showcased the City of Antioch's direction, plans for upcoming projects, and vision for the future.
Tamia Brown, WDBCCC's Executive Director, was a guest speaker at this annual event. The WDB was a sponsor for the event, as it supports businesses with their needs and provides programs that connect underserved communities with skills training and employment opportunities.
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(L-R) WDBCCC Business Services Representative Charles Brown III, DOR Manager Will Salone, WDBCCC's Exec. Director Tamia Brown, Men & Women of Purpose Program Coordinator Frank Hancock, DOR Regional Business Specialist Anna Tolentino, EDD Local Veteran's Employment Representative, and Micro-Easy Vocational Institute's CEO, Kola Onafowode | |
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Contra Costa County District V Supervisor Federal Glover also spoke at the event about the growing economy and the abundance of local talent in the East Contra Costa region.
In reflecting on the event, Supervisor Federal Glover said, "Though I will be retiring this year, my commitment to empowering our economy and advancing diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) will never fade. Seeing the economic potential in our community is what drives me, and I will continue to support efforts like the Northern Waterfront Initiative and other projects that will provide the East Contra Costa region the opportunity to thrive."
Supervisor Glover received a lifetime achievement service award from the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.
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Community Convening on Early Learning Inclusion: A Collaborative Success | |
In early August, Serena Moore, WDBCCC's Workforce Specialist, attended an in-person community convening that brought together 99 participants, including parents, caregivers, early learning educators, and intervention providers. | |
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The event was vital to our ongoing efforts to gather input and feedback on the themes and recommendations emerging from our stakeholder engagement process.
Assembly member Timothy Grayson opened the evening by thanking all participants for their commitment to supporting children with disabilities and other needs. His remarks set a positive tone for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
During the event, participants discussed the challenges families and providers face in creating inclusive environments for children. The conversations were rich with insights and underscored the importance of our collective efforts in this area.
To ensure the event was accessible, First Five provided language interpretation, childcare, and dinner, allowing for broader participation and a more inclusive atmosphere. A separate virtual meeting was also organized for those who could not attend in person.
The insights and recommendations gathered from these events will be instrumental in shaping First Five’s next steps as we continue to enhance early learning opportunities for all children in our community.
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WDB Gives Much Appreciation for Making the 2024 Central County Career & Resource Fair a Success! | |
WDBCCC’s Executive Director, Tamia Brown, providing opening remarks. | |
Contra Costa County District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson, providing opening remarks. | |
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The 2024 Central Contra Costa Career & Resource Fair, held on October 24 at Mt. Diablo Adult Education/Loma Vista Adult Center in Concord, was a tremendous success! We welcomed 137 pre-registered attendees and 200 walk-ins, totaling 337 job seekers and community members.
The event featured esteemed employers, including Caltrans, the City of Concord Human Resources Department, Port of San Francisco, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Georgia Pacific, Contra Costa County Human Resources Department, Dynamic Office & Accounting Solutions, Tesla, USPS, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Feedback from these employers was overwhelmingly positive; many expressed eagerness to return to future WDBCCC-hosted job fairs and were impressed by the qualifications of attendees.
The fair opened with remarks from Mt. Diablo Adult Education/Loma Vista Adult Center Director Vittoria Abbate, WDB’s Executive Director Tamia Brown, and Contra Costa County District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson. Supervisor Carlson commended the employers for seeking talent in Concord and highlighted Mt. Diablo Adult Education Center’s enduring contribution to the local community.
We thank our event sponsors, Mt. Diablo Adult Education Center, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and the Antioch Community Foundation. We’re proud to support workforce development in Central Contra Costa!
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WDB Supports Youth Conference
and Youth/Young Adult Career Fair!
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WDBCCC Staff – Charles Brown III; Contra Costa County District 5 Office Chief of Staff – David Frazier, Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Federal D. Glover, and Contra Costa County District 5 Office Assistant – Monica Couture. | |
WDBCCC Staff – Charles Brown III; Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Federal D. Glover, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Outreach Coordinator –Lindsey Bruno. | |
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On September 21, 2024, the UpliftED 24' Youth Empowerment Conference, held a 2024 East Contra Costa Youth & Young Adult Career Fair at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg. Organized by WDBCCC and the Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Federal D. Glover's Office, the event provided career exploration and employment information to over 100 youth and young adults.
Participating organizations included the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, H&R Block, Contra Costa County Library, UPS, TESLA, U.S. Postal Service, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 159, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa, and the City of Pittsburg, Los Medanos College-Certificate Programs. The conference allowed young people to share their views with community leaders and learn valuable information about careers and education.
Throughout the day, students engaged in workshops on topics such as leadership, mental health, and technology. It was inspiring to see their active participation, with many asking thoughtful questions and sharing personal experiences that made each session even more impactful. Students shared heartfelt stories about their journeys, challenges, and aspirations during the keynote presentations. Watching them open up, connect, and support one another was heartwarming, reminding us of the power of community and dialogue.
The day was filled with various activities, including hands-on learning experiences and team-building exercises, ensuring every student had opportunities to grow and have fun. Several students left with exciting prizes, including tablets, gift cards, and tech accessories to support their academic endeavors.
As always, the highlight of the day was witnessing the students' energy, enthusiasm, and passion for their future. Their stories inspired not only their peers but all of us who had the privilege of witnessing their growth and resilience.
In reflecting on the event, Supervisor Federal Glover said, "Though I will be retiring this year, my commitment to empowering our youth and advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) will never fade. Seeing the potential in our young people is what drives me, and I will continue to support efforts like UpliftED to ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive."
Thank you to all of the partners, volunteers, and attendees who made this day possible. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our youth and our community.
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WDBCCC Showcases Opportunities at the East Contra Costa Career Fair | |
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On August 28, WDBCCC participated in the East Contra Costa Career & Resource Fair at the Antioch Community Center, connecting job seekers with valuable opportunities and resources.
Attendees explored job openings in various industries, including clean energy, healthcare, and technology. WDBCCC representatives provided guidance on resume writing, interview techniques, and aligning skills with employers' needs.
WDBCCC also highlighted its training and apprenticeship programs, partnering with institutions like Los Medanos Community College to offer in-demand skills. The event showcased WDBCCC's commitment to empowering job seekers and supporting the East Contra Costa workforce.
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In honor of September being National Workforce Development Month, the Workforce Development Board of Solano County hosted its annual Celebrating Solano’s Workforce awards night on September 18.
"Celebrating Solano's workforce is an opportunity for the community to come together to recognize and honor our 'Workforce Heroes,' the businesses, job seekers and employees, and community partners who support and exemplify workforce efforts in Solano County. This event is part of a nationwide celebration showcasing the impact workforce development has in growing our economy and in building opportunities for economic mobility," organizers said in a statement.
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Insights from CWA's Executive Bootcamp | |
(photos: Michael Katz, Regional Organizer, East Bay Works; LaTosha Stockholm, Program Manager, WDBCCC) | |
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As part of their journey through the California Workforce Association (CWA) Executive Bootcamp, Regional Organizer Michael Katz and Program Manager LaTosha Stockholm dove into impactful Capstone Projects to address key challenges in workforce development. This dynamic program, designed for workforce directors, deputy directors, and executive staff, spans a year and focuses on nurturing the next generation of leaders in workforce systems.
Throughout the boot camp, participants partnered with seasoned mentors and conducted thorough research on their topics, culminating in presentations at the CWA’s Meeting of the Minds. Michael delivered a compelling presentation on the “Enhanced Regional Manufacturing Sector Strategy,” and LaTosha energized the crowd with her focus on “Getting Young People Fired Up About Careers in Public Service.”
Both presentations garnered enthusiastic responses from attendees, who left with actionable strategies to tackle similar challenges in their own workforce initiatives. The insights shared at this event will inspire and elevate workforce development efforts across the board!
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WDBCCC Attends CWA's Annual Meeting of the Minds 2024 | |
WDBCCC participated in CWA's Meeting of the Minds 2024, held from September 3 to 5 in Monterey. The conference, themed "From Innovation to Implementation," focused on turning innovative workforce strategies into practical solutions.
Representatives from WDBCCC engaged in workshops on resource integration and program scalability, gaining valuable insights and networking opportunities with other workforce leaders. This knowledge will help enhance WDBCCC's ability to deliver impactful, community-driven workforce solutions in the future.
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Contra Costa County's unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in September 2024. That's down from a revised 5.3 percent in August 2024. Read the most recent state labor report for the Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley Metropolitan Division.
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