The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP) advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming events, which you can learn about below. Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recording, so feel free to sign up even if you can’t participate live.

Re-Entry and Good Jobs: Building the Second Chances We All Believe In

Wednesday, February 26, 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST, on Zoom

Today, roughly 1 in 3 American adults have a criminal record, and those returning from incarceration often struggle find quality jobs after release. Occupational licensing requirements, debt obligations, court supervision, and hiring discrimination all create impediments to economic opportunity, forcing members of this group into dead-end, low-paying, and exploitative jobs. Many are even barred from doing the same jobs they performed in prison, like firefighting, care work, and plumbing. But across the country, innovative efforts are underway to lower these barriers and revamp our re-entry system.

Join us on Zoom on Wednesday, February 26, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, for our next event, “Re-Entry and Good Jobs: Building the Second Chances We All Believe In,” where we’ll explore the opportunities and challenges people face in accessing good jobs after incarceration. This conversation will feature opening remarks from Sappho Fulton (Womxn Beyond Borders), followed by a panel discussion with Daryl V. Atkinson (Forward Justice), Beth Avery (National Employment Law Project), Sharon Dietrich (Community Legal Services), Minna Long (Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council), and Gina Schaefer (Former CEO, A Few Cool Hardware Stores).

REGISTER

• Click here to watch our first event in this series, “A Hidden Workforce: Prison Labor, Human Rights, and the Legacy of Slavery.”

Stay Tuned

We have a number of other exciting events in the works. Join our mailing list or connect on social media for updates and information.

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External Events and Speaking Engagements

EOP staff are frequently called upon to lend their expertise to a variety of critical conversations and settings. We hope to see you at one of the many insightful discussions we’ll be participating in soon. To invite one of our experts to speak at an event, please send us an email at [email protected].

EOP staff are frequently called upon to lend their expertise to a variety of critical conversations and settings. We hope to see you at one of the many insightful discussions we’ll be participating in soon. To invite one of our experts to speak at an event, please send us an email at [email protected].

Learn More

The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on publications, blog posts, events, and other announcements.