The Role of Empowerment in the Job Search Process of Re-Entering African American Men

“The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Black men experienced empowerment throughout the process of employment preparation. This study also sought to give voice to this population regarding their experience in this process. A definition of empowerment, posed by Barbara Solomon of 'empowerment theory,' was used to understand the process of empowerment the study participants may have experienced. Nine African American male former offenders who had participated in a job readiness program and were 18 and older were interviewed about the preparation they received and how they perceived this training [affected] their pursuit of agency, employment, and recidivism” (p. i). (Abstractor : Author)

• “Some limitations involving the structure of programs should be examined…[such as] the lack of cultural competency within reentry programs. Most programs are not tailored to address cultural concerns specific to certain ethnic groups, [such as] African Americans, Latinos, etc.” (p. 28). • “In a study of formerly incarcerated persons perceptions of discrimination (LeBel, 2012). Black former offenders attributed discrimination to their race as well as their offender status, yet research suggests Blacks perceive race trumping ex-convict identities (Winnick & Bodkin, 2009). In addition, research suggests these stigmatized identities mean there is a greater need for assistance because other barriers must be overcome to receive community-based services (LeBel, 2012)” (p. 28). • “This study unveiled empowerment through the following themes: tenacity, challenges, coping, stigma and agency…The thematic findings of this study suggests a relationship between empowerment and recidivism….It is apparent that empowerment did in fact, have an effect on the job search, and ultimately job search success: employment” (p. 71). • “This study does not support the literature on the effectiveness of job readiness because job readiness was not the focus of the MILA Fellows Reentry Family Support program…[However], it can add to the literature regarding empowerment” (p. 72). (Abstractor: Author)

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2013
• Author(s): Jackson, Chloe
• Organizational Author(s): Department of African American Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University
• Funding Source: Georgia State University
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Melissa Mack
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies