I read this article today while reading the through the CA and it was very enlightening and pretty shocking. (Link: http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2017/04/24/weathersbee-boost-black-prosperity-rethink-temp-work/100812188/ )

This piece by Tonyaa Weathersbee explains some of the implications of an existing problem with temp-agencies that is plighting specifically black workers in Memphis. In the wake of a protest at a Greater Memphis Chamber meeting last summer on the subject, the largely white Memphis government has been looking for ways to address the problem (at last).

Here's the problem. Too many black workers can only find jobs through temp-work. Conveniently, many big-time temp-agencies have set up hubs in Memphis, and over time that has lead to a cycle of mediocrity.  Workers are unable to get skills training or other amenities, and, for larger hirers, there is a shortage of skilled labor, especially among minorities. Weathersbee says it well that in the case of many Memphis workers, work doesn't seem to be getting them ahead but rather keeping them moving in place.

She drops some stats too that are alarming. 31% of the black population in our black majority city is living below the poverty line. Even more shocking even despite that first shocking stat is that only 8% of business revenue goes to black-owned businesses per year in Shelby County. Sounds kinda like Harlem doesn't it?