“There is no face of unemployment,” says Felicia Brooks, manager, employment services, Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas.

Photo Credit: http://www.marketmixup.com/el-centro-calif-maintains-30-jobless-rate

What a true statement! As of December 2011, 8.5% of Americans are classified as unemployed. I am a new member to the unemployed community; formerly a manager at a FORTUNE 500 company before being laid off at the end of the year. Along with me, senior executives, vice presidents, directors and even administrative assistants are among the more than 250 people let go. They are white, black, Indian, Mexican, male and female. Like me, they each will need to find a new normal, and prepare themselves for new opportunities.

I decide to visit the Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas for assistance. They are less than five miles from my home, and have a high success rate of getting the unemployed back to work.

Photo Credit: Deanna McKinley

It’s immediately apparent that if I’m now part of the unemployed community, Felicia is my Mayor. She is a pleasure to work with. She’s direct. She tells the truth, even when it is going to hurt. She laughs easily, and smiles often. She treats client and coworker alike. She doesn’t seem to play favorites. I know I’m going to like her.

Photo Credit: Deanna McKinley

I attend a job readiness class she facilitates. She answers each question, and even reveals a story about her own joblessness in years past. She encourages, but more importantly, she empowers each person to make his or her dreams come true.

Felicia says, “My definition of success is to provide [each of my clients with] all the tools, and see them use those tools to get to where they want to go… Ultimately to economic self-reliance.”


To receive unemployment assistance through the State of Texas, I am required to attend a state-sponsored job readiness program. The difference between that program, and the Urban League program is night and day. It is clear that the state-sponsored program is a bit burdened by their requirement to assist each of the 250,000 unemployed people in Dallas. Yet at the Urban League, I am able to avoid the “cattle call” nature of the other program and receive personal attention.

I admit there are days where I feel very uncertain about what my future holds. As I get another call about another position I interviewed for being placed on hold, or when I hear how a former vice president filled the director-level position I applied for, I get a little nervous. However, on those days, I know I can reach out to my community for support. My mayor is working hard on my behalf. I have cheerleaders to keep me encouraged. I know about supplemental programs to help with mortgage assistance or provide emergency funds for utilities, just in case. The Urban League offers a job training program if I want to switch industries. It's comforting to know there are options, should I ever need them. And for that reason alone, I am grateful to have the Urban League as part of the community.

Music Credit: "Virus (blues remix)" - CAYM


For more information, please visit:
National Urban League - www.nul.org
Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas - www.ulgdnctx.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics - www.bls.gov/cps/