Danielle Johnson dreamed of becoming a nurse. Unfortunately, not long after she began nursing courses at Delgado Community College, she was forced to leave school to care for her family. Years later, when her mom passed away from cancer, Danielle struggled to return to work. Her confidence was shaken. She had a difficult time getting through interviews without crying or covering her face.
But thanks to four weeks of classes with STRIVE New Orleans -- part of the Network for Economic Opportunity -- Danielle improved her interview and public speaking skills, and regained her confidence. After graduating from STRIVE, she was handpicked to apply for a job as a patient access representative for University Medical Center -- and was hired, kick-starting her promising new career.
Danielle is just one of many beneficiaries of the innovative partnerships between the city and the private sector. She's also part of the broader story of New Orleans' recovery: as smart investments in public infrastructure and housing have strengthened the city, new small businesses and jobs in health care, biosciences and technology have fortified its workforce.
Still, it's no secret that this recovery has not been experienced by all. For example, in 2016, black households in New Orleans earned an average of $25,324 a year, compared to $67,884 for white households. These persistent economic disparities impede progress in areas like youth development, public safety and housing affordability...