The Richmond Metro area’s first annual job fair to connect local employers with LGBTQ-identifying job seekers, Richmond Business Alliance (RBA) Job Fair, is scheduled for March 25 at Diversity Richmond. The fair is the concluding event in the inaugural RBA Career Readiness Series, a multi-week series of educational programs, workshops, resources, and services geared towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/gender nonconforming (LGBTQ) job seekers.
The event aims to offer educational programs, workshops, resources, and services geared towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/gender nonconforming (LGBTQ) job seekers.
“The job search process is inherently intimidating, even for many qualified applicants,” said RBA president Bary Hausrath explained, “We hope to address this with the job fair and the events leading up to it.
From dressing the part to approaching an interview with confidence, “perfecting the elevator pitch” to navigating the application process after coming out, a number of topics will be addressed at the two-week long series of events, held every Monday-Thursday nights, until the big event.
“Exhibitors (including Suntrust, State Farm, Lowe’s and more) have demonstrated commitments to inclusion and diversity for LGBTQ employees,” Hausrath said. ”From the job seeker’s perspective, having confidence that their sexual orientation or gender identity is neither a liability nor a threat to their livelihood is incredibly important.”
Bill Harrison, Executive Director at Diversity Richmond observed that the “project is so needed as employment is an issue with many, especially the transgender community. Also, the classes that are being offered are invaluable to job-searchers. We are very proud to play a role in this endeavor.”
“Recognizing the employment difficulties faced by so many in the LGBT community, Equality Virginia is proud to be a part of this job fair that will provide days’ worth of practical and meaningful assistance to members in our community who are seeking to provide for themselves and their families,” said James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia.
“In addition to our community partners that are helping spread the word, the donations from RBA members and other for and non-profit service providers have made the RBA Job Fair at Diversity Richmond, long a goal for many community activists, a reality,” Hausrath added.
The Richmond Business Alliance Job Fair and Career Readiness Series are collaborative efforts involving representatives of community organizations including the Richmond Business Alliance, Equality Virginia, Diversity Richmond, Health Brigade (formerly Fan Free Clinic), Nationz Foundation, and Richmond Transformers. The effort is funded in part by a grant from Diversity Richmond.
Community partners include Diversity Richmond, Health Brigade (formerly Fan Free Clinic), and Equality Virginia.
Vendor inquiries should be directed to jobfair@richmondbusinessalliance.com
Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to sponsorship@richmondbusinessalliance.com
More information about the Job Fair and Career Readiness Series can be found online at www.richmondbusinessalliance.com
