New Program Boosts Afro-Descendant Women
Blue Shield Promise and L.A. Care have launched "SheWorks," a program in California focused on the professional development of Afro-descendant women. The initiative aims to promote economic mobility and address systemic inequality through targeted career support.
The "SheWorks" initiative is a collaboration with the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute, an organization dedicated to the social, political, and economic advancement of Black women and girls throughout California. This partnership aims to dismantle systemic barriers to success by providing targeted support. The program is specifically designed to assist Black women in Los Angeles County who are underemployed, unemployed, or re-entering society after incarceration. The first cohort of approximately 30 participants began the five-month program in January 2026 at a Community Resource Center in Long Beach. To ensure participants can fully engage, SheWorks provides crucial wraparound services, including stipends for both childcare and transportation, such as rideshare credits. This approach directly addresses common obstacles that can prevent women from pursuing professional development opportunities. Training sessions cover a wide range of skills essential for today's job market, including digital literacy, resume building, interview preparation, leadership, and financial literacy. Participants also receive mentorship from Black women professionals and are connected with potential employers who are committed to equitable hiring practices. This program was created in response to significant economic disparities. In California, Black women earn just 60 cents for every dollar paid to white men, and 25% live below the federal poverty line, a rate double that of white women. The initiative is part of a larger strategy by the health plans to address the social determinants of health, recognizing that economic stability is a key factor in the overall well-being of individuals and communities. Future SheWorks cohorts are planned for other locations in Los Angeles County, including South Los Angeles and Inglewood.
