This January, we celebrated the graduation of the fourth Six Sigma Indy cohort. Hughley partnered with the organization to continue mentoring African American and Afro-Latina women in Indianapolis, Indiana. This year’s project work focused on equitable employment opportunities for African American men, particularly those with former criminal backgrounds.

Joblessness remains highly prevalent among the formerly incarcerated. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that of more than 50,000 people released from federal prisons in 2010, a staggering 33% found no employment at all over four years post-release, and at any given time, no more than 40% of the cohort was employed. Notably, the recidivism rate of African American Indiana offenders released in 2020 was 38%.

Our Six Sigma team worked closely with the Fathers and Families organization, focusing on ways to increase sustainable employment matches for participant fathers. We leveraged data insights to support the enhancement existing processes and engagement with local employers.

Congratulations to the women of cohort 4 on a job well done!