Jay-Z's Team Roc Aims to Solve Unemployment Problem for 1,000 New Yorkers

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: November 4, 2021

Jay-Z’s Team Roc Aims to Solve Unemployment Problem for 1,000 New Yorkers

Team Roc, the social justice arm of Jay-Z's Roc Nation, has joined forces with REFORM Alliance to host a job fair for unemployed New Yorkers.

In Summary

New Yorkers may have far beyond 99 problems, but Jay-Z's social justice arm Team Roc has teamed up with REFORM Alliance to help solve at least 1,000 of them.

New York got 99 problems but soon unemployment won’t be one, because Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and REFORM Alliance have teamed up to help at least 1,000 individuals find work by hosting a Team Roc New York Job Fair at Madison Square Garden, per a press release.

New York ranks as the third most unemployed city in the United States with a rate of 7.6%. The organizations hope to revive the city’s workforce by offering support and resources to disadvantaged people, including single parents, the formerly incarcerated, veterans and poverty alleviation workers.

“The Team Roc New York Job Fair is a real opportunity for socio-economic mobility for New Yorkers–those who want to work, yet have not had the exposure or connections to the right-fit jobs, or to the support services that can strengthen their prospects for employment,” Team Roc managing director Dania Diaz said in the release.

Lowe’s, Madison Square Garden, Amazon, Foot Locker, Live Nation, VICE and the 40/40 Club are among the companies sending recruiters to conduct on-site interviews, with more to be announced soon.

Attendees will be able to receive free career development resources and job readiness support, such as resume building assistance and interview preparation, grooming services and expungement assistance, among other things.

Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez said, “My hope is this event will not only stimulate New York’s economy but pair the state’s best, brightest and employees with the country’s leading organizations.”

In addition to being a Grammy-winning rapper, Beyoncé’s right-hand man and now a rock and roll hall of famer, Jay-Z is a man who is all about action. As evidenced by his $1 million donation to investigate wrongful convictions in Kansas City’s Wyandotte County and his investment partnership with actor Will Smith that helps renters build credit so they can purchase homes, it’s obvious he has a knack for highlighting inequities in underprivileged communities, and most importantly, using his knowledge and funds to do something about it.

The job fair will take place on November 18 beginning at 9 a.m. ET and will go on until 5 p.m. ET.