About Unlock Potential, RBIJ’s groundbreaking first-chance hiring program

 
 

Employers can disrupt the prison pipeline.

More than 4.4 million young Americans are “disconnected” — not in education or employment — and far more likely to suffer negative outcomes like poverty and imprisonment.

By providing them with meaningful career opportunities, we can help prevent those outcomes — while driving economic mobility, advancing racial equity, breaking cycles of incarceration, and creating the corporate leaders of tomorrow.

 
 

Welcome to Unlock Potential.

Unlock Potential (UP) is a groundbreaking employment program that looks to confront economic immobility at the source, by helping employers use hiring and other resources to young people who are at-risk the life-chances they deserve. Launched in 2022, UP brings together major employers to use hiring to disrupt the prison pipeline and empower young people through meaningful, long-term career opportunities.

 

Named a Top 10 Most Influential Project for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Project Management Institute.

News Highlights.

  • Inc.: Here's How Ben & Jerry's and Delta Air Lines Are Fighting Racial Inequity at Its Source

    As corporations around the world observe this Juneteenth, they are being rightly scrutinized on their commitments and efforts to advance racial equity. Almost every company in America published statements of support following the…Read more.

  • Fast Company: Employers like Ben & Jerry’s must help create real first chances to prevent incarceration

    In April, it was heartening to hear President Biden announce new efforts to help dismantle the unnecessary barriers currently facing 70 million Americans with criminal records. For one in three U.S. adults…Read more.

  • Forbes: Want To Hire Youth At-Risk Of Incarceration? Learn From Ben & Jerry’s

    Latest figures suggest that the US is home to more than four million “disconnected youth” — young people ages 16 to 24 who are neither in education nor employment. These individuals are five times more likely to have a criminal record than their peers….Read more.

  • Essence: How Ben & Jerry's Aims To Help Prevent Youth Incarceration With New Collaboration

    Ben & Jerry’s has not only built a brand around their standout ice cream flavors, but also from the strong sociocultural stances they continue to take. Their latest move is no exception….Read more.

  • RecruitingDaily Podcast: How Employers Can Use Hiring To Disrupt The Prison Pipeline

    On today’s episode of the RecruitingDaily Podcast, William Tincup speaks to Dr. Carr from Walmart.org and Tiesa from the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice about unlocking potential: how employers can use hiring to disrupt the prison…Listen.

  • Yahoo! News: American Family Insurance and Delta Air Lines join racial equity focused youth hiring program to prevent incarceration

    American Family Insurance and Delta Air Lines have announced their participation in Unlock Potential, a ground-breaking new hiring program designed to create meaningful career opportunities…Read more.

  • The Beat at 12: Ben & Jerry's Announces New Hire Program

    The Beat at 12, an NBC affiliate out of Beaumont, Texas, featured a story on Ben & Jerry’s participation in the new Unlock Potential hiring program…Watch.

  • Yahoo! Finance: RBIJ Launches Program to Deflect At-Risk Youth From Criminal Justice Involvement Through New 1st Chance Hiring Network

    The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice has announced a ground-breaking program made possible by Walmart (through the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity) that aims to confront economic…Read more.

  • Yahoo! Finance: Sam's Club joins Walmart-funded youth hiring program to prevent the cycle of incarceration

    Sam's Club has announced its participation in Unlock Potential, an intentional hiring program designed to provide real career opportunities for young people at the greatest risk…Read more.

  • Yahoo!: Greyston Bakery Joins Walmart-funded Employment Program

    Joseph Kenner, CEO of Greyston Bakery, will take the stage at 3BL Media's Brands Taking Stands Summit today to announce Greyston's participation in Unlock Potential (UP) - a Walmart-funded intentional hiring program that is designed to prevent incarceration by providing meaningful career…Read more.

  • Workology: Tapping Into the Existing Potential of Young People for Social Justice

    With a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds necessary to thrive, we are creating collaborative partnerships and relationships with community-based organizations as well to ensure that young person’s success. And...Read more.

  • Watch: Conscious Capitalism Webinar

    RBIJ’s Maha Jweied spoke with Walmart’s Dr. Marvin Carr about Unlock Potential and how businesses are using hiring to combat systemic inequality. Watch the recording here.