Creating opportunity through connections

Employ Milwaukee is the local workforce development board serving Milwaukee County, working with employers and jobseekers to develop workforce solutions that promote regional economic growth and employment opportunities. President and CEO Chytania Brown spoke to Milwaukee Commerce about how her background informs her approach to the job.

Milwaukee Commerce: You’re part of a new wave of Milwaukee leaders who come from a younger and more diverse background. Is that meaningful to you?

Chytania Brown: It’s very meaningful to me, being able to have that diversity of thought. Because that’s what I see: When you do business the same way with the same people, you get the same results.

As the world continues to evolve and expand, and technology comes into play, we talk about how we address issues and barriers for individuals. Myself and other individuals of color who have been given the opportunity to serve in leadership positions, we bring that diversity of thought. And for some of us, we bring lived experiences and can speak on behalf of individuals who may find themselves in this kind of roller coaster of trying to figure out their way.

MC: Given what we know about issues of segregation and racial disparities in Milwaukee, are you surprised to see that the face of our leadership is changing?

CB: I’m not surprised. I’m excited to see that leadership is changing. A few years back, I probably would have been surprised. But when you look at where we are as a society, if you don’t change, you get left behind.

All of the ills of racial disparity were already there and became exacerbated when the pandemic occurred. For people who truly say they want to make a difference, it became a time where you had to put up or shut up. The intentionality came about for many folks,

whereas (previously) you talk about things, but then they’re not pursued.

The timing was right and people were forced to become uncomfortable, to address those elephants in the room, to address the issues and concerns. I’m happy to see the opportunities. But we have a long way to go. This is definitely not a one-and-done. It is a long-term commitment of intentionality to change the narrative.

The timing was right and people were forced to become uncomfortable, to address those elephants in the room, to address the issues and concerns.

MC: There are so many employers looking for talented employees from all backgrounds, and many who are looking to increase the diversity of their work force at the same time . How can Employ Milwaukee help?

CB: I love having a seat at the table, being part of those discussions to say, “This is what we’re looking for in a workforce. We’d like to also have diversity in our work force.” Being able to sit down and strategically think out a customized plan that’s beneficial to the employer. Because not everyone’s needs are the same.

The pandemic has afforded me that ability to have these candid conversations with

employers (about) DE&I. And I say, “Are you doing this because you believe in diversity, equity and inclusion and changing your culture at your organization? Or is this something (you’re doing) because everybody else is doing it and you want to do it?” Because then it becomes a one-and-done, nobody buys into it. You get your training and you say, “We’ve done our diversity equity and inclusion.”

But if it’s truly about wanting to hire that diversity of thought by bringing in individuals who are different and have something to add to the table, then let that voice be heard and let it not just be a body.

I’m there, my team is there, to work with employers, understand what their needs are and to have those conversations. We conduct a lot of training with employers. We’ve customized trauma informed care training for retention purposes, to understand special populations that employers may work with.

MC: What else should people know about you or your vision for Milwaukee?

CB: A lot of people know Employ Milwaukee in name. Some people truly know what we do. But I really want to amplify our impact to the community. That means growing our partnerships, expanding our relationships, and tapping into populations that we traditionally have not put intentionality toward. That is what I want people to remember. I’ve been able to see some of that, and really want to grow and have impact. If we do not have impact, then we have nothing.