Purpose

Provide funding to support workforce development for African American men. The bill allocates money to fund a grant to a Minnesota nonprofit organization (Ujamaa Place) to deliver services that help with job skills, career preparation, and related supports.

Main Provisions

• Funding: $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2027.
• Source: General Fund.
• Administration: Funds go to the commissioner of employment and economic development (DEED) to administer a grant to Ujamaa Place.
• Purpose of funds: To provide workforce development services targeted to the needs of African American men.
• Services included: Job training, employment preparation, internships, education, and vocational housing.
• Organizational support: Funds also may be used for organizational capacity building at Ujamaa Place.

Target Population and Services

• Primary recipients: African American men.
• Services delivered: Preparation for employment, hands-on job training, internship opportunities, educational activities, and housing support related to vocational training.
• Organizational focus: Building the capacity of Ujamaa Place to deliver these services effectively.

Fiscal Details and Oversight

• Implementation: DEED administers the grant to Ujamaa Place.
• Time frame: Funding is slated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
• Oversight: The bill designates the grant mechanism and the agency responsible for administering it.

Significance and Expected Impact

• Aims to reduce barriers to employment for African American men by providing comprehensive workforce development supports.
• Seeks to strengthen both participant outcomes (skills, employment readiness, internships) and the capacity of the service provider (Ujamaa Place).

Potential Considerations

• The bill specifies funding for a defined two-year period; it may require future action to renew or adjust funding.
• It creates a targeted program within Minnesota’s broader workforce development efforts.

Relevant Terms Ujamaa Place African American men workforce development job training employment preparation internships education vocational housing organizational capacity building general fund commissioner of employment and economic development (DEED) grant fiscal year 2026 fiscal year 2027