Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative

Join our workforce development initiative to connect Delaware businesses to Wilmington’s
“hidden workforce.”

Recruiting “hidden talent” strengthens Delaware businesses.

Powered by JPMorganChase and led by a coalition of local and national partners, the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative seeks to equip participating employers with enhanced talent acquisition solutions that more effectively include overlooked talent from underserved communities — particularly in zip codes 19801, 19802, 19805.

- Enhanced talent acquisition solutions
- Individualized technical assistance
- Connections to industry experts and workforce supports
- Monthly workshops and peer-to-peer learning opportunities
- 50 Wilmingtonians connected to employment
- 10 Delaware employers equipped to find “hidden workers” through enhanced talent management systems
- Improved retention, productivity, and innovation for participating businesses
- A faster pipeline to job growth that will stimulate Delaware’s whole economy
- Based in Delaware (along public transportation route)
- Hiring for entry-level positions with long-term career opportunities
- Paying a sustainable livable wage ($18+/hour with benefits)
- Providing opportunities for employee mobility and career development
- Committing to facilitated technical assistance over the course of 10 months

Expanding Fair Access to Promising Careers

It's never too late to tap into the vast potential of Wilmington's "hidden workforce" — candidates often left behind by outdated approaches to hiring.

Join the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative today for hiring resources to overcome labor shortages, boost productivity, and strengthen your workforce.

Media + Spotlight Crawler

EHI Employers, CBOs, and Project Partners Meeting

Sept. 18 2025: EHI partners met in Wilmington to advance ongoing efforts to build talent pipelines that connect overlooked Delawareans to quality jobs — centering thoughtful, community-focused collaboration to expand opportunity.

EHI Hosts Local CBOs for Capacity-Building Session

Aug 11-13, 2025: EHI project partner Cara Plus hosted a three-day capacity building session with four local CBOs. These organizations will play a key role in reaching and training overlooked talent, a key component of EHI’s workforce development goals.

Impact: How Corporate Philanthropy Builds Business and Community

June 11, 2025: Spotlight Delaware’s Allison Taylor Levine hosts a conversation about how corporations and nonprofits can solve Delaware’s problems — featuring Jac Rivers of JPMC, Yvonne Deadwyler of NCCCC, Desa Burton of Zip Code Wilmington.

RBIJ 2025 Workforce & Justice Summit

May 14, 2025 - Nan Gibson, executive director of the JPMorganChase PolicyCenter, discusses the company’s leadership in second chance hiring, emphasizing the strategic value of inclusive practices. She also uplifted the Delaware EHI’s efforts to break down barriers for overlooked talent — including individuals with criminal records.

New DCF Podcast Episode Feat. Jac Rivers, Christopher S. Gunter: Don’t Lock Out Local Talent

May 13, 2025 - Delaware Community Foundation President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative (EHI) leaders Jac Rivers of JPMC and Christopher S. Gunter of CapitalOne about why businesses cannot afford to ignore local talent — and how EHI is working to strengthen the state’s workforce and communities.

EHI Partners Speak at Delaware Second Chance Summit

Co-hosted by Senator Darius Brown and Representative Franklin Cooke, the event convened local business leaders and workforce experts to discuss the benefits of Fair Chance Employment and Clean Slate. RBIJ CEO Maha Jweied moderated the discussion, which featured EHI employer partners Garcia Garnett (COO) and Marc Herring (Transportation Manager) of Logan Transportation LLC, and EHI trainer Khalilah Olokunola, Senior Director, JFF.

VIEWPOINT: Amid severe labor shortages, Delaware businesses must tap into our hidden workforce

Delaware Business Times (April 9, 2025) — Check out the latest op-ed by New Castle County Chamber of Commerce President Yvonne Deadwyler

Employer Partners Kick-Off EHI Training

On March 26, we kicked off our first employer training session, "The Building Blocks of Equitable Hiring," facilitated by Khalilah "KO" Olokunola, senior director with our partner Jobs for the Future (JFF)'s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement. Learn more.

Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative pilot program seeks 'hidden workforce' in Wilmington

Delaware Business Now: The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) and JPMorgan Chase have launched the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative, a multi-year pilot project to help to tap into overlooked talent in underserved communities.

“JPMorgan & Chase is proud to support the Delaware EHI, a project that strengthens our portfolio of systems-change investments to advance inclusivity and opportunity in the workplace.”

Tom Horne, Delaware Market Leader, JPMorganChase

Get Involved Today

For more information on the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative, fill out the form below or contact Caz Walcott, RBIJ’s Director of Inclusive Hiring at: caz@rbij.org.

Get Involved Today

For more information on the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative, fill out the form below or contact Caz Walcott, RBIJ’s Director of Inclusive Hiring at: caz@rbij.org.

Get Involved Today

For more information on the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative, fill out the form below or contact Caz Walcott, RBIJ’s Director of Inclusive Hiring at: caz@rbij.org.

Join Us

For more information on the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative, please fill out the form below or contact Caz Walcott, RBIJ’s Director of Inclusive Hiring at: caz@rbij.org.

Get Involved Today!

For more information on the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative, fill out the form below or contact Caz Walcott, RBIJ’s Director of Inclusive Hiring at: caz@rbij.org.

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