Fair Chance Hiring: Reducing Criminal Record Barriers to Employment

An estimated 12 million individuals have a criminal record in Texas. Nationally, the number is over 77 million – nearly 1 in every 3 American adults. Many negative consequences flow from a criminal history, creating potentially lifelong barriers to housing, employment, government benefits, educational opportunity, and other resources necessary for building a stable and productive life. Come hear Maurice Emsellem, Program Director at the National Employment Law Project, and David Kirk, sociology professor at The University of Texas at Austin, speak on the significant role criminal records play in creating barriers to employment and the risks that come with a lack of meaningful employment opportunity. The opening presentations will be followed by a panel discussion with local experts to consider the implications for Texas and strategies being used at state and local levels to address the crisis. Co-sponsored with the UT Opportunity Forum.