Business Leaders, Youth Explore Jobs, Race Meeting Was To Encourage Minority Youth To Choose Careers Here

“I want to be a doctor.”

“I want to be a geologist.”

“I want to be…”

Somebody.

About 15 youths of color gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center Wednesday to tell local professionals their dreams, goals and concerns about living and working in Spokane.

It was part of the Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Diversity Committee’s first “Teen Forum.”

The informal meeting drew the youths and about 15 members of the committee to discuss job opportunities in the Spokane area. The goal is to encourage more teens of color to consider career options here.

The meeting was, in a sense, a plea from local professionals for students of various ethnic and racial backgrounds to stay, rather than add to what some committee members are calling a “brain drain” in Spokane.

“We’re seeing many of our young people of color who are motivated, bright and have so much to offer the community moving away as soon as they are able to,” said Valerie Marshall, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. “We want them to see that there are possibilities here, and there are people who care.”

But the message from the teens was clear: “We want out.”

“I’ve lived here all of my life, and there aren’t a lot of minorities here,” said Stephanie Williams, 18.

Williams, who plans to attend the University of Washington and enroll in the school’s engineering program, says she will be the only black female student graduating from Ferris High School this year.

“It’s hard to be in that position of always being the only one,” Williams said. “I just want to be in an area where there’s more people like me.”

Her sentiments were shared by many in the group.

“I’m ready to leave, and I won’t be coming back,” said Kristina McAuley, 17, a student at University High School. McAuley, who says she wants to be a history professor, blames a racist Spokane for her desire to relocate to another area after she graduates.

The youths, who were almost all honor roll students, cited various racial incidents, including name calling and being looked on with suspicion in public places, as proof of the intolerance they face.

Some committee members said the lack of opportunities for youths is not just a racial issue.

Hiring across the board is difficult for all youths, committee members said, but youths of color have particular obstacles to overcome in getting jobs.

Jean Conger, manager of human resources at Medical Service Corporation, says there are other reasons why youths want to leave.

“Every teen wants to go out and explore the thrill of the world and what they’ve seen in textbooks,” Conger said.

Committee members say they hope the meeting will be the start of more such discussions.

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