Jobs for Life Leader Spotlight
Mr. Shelby Smith, Black Community Developers, Inc.
September 2008
Black Community Developers Inc. (BCD), a faith-based non-profit organization in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been serving its community since 1981. Dedicated to improving the quality of life for underserved, disadvantaged and at-risk families in metropolitan Arkansas and throughout the state, BCD serves persons that are often the ones that families and other organizations have given up on. Client needs are met through a variety of diverse programs that include a licensed substance abuse treatment program, an affordable housing program, a jobs training program and youth achievement center.
In 2001, Shelby Smith “was instrumental in the formation of the Hoover/BCD Jobs for Life (JfL) program where he assisted with its start up. Through JfL training, “participants learn basic workplace skills and ethics, advertise those skills, and unites qualified workers with potential employers.”
All the components of Jobs for Life is what motivated Shelby to make a difference. However, the main one was the mentoring component. The staff and volunteers of BCD shares that Shelby’s most outstanding character trait “is genuine love for persons in need. He is an encourager. He wants in dividuals to grow and succeed. He shows tenacity in helping others get back on their feet. Individuals go from dependent to independent.”
As a JfL Instructor, Shelby “shares his experiences with the students, including the Biblical perspective of employment from a personal point of view. Whenever he can steer a student in the right direction or make a referral he takes that opportunity. Many JfL graduates, who have been employed and retained their jobs, reference the encouragement that was provided by Shelby as a key component in their success.”
Recruiting persons from the business sector has been a focus for BCD and Shelby was there for the program. “He is always sharing our story with others, making sure that others are aware of who we are so relationships can be developed.” Reverend William Robinson, Jr., Executive Director, shares that through Shelby’s leadership Jobs for Life spurs others to want to do better and more for the community.”
This year Black Community Developers completed it’s 13th JfL session and has served 545 students.
“The successes are numerous. One JfL graduate is a 57 year old man who had never graduated from school and had been homeless and on drugs for the most part of his life (since age 15). Having resisted being in the JfL class, he is now employed, working both a full-time and part time job, and is  currently saving to purchase a home.”
Another JfL graduate, Ruth Jones, joined BCD after hearing about Jobs for Life and feeling a need to go through the training, “Whatever this course was about, I needed it”. She graduated from the program and went on to serve as a JfL Class Leader. Today, she is on BCD’s staff as a JfL Site Coordinator and shares that “Jobs for Life has impacted our ministry greatly."
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