LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2019 — 70 Million Jobs, the first national, for-profit employment platform for people with criminal backgrounds, announced today they are shifting their business model from a job board, to a staffing agency.
The Company is simultaneously tackling the major problems of unemployment and recidivism among the formerly incarcerated, and the recruiting and retention challenges faced for employers.
“After my experience being incarcerated,” said Richard Bronson, 70 Million Jobs’ founder and CEO, who spent two years in a federal prison, “I discovered my calling in life: to help my brothers and sisters returning to society. The negative bias towards people who have made a mistake and served their time cannot be understated. By perpetuating these biases, we ignore a huge pool of talent in the United States. I am passionate about fighting the stigma that comes with having a criminal background, and am confident that our work is building a more inclusive economy. With the launch of our staffing agency, we will provide more stability to the job seekers, as well as ease the hiring process for our enterprise clients. Our goal is to be the largest employer of people with criminal backgrounds in the United States.”
Since its public launch in 2017, 70 Million Jobs’s community has grown to support more than 10 million formerly incarcerated men and women. The company works with some of the country’s largest employers, including Berkshire Hathaway, Uber, Perdue, Denny’s, MOD Pizza and many others, all eager to access this huge pool of previously ignored talent.
In the staffing agency model, 70 Million Jobs can better leverage their position of control and create more opportunities for job seekers. The company will be responsible for handling all employer-related duties, including paying salaries, taxes, insurance, etc., as well as administering background checks. “We know how to best align the right people with the right company, ensuring an efficient and economical hiring process,” said Bronson.
“I invested in 70 Million Jobs because I see this company as an excellent opportunity to drive outsized investment gains while simultaneously supporting a mission that has an incredible social impact.” said Lloyd Solomon, CEO and founder of Solomon-Page, a prominent New York based staffing firm. “The company’s growth into a staffing agency is an organic next step in building a more inclusive, and representative economy.”
70 Million Jobs is a company seeking “double bottom-line returns”: build a big, profitable business and do massive social good. Interested job seekers and employers can learn more by visiting 70 Million Jobs.