African Americans are suffering worse than any other group of Americans during this prolonged recession. Our unemployment, bankruptcy and foreclosure rates are far higher than whites, which is a striking reality to face after electing our first black president. People like Alison Vaughn position themselves to help those of us who wish to compete more effectively in the workplace by offering training that will increase your value to prospective employers. It is her commitment to serving her community that makes Alison Vaughn today's Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:

What is your name, and what do you do?
Alison Vaughn: entrepreneur, author, and activist. I am founder & CEO of Jackets for Jobs, Inc. (www.jacketsforjobs.org). My book, 'Inspired Style,' is a book in which top image experts reveal strategies to always look and be your best (www.SexyandAgeless.com). I am an activist. I am Co-Chair of the 56th Annual Detroit NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, the largest sit-down dinner in the country. Ten thousand people attend annually. The dinner is known for its distinguished keynote speakers. Fifty-six years ago, the first speaker was the Honorable Thurgood Marshall. Other keynote speakers for this historic event have included President Jimmy Carter, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, General Colin Powell, President William Jefferson Clinton, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Senator Barack Obama (now President Barack Obama), Danny Glover and many others. This Year's dinner is scheduled for May 1, 2011 (www.detroitnaacp.org). What is your educational and professional background?
I'm a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a graduate of The Women's Campaign School at Yale University sponsored by Yale Law School. [I'm also a] member of Martha Stewarts "Dreamers into Doers," the Women's Alliance, Top Ladies of Distinction, Distinguished Women in International Service, Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Michigan State University Black Alumni, National Congress of Black Women, and the NAACP.

You started your own non-profit organization called Jackets for Jobs. What is the mission of your organization, what services do you offer, and where can people find more information?
Jackets for Jobs, Inc. provides career skills training, employment etiquette workshops, and professional clothing and accessories to low income individuals seeking employment throughout the metro Detroit area. Our mission is based on the following. If a person doesn't have a job, they can't afford career clothing. Yet without appropriate attire for an interview, they can't get a job. It's a Catch-22. Jackets for Jobs, Inc. opened in March 2000 to solve that problem for low income individuals in the Detroit area.


The Women Work organization did a study and found that two-thirds of Americans (sixty-seven percent) say that a woman's appearance on the job is likely to affect whether she is given new challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities. Seventy-two percent of women and sixty-two percent of men agree with that statement. Our clients are referred by our partnering agencies from the Detroit Workforce Development Department, social service agencies, and the welfare department. At one point, our clients were primarily in their twenties and thirties –- many entering the job market for the first time. Now due to the economy, we see all ages and people with college degrees. Almost all of our clients report household incomes of less than $10,000. The need for our services is apparent. Our motto is: Transforming lives, one suit at a time.

There are other organizations that also seek to help low-income men and women become self-sufficient. What sets Jackets for Jobs apart from these organizations, and how do your services better aid your clients?
Jackets for Jobs is the only organization of its kind in the state of Michigan. We have a great partnership with T.J. Maxx and the community. When our clients receive our clothes and training, they feel empowered. They are receiving good quality clothing and up-to-date training. When you walk into our facility, you are walking into a nice location. It is not a clothes closet. What really sets us apart is that we are more than clothes. We provide training and resources, and we service men and women. Our mission started out to only assist women, but we saw a great need with men, and now we assist both men and women.

We work very hard to see that our clients become self-sufficient, and our hard work has been noticed by NBC's 'Today Show,' ABC's 'The View,' Donald Trump and the cast members of 'The Apprentice,' and we had the distinct honor of ringing the closing bell of NASDAQ.

In March 2010 we celebrated our tenth anniversary, and our theme was: Ten years, ten thousand clients, one suit at a time.

Starting a business can be a tremendous feat. What is the biggest challenge you faced when building Jackets for Jobs, and what is the number one piece of advice you would offer to other entrepreneurs?
The biggest challenge with a nonprofit organization is funding. We are always seeking funding to sustain our business. My advice to other entrepreneurs is to find someone in their field, shadow them, and ask lots of questions.

As a person in the business of helping others, what is your favorite success story, and why?
When a person comes to Jackets for Jobs we provide them with free attire and training to seek employment. Once they receive employment, they are eligible to come back and receive two more free outfits. So, our success story is when our clients come back. Their success of employment is our success. When a person becomes self-sufficient that is success.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL Black Voices audience?
Everything I do, I give credit to GOD. I always say, "God is the Founder of Jackets for Jobs, and I'm the CEO." This is God's business, and He has asked me to run it for Him. I love my Boss. He is always giving me raises and promotions. You can't ask for a better boss.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here.