Blue Shield, L.A. Care Partner to Empower Black Women in Career Development

New SheWorks program provides job training, mentorship, and employment connections for underserved women in Long Beach and surrounding communities.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and L.A. Care Health Plan have announced a collaboration with the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute to support the SheWorks California program, a workforce development initiative that helps Black women in Los Angeles County secure stable, well-paying careers. The program provides comprehensive job readiness training, individualized career development, and wraparound support services to address common barriers to career advancement for underemployed, unemployed, or formerly incarcerated Black women.

Why it matters

This partnership aims to address the disproportionate job losses faced by Black women nationwide in recent years, empowering them to build meaningful careers, access opportunity, and lead with dignity. By hosting the program at their Community Resource Centers, Blue Shield Promise and L.A. Care are helping create pathways to economic mobility and overall community well-being.

The details

The first SheWorks cohort launched in January 2026 with about 30 participants in Long Beach, with monthly sessions continuing through May. Participants receive training in digital skills, interview preparation, resume building, leadership, communication, and financial literacy. They also gain access to mentorship from Black women professionals and connections to prospective employers. The program provides childcare and transportation stipends to enable full engagement.

  • The first SheWorks cohort launched in January 2026.
  • Monthly sessions will continue through May 2026.
  • The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The players

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan

A managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering the Managed Medi-Cal program.

L.A. Care Health Plan

The largest health plan in Los Angeles County, serving more than one of every four Angelenos and the largest publicly operated plan in the country.

California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute

A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic empowerment of Black women and girls across California.

Marsha Cole

An Inglewood resident who participated in the first SheWorks cohort, feeling renewed and hopeful after the program's support during a difficult time.

Kellie Todd Griffin

The president and CEO of the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute, emphasizing SheWorks as a powerful model for economic mobility for Black women.

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What they’re saying

“SheWorks is more than a pathway to employment — it is an engine of possibility. We're creating spaces where Black women can build meaningful careers, access opportunity, and lead with dignity and purpose. Rooted in community, SheWorks represents a powerful model for economic mobility, helping women move from simply surviving to truly thriving in California's workforce.”

— Kellie Todd Griffin, President and CEO, California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute

“I was always the person others relied on for solutions. After my father passed, the well was empty. I realized the Marsha who once had all the answers, no longer had one for herself.”

— Marsha Cole

“By opening the doors of the L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center in Long Beach to SheWorks, we're helping create pathways that empower women to care for their health and advance their careers right in their own neighborhoods. This collaboration reflects our commitment to meeting people where they are and removing barriers to opportunity.”

— Jennifer Schirmer, Vice President of Medi-Cal Growth, Blue Shield Promise

“Economic stability is a powerful driver of health. Programs like SheWorks recognize that supporting women's career goals also strengthens families and neighborhoods. When women have the tools to build sustainable futures, the ripple effects extend far beyond the workplace and into the overall well-being of our communities.”

— Charlie Robinson, Chief Health Equity Officer and Head of Community Health, L.A. Care

What’s next

Additional SheWorks cohorts are being planned for later this year at Community Resource Centers in South Los Angeles and Inglewood.

The takeaway

This partnership between Blue Shield Promise, L.A. Care, and the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute demonstrates a holistic approach to empowering Black women, addressing both career development and community well-being. By providing comprehensive support and resources, the SheWorks program aims to create pathways for economic mobility and long-term success.