Show Notes
What might be possible for Austin’s workforce if every employer saw talent the way the Urban League does?
Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, hosts Quincy Dunlap, President and CEO of the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL), on the Austin Hires Local podcast. Dunlap shares his remarkable journey from working the McDonald's fry station to working in the manufacturing and aviation industries, before finding his purpose in nonprofit leadership. Through these experiences and roles with the New York and National Urban League, Dunlap developed the servant leadership approach that eventually brought him to Austin, where he now leads AAUL in impacting over 30,000 local people annually.
The conversation explores Dunlap's entrepreneurial approach to navigating Austin's booming economy and affordability challenges while maintaining organizational integrity. Listeners gain insights into AAUL's comprehensive job-readiness programs, which provide business partners with measurable ROI through well-prepared employees. Dunlap shares powerful stories like Luke's transformation from homelessness to managing an AAUL resource center, and discusses the importance of "code-switching" to meet clients where they are. Looking ahead, Dunlap emphasizes his commitment to elevating vulnerable populations through collaborative partnerships with other service-oriented nonprofits.
Quincy Dunlap has spent the last 20-plus years working for the advancement of underserved, underrepresented and under resourced communities. Through various leadership roles at renowned non-profits, developing and implementing strategic programming, and partnering with entities in the public and private sectors, Quincy has proven a dynamic and inspirational leader with an unwavering commitment and passion for service and impact. Quincy earned his B.A. in political science from Lincoln University of Missouri and his Master of Education degree from William Woods University.
In This Episode:
- (00:00) Quincy's career journey from McDonald's fry cook to airlines, building his foundation for leadership
- (14:35) From running a nonprofit on campus to serving in the New York and National Urban League
- (20:33) The pivotal moment: sitting at "the right hand of power" and asking for access to leadership opportunities
- (27:38) Leading the Austin Area Urban League and impacting 30,000 local people annually through five empowerment areas
- (32:24) Luke's success story: from experiencing homelessness to managing an AAUL resource center
- (35:46) Creating ROI for AAUL business partners through comprehensive job-readiness programs
- (38:52) Building soft skills and the importance of "code-switching" to meet clients where they are
- (41:04) Navigating Austin's booming economy, affordability challenges, and changing federal landscape with an entrepreneurial mindset
- (44:32) Looking ahead: Quincy's vision for the resource center while staying collaborative with other service-oriented nonprofits
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About the show:
Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face – the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table – elected officials with a finger on the pulse of the economy, industry leaders from booming sectors like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades, and educators shaping young minds in our schools and post-secondary education programs. So, tune in and get ready to be informed, inspired, and maybe even surprised by the future of work in Austin.
Resources:
Quincy Dunlap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quincy-dunlap8a8a1960/
Austin Area Urban League: https://aaul.org/
Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn
Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual
About Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.
