Uber partners with NAACP to increase flexible work opportunities
Today more than 400,000 people drive with Uber across the U.S. Most choose to do so because they want more control over their time and their income. With Uber, there is no set schedule: people can drive — or not drive — when and where they want. For many people, it’s an easy way to earn income while fitting work around other obligations, like caring for children, starting a business, going back to school, or applying for a full-time job.
Last week, we announced a partnership with the New Jersey NAACP to recruit at least 3,000 drivers from low-income communities around the state. This follows on similar efforts in Chicago, Connecticut and several other cities and states. In New Jersey, we’re focusing on the dozen or so counties where median income is below the state median.
In the words of U.S. Senator Cory Booker:
“Creating jobs in low income communities through shared economic platforms and strong partnerships like this is critical to providing support to New Jersey families who need it most while strengthening our region’s economy.”
As CBS reported, “for Atlantic City hairstylist Eugene Lamarr, a drop in business last spring meant looking for a new way to support his family. He didn’t have to look any further than his car, his phone and an app called Uber. He signed up, passed a background check and vehicle inspection, then was on his way.”
For more reading, check out our previous posts with drivers’ personal stories, data on how Uber serves parts of cities not well-connected to other forms of transportation, and how Uber can help reduce transportation discrimination.
