Coverage of Briefcase Brigades:

For some, job market still tough but more promising, Erin Cunningham, 4/29/11

“Kinkead was one of four people who met with a representative of U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D-Dist. 8 ) of Kensington to ask Congress to focus on creating jobs for younger members of the work force.

At the meeting, which took place in Rockville, Kinkead said there is a lack of emphasis on jobs for youths — despite the fact that unemployment among those under 30 is about double the national average of 8.8 percent.

In 2010, unemployment among 20- to 24-year-olds nationwide was 15.5 percent. Last year in Maryland, the figure was 12.6 percent, according to the most recent state data.

Kinkead, who organized Wednesday’s event, said it was part of many ‘Briefcase Brigades’ taking place nationwide. Participants dressed for job interviews and carried briefcases into Van Hollen’s office.”

Tallahassee Democrat: Briefcase Brigades Descend on the Capitol, Kendra Anderson, 4/28/11

“The rally for job creation was a national day of action for Briefcase Brigades, a campaign of concerned young voters, which Tallahassee students recently joined.

“About 50 schools are participating in this nationwide stance,” said Genesis Robinson, a FAMU student and one of the rally’s leaders.

“Unemployment for Americans under 30 is 16.7 percent, which is way above the national average.”

Participants were dressed in business attire and carried sample resumes which outlined Briefcase Brigades’ facts on the jobs crisis for young adults. They dropped off the resumes at the offices of various legislators and the governor.”

Angry (and Unemployed) College Grads March on Congressional Offices, Liz Dwyer, 4/27/11

“Are you a college student or recent graduate looking for work? It’s time to join the Briefcase Brigade. Act fast—it’s happening today. This new grassroots youth movement (which we first mentioned last week) wants you to suit up like you’re heading to a job interview, grab a briefcase, march on your local congressional office with your resume and demand that our lawmakers invest in job creation.”

“Members of Congress are home for recess, and this is the time they set aside to listen to constituents. If you’re out of work, don’t be shy about telling your representative, ‘I need a job.’”

Young Voters Launch Briefcase Brigades to Highlight Youth Jobs Crisis, Sarah Burris, 4/27/11

“Briefcase Brigades speak to the challenges we face that politicians just aren’t listening to. We are the most educated and tech savvy generation, yet unemployment for Americans under 30 is 16.7%, double the national average. The average student loan debt facing graduates today is over $24,000. Our generation is graduating off a cliff – each year, graduates are stuck facing off in the labor market with unemployed graduates from the prior year.”

“As Washington focuses on addressing the nation’s debt burden, young voters are taking a stand and telling their members of Congress that job creation is what we need right now. Despite our generation’s considerable political importance, neither party has a plan to address this growing crisis. We want to tell politicians of both party who think that young people care more about deficit reduction than jobs to pay closer attention. As the 2012 election approaches, the voice of young voters will only grow in importance. We’re finding our voice and speaking out about the issues that affect us personally.”

WAMU Washington, DC : Briefcase Brigades Look to Lawmakers for Answers, Courtney Subramanian, 4/27/11

” Around the country there were large turnouts of Brigade units at district congressional offices in Dover, Del., and Tallahassee, Fla., according to spokeswoman Diane May. Other Brigade members also were expected to show up at congressmen’s local offices in Boston, Kansas City, Madison, Wis., Houston, Irvine, Calif., and Santa Cruz, Calif.”

WAMU Washington, DC : Young Adults Head to Capitol Hill to Ask Where Are the Jobs (Audio), Courtney Subramanian, 4/27/11

“As Congress negotiates impending budget cuts including a possible reduction of federal grants to college students, unemployment among those under 30 is higher than the national average. A group of young adults who call themselves the “Briefcase Brigade” is heading to Capitol Hill Wednesday to urge lawmakers to support educational funding and to deliver on promises of jobs. “

WBOC Dover, DE : Students Speak Out Against Youth Unemployment, Jeremy Tucker

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 17 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds are unemployed. And landing a job is proving to be difficult for many graduates. On Wednesday a group of Delaware State University students visited U.S. Sen. Tom Carper’s Office in Dover to voice concerns over what they are calling the youth unemployment crisis.

The students were dressed in suits and carried briefcases as if they were heading to an interview.  Inside the briefcases students carried special resumes, calling for politicians to help create jobs for America’s youth.

Good Magazine: Young? Need a Job? Join the Briefcase Brigades,  4/22/11.

“So if you’re young and need a job, there’s probably nothing better you could do next Wednesday than form or join one of these “Briefcase Brigades.”

The Wonkroom: Powershift 2011: Join the Briefcase Brigades, Noland Chambliss, 4/21/11.

“On April 27th, while Congress is in recess and members are back in their districts, young people are creating Briefcase Brigades and going to their offices all around the country to demand Congress prioritize jobs over budget cuts. …Chances are you know one of these young people. Someone living with their parents long after they decided they wanted to move out. Someone working their second or third unpaid internship. Someone working several part time jobs, with no health insurance, who still struggles to make ends meet.”

Campus Progress: FOX News Goes to Powershift, Katie Andriulli, 4/21/11.

“Enter the “Briefcase Brigades,” a new grassroots movement unofficially launched at Powershift and inspired by the vision of AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka and green jobs pioneer Van Jones. The movement plays on the imagery of the young professional job-seeker to make a strong visual statement about Millenial unemployment.”

Spark Action: At Least I Have Street Cred … and a Snazzy Suit for April 27, Alison Beth Waldman, 4/18/11.

“[Briefcase Brigades] can spark some fresh new thought about what we need to do legislatively to invest in jobs and the future. Because guess what, America?  We’re all going to have to take action. The Millennial generation IS your future.  Ready or not, here we come.  And we’re armed … with briefcases.”

Graduating Off a Cliff: The Millennial Generation’s Fight for Its Future, Van Jones & Lindsay McCluskey, 4/18/11

“Four-hundred student leaders of all political persuasions rallied on Capitol Hill recently, demanding public investment in higher education. They held a press conference and conducted 100 congressional visits. Their message?

‘WTF.’

That’s right. WTF. Where’s the Funding?”

“What will the Millennial Generation do? What young people always do: Innovate and fight back. Students are piloting new attention-getting tactics like Briefcase Brigades. On their upcoming national action April 27, youth and students across the country will dress up for job interviews, some with briefcases, and visit local offices of members of Congress. They will ask their elected reps to stop cutting education and jobs. Photos and videos will be posted in social media. Briefcase Brigades will be followed by graduation actions. Summer actions will build up to bigger actions in the Fall.”

Press Resources:

Briefcase Brigades Videos on YouTube

Briefcase Brigades Generational Resume