CHICAGO –
40 Tons, an African-American and woman-owned social impact organization committed to restorative justice and equitable access to career opportunities, and presenting sponsor Good Green today announced their plans to host the sixth 40 Tons Level Up Career Conference & Business Expo, Presented by Good Green in Chicago on Monday, June 19, Juneteenth, at the Malcolm X College Conference Center, 1900 W. Jackson, Chicago. The event is free and open to the public.
The Level Up Career Conference is an innovative employment resource that promotes social justice and brings together employers who encourage equitable hiring practices with diverse job seekers. The core pillar of the conference is centered around restorative justice, with five key areas of focus: Employment, Expungement, Education, Empowerment, and Engagement.
“The path to restorative justice is through employment, education and expungement, and 40 Tons’ mission is to close the gaps within all industries, starting with the cannabis industry,” said Loriel Alegrete, CEO, 40 Tons Brand. “We’re excited to host the Level Up Conference in Chicago on Juneteenth, an important day of liberation for Black people. Our goal is to present a wide range of resources that go beyond a traditional job fair to be a catalyst for attendees to ‘level up’ in their careers.”
The presenting sponsor for the conference is Good Green, a cannabis brand dedicated to supporting communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. Good Green works with organizations nationwide, like 40 Tons, to create more employment and expungement opportunities for system-impacted individuals.
“We are proud to partner with 40 Tons to bring the Level Up Career Conference to Chicago,” said Jai Kensey, director of social impact at Green Thumb. “Good Green’s goal is to create opportunity in Black and Brown communities, and this career conference aligns directly with that mission. We look forward to connecting with diverse candidates and supporting their career journey.”
40 Tons is also collaborating with civic leaders and local organizations, including the Westside Justice Center, Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, several law firms, and law school students to
create an expungement clinic with comprehensive wraparound services, including offsite fingerprinting at the Chicago Police Department, securing rap sheets, petition creation, and providing legal aid. Congressman Danny K. Davis, key sponsor of the Second Chance Act of 2007 which is credited for helping 100,000+ individuals escape the cycle of recidivism following incarceration, will address attendees at the “State of Expungement in Illinois” session. Other conference partners are: Ascend Wellness, United Center, Engin Sciences, Brand Resumes, Illinois Cannabis Training Center and JoJo Simmons’ 3IsFour.
Award-winning CBS2 Chicago News reporter and National Association of Black Journalists President Dorothy Tucker will introduce Khadijah Tribble’s “Breaking The Glass Ceiling & Creating Your Own Lane” keynote presentation, which promises to be a highlight of the Level Up Career Conference. Tribble will provide attendees with the tools, inspiration, and strategies they need to overcome barriers and pave their own path to success. The session offers an opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds to gain invaluable insights from a renowned strategic advisor and make tangible progress in their professional journeys. Tribble has expertise advising senior leaders in government, non-profits, and the private sector on issues ranging from economic development to social justice. She is also Founder of Marijuana Matters and Chief Strategy Officer of Marijuana Policy Trust.
At the Chicago event, invitations have been extended to nearly a thousand individuals with previous non-violent convictions to participate in 40 Tons’ Canna Get A Second Chance program, offering free-of-charge services to participate in the career conference and expungement clinic and to access resources and information on the pathway to restorative justice. They will also have an opportunity to receive academic scholarships for virtual classes from Oaksterdam University.
The Level Up conference is designed to bring all aspects of career development into one location as a one-stop shop for attendees and provides a wide variety of services to job seekers, employers, brands, and consumers. The conference fuses hands-on education, essential resources, and a curated networking reception to offer:
A robust career conference with companies committed to diversity and inclusion, specifically targeting diverse communities;
A business expo featuring top Chicago businesses as well as leading organizations and brands within the cannabis industry, offering attendees insights into opportunities for entrepreneurship and career advancement;
A comprehensive expungement clinic designed to help individuals with previous convictions navigate the legal process and clear their records;
A series of empowering educational sessions focused on professional development and personal growth including topics such as Grow With Google, How to beat the ATS system to get your resume seen by HR Recruiters, Pivot Smarter Into the Industry (Transferable Skills), Is DEI a Buzzword?, Life After A Cannabis Conviction, Building a Social Impact Brand and Responsible Dispensary Agent Training, among others; and
Complimentary resume development, LinkedIn optimization, grooming services and professional headshots.
Since 2021, over 3,500 participants have engaged with or attended the five career conferences presented by 40 Tons held in Hawthorne, California, Oakland, California, Jersey City and Trenton, New Jersey that resulted in 88 cannabis industry vendors, 250+ follow up interviews, 100+ hired on the spot, and 35 scholarships awarded ($50K value).
For additional information and to register for the Level Up Career Conference, visit conferences.40 tons.co.
