Ever heard someone say, “The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately?” That’s not a quote from a motivational poster — that’s the lived philosophy of Walter L. Simmons, the Secretary of the newly-created Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility (DOSM) — the first cabinet-level agency in America dedicated to social equity and economic mobility.Walter didn’t start in a boardroom. He started on a football field in rural South Carolina, chasing a scholarship and a dream of law enforcement. But somewhere between criminal justice classes and real-world reality, he had a realization that changed everything: by the time someone touches the criminal justice system, the trauma has already happened. So instead of responding to the problem, he decided to prevent it.That shift in mindset set Walter on a path that took him from managing economic mobility centers with the United Way, to the 2014 White House Summit for Working Families under President Obama, through Prince George’s County where he grew a workforce organization to a $30 million annual budget with 150 employees — and ultimately to the office he holds today, leading a system designed to give Maryland’s small, minority, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged businesses access to over $100 billion in annual state commerce.In this episode, Walter sits down with host Lorraine Lane to unpack what economic mobility actually looks like in practice — from the difference between being eligible and being suitable for a contract, to the five-level ecosystem DOSM is building across all 24 Maryland jurisdictions.

He breaks down why public-private partnerships are the backbone of economic change, why workforce development isn’t about entitlement but about opportunity, and why R&D in this field stands for something entirely different than you’d expect.Key Takeaways from This Episode:• Why poverty and the criminal justice system are dangerously intertwined — and how workforce development breaks the cycle• The three stages of economic mobility: instability, stability, and prosperity — and where you are right now• What Maryland’s $100 billion procurement landscape means for minority and small businesses• The real difference between being eligible and being suitable for a contract• Why “life is written in pencil” — and how to keep erasing and rewriting your story• Walter’s mantra: “You can never be ready, but you can always be prepared”Subscribe, share, and drop a comment — because conversations like this one are exactly how we build a workforce that works for everyone. iBuild America Podcast — Building Workforce Success, One Podcast at a Time.

What happens when two women who've spent careers in the trenches of workforce development sit down and just… tell the truth?

Host Lorraine Lane is joined by Meghan Burke, Director of School Employment Programs for Metro South/West Workforce Board, and Apryl Simmons, Consultant for Workforce Development, Healthy Homes Repair Manager, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.

What starts as a conversation about WIOA and apprenticeship quickly turns into something much bigger — a real, unfiltered look at what's broken, what's possible, and what's at stake for America's next generation of workers.

The hard questions don't get avoided here: Why is Job Corps so siloed from the community resources right outside its fence? Why are students still being set up to train for careers their records will never let them enter? And why aren't young people in these programs being treated like college students instead of high school students?

But it's not all problems. Meghan and Apryl bring ideas that cut through the noise — from crediting Job Corps training toward apprenticeship hours (cutting training time in half), to building apprenticeship programs for Job Corps staff, to partnering nationally with mental health platforms to meet a youth mental health crisis that the field can no longer afford to ignore. This is the kind of conversation that makes the complicated feel solvable.

Subscribe to the iBuild America Podcast wherever you listen — new conversations every week on the people, programs, and ideas building America's workforce from the ground up.

What happens when someone believes in you before you believe in yourself?

What started as a role helping students at Job Corps became a lifelong mission. Korey Adams reflects on his journey from Job Corps counselor to CEO of Distinction, LLC—and the purpose that guided him every step of the way.

But this conversation goes deeper than business.

It’s about risk. Resilience. Purpose. And the power of truly seeing people—not just for where they are, but for who they can become.

From life lessons at a gas station to leading a growing federal contracting company, Korey opens up about:

Why belief changes lives

• The realities of leadership and entrepreneurship
• What makes Job Corps transformational
• Why students succeed when people genuinely care

One message stands out:

People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and hear why purpose-driven leadership still matters.

What if the life you want is waiting—just outside of what you’ve always known?At the Talking Leaves Job Corps Center, located in the heart of the Cherokee Nation, that’s exactly what’s happening.

In this episode, Jill Zimmer shares how this unique center is helping young people—many from rural and tribal communities—step into new opportunities while staying connected to their culture, identity, and community.

From open spaces and hands-on training to cultural traditions like Cherokee stickball, Talking Leaves is more than a training center—it’s a place where students begin to see a bigger future for themselves.

Because for many, this is the first time they’ve stepped outside what they’ve always known.

And that’s where everything changes.

Take a chance. Give yourself a chance.

Listen now, subscribe, and discover how opportunity and culture come together to shape the next generation.

Sometimes, all it takes is one person to see something in you.

Lorraine Lane sits down with Rodney Butler, Executive Director at Adams and Associates, to talk about a 25-year journey shaped by leadership, growth, and opportunity through Job Corps.

Rodney didn’t start where you might expect—from bowling alleys to finance, and eventually into leadership—his path is proof that careers aren’t always linear… but they are full of possibility.

What makes this conversation powerful isn’t just his story—it’s what it represents.

You’ll hear insights on:

• How Job Corps helps young people discover their leadership potential

• Why being “seen” can change the trajectory of someone’s life

• The importance of culture, communication, and continuous improvement

• How leadership skills can transfer across any path

• Why “every student counts” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a mindset

One message stands out:

Opportunity is everywhere—you just need someone to help you see it.

If you’ve ever wondered how leadership is built, how lives are changed, or why this work matters—this episode delivers.

Listen now, subscribe, and be part of building the next generation of leaders.

Job Corps has always been about opportunity—and its future is full of even greater potential.

In this episode of the iBuild America podcast, Dr. Francis Cole is joined by Korey Adams (CEO, Distinction LLC), Ramon Serrato (CEO, Serrato Corporation), and Brian Fox (CEO, Education & Training Resources) for a powerful panel discussion on what’s next for one of the nation’s most impactful workforce development programs.

With decades of combined experience, this group reflects on the strength of Job Corps—and how it can continue to evolve to meet the needs of today’s workforce and tomorrow’s opportunities.

You’ll hear honest perspectives on:

• Why compliance alone is no longer enough

• How outdated policies are limiting innovation

• The urgent need for flexibility at the local level

• What AI literacy should actually look like for students

• Why investing in staff is just as critical as training students

This isn’t just about programs—it’s about preparing people for a future that’s already here.

Because when you step back, one thing becomes clear:

The foundation is strong—and the future is full of opportunity.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and be part of the next chapter of Job Corps.

What does it take to dedicate over 30 years to changing lives?

In this episode of the iBuild America podcast, Lorraine Lane sits down with Roxanne Chin, Vice President at Bizzell Corporation, a global organization committed to transformation and impact.

Roxanne’s journey started with a simple newspaper ad in 1992:

“An exciting job to change lives.”

She answered—and never looked back.

This conversation is about more than workforce development. It’s about purpose.

Roxanne shares what has kept her passionate for decades—and what it will take to inspire the next generation of leaders to step into this work.

You’ll hear powerful insights on:

• Why this work is about service, not just employment

• How to inspire and retain the next generation of leaders

• The importance of meeting students where they are—emotionally and professionally

• Why innovation, creativity, and fun are essential to success

• How Job Corps must evolve for a tech-driven, post-pandemic world

One message stands out:

“We’re not giving a handout—we’re giving a hand up.”

If you care about people, leadership, and real transformation—this episode will stay with you.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and join the mission to build a stronger workforce.

What started as a $17,000-a-year counseling job turned into a 30+ year mission to change lives.

In this episode of the iBuild America podcast, Lorraine Lane sits down with Jeff Barton, Senior Vice President at Management Training Corporation (MTC)—one of the most influential leaders in Job Corps.

Jeff shares how he stumbled into the program straight out of college… and never left.

But this isn’t just a career story—it’s a powerful reminder of what happens when people believe in people.

From mentoring future leaders to building partnerships that expand opportunity, Jeff opens up about:

• Why leadership development is critical to student success

• The importance of investing in people—not just programs

• How Job Corps continues to transform lives every single day

• And why calling it a “best kept secret” needs to stop

One moment you won’t forget:

A student tells Jeff, “Two weeks ago, I was sleeping in the backseat of a car… I love my room.”

That’s the impact.

If you’ve ever wondered what real workforce development looks like—or why it matters—this conversation will stay with you.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and be part of building a stronger America—one life at a time.

Workforce development is more than training programs and job placements — it’s about creating real opportunities for people to transform their lives.

In this episode, we hear from Quasandria “Q” Curry, Director of Westside Works in Atlanta, whose work focuses on helping individuals gain the skills, support, and confidence they need to enter meaningful careers.

Raised on Atlanta’s west side, Q understands firsthand the barriers many people face when trying to access good jobs and stable opportunities. Through her leadership at Westside Works, she has helped build career pathways, training programs, and wraparound support services that empower individuals and families across the community.

In this conversation, she shares insights on:

• What workforce development really means beyond the buzzwords
• Why access and opportunity are often the missing link for talented people
• The reality of economic mobility and poverty in Atlanta

• How wraparound services help people not only get jobs but keep them

• Why helping one person can transform an entire household and community

At its core, this episode is about hope, opportunity, and the people working every day to open doors for others.

If you care about workforce development, economic opportunity, and building stronger communities, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Watch now and subscribe for more conversations shaping America’s workforce.

What happens when someone spends more than three decades helping young people rewrite their futures?

In this episode, we sit down with Peni Webster-Lewis, a respected workforce development leader who recently concluded an extraordinary career with the Job Corps program. From her beginnings as an orientation specialist to serving as Acting Deputy Administrator for the national program, Peni’s work helped shape opportunities for thousands of young people across the country.

Drawing from both her military background and decades of leadership in youth development, she shares powerful lessons about resilience, opportunity, and what it really takes to prepare the next generation for the workforce.

This conversation explores:

• Why opportunity is often the missing ingredient in success
• The misconceptions people have about today’s youth
• Why soft skills matter just as much as technical skills
• How workforce development programs truly change lives
• What the future of workforce training needs to look like

At its heart, this episode reminds us that workforce development isn’t just about jobs — it’s about people, potential, and the chance to build a better future.

If you care about education, workforce development, mentorship, or the future of America’s workforce, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more stories shaping America’s workforce.