The US Women's National Team has arrived at a $24 million settlement to resolve litigation accusing the US Soccer Federation of discriminating against female players via unequal compensation and working conditions. The settlement would require US Soccer to pay women and men an equal rate in the World Cup, as well as all future tournaments and exhibition games.

Companies that address disability accommodations gain an advantage in securing the talents and business of the 61 million Americans with disabilities, as well as their friends and relatives, writes disability advocate Andrew Pulrang. In addition, accidents and illnesses can create disabilities, which "should give any business owner or manager pause before dismissing disability issues as 'someone else's problem,'" Pulrang writes.

Employee hardship programs that offer grants that don't have to be paid back or don't assess interest may help individuals handle financial stress in the short term, but they tend not to be practical in the long run, writes Dan Macklin. The programs can be burdensome to administer, and they may not allow for individual privacy, among other issues.

An initiative to redirect individuals with connections to gangs will start this summer at Long Beach City College and the University of Southern California. About 300 students with known gang affiliations will be offered career and mental health counseling, mentoring and other services as they work toward an associate degree or certificate.

Research shows that people don't see leadership potential in women as they do in men, which explains in part why US women comprise almost half of the entry-level workforce but only about 21% of the C-suite. Debunking this bias will take time, but there are certain steps companies can take, such as offering mentors to women and training hiring managers to be mindful of biases they may hold.

My cousin Monique grew up rough. Her parents broke up when she was young and she was in the streets early. We would see each other at family functions. We got along fine, but our relationship was awkward. I was a bit older than her and into sports and school. She partied often and was in a gang. We didn’t understand each other’s lives.

Fast forward to adulthood. Monique’s life hasn’t gotten much easier. She’s often struggled with unemployment and her significant other has spent extended time in prison, leaving her to raise their children on her own. They lost one of their sons to an illness and just a few months ago, her mother passed away after a battle with COVID-19.

And yet, Monique has a resilient spirit. She reminds me of Omar Perez, highlighted in today’s Path to Workforce story about a Long Beach City College program aimed at helping former gang members get their college degrees. Perez and Monique, both in their 40s, made “mistake after mistake” during their younger, gang-led years but are working hard to turn their lives around. Monique, now a grandmother, wants stability and to set a different example for her grandchildren. Perez is pursuing a college degree.

Right on. I have genuine respect for those who acknowledge errors, allow themselves to be humbled and then do the hard work of changing their lives. And I am enormously grateful for the LBCC-type programs that help these individuals find their footing again, in a healthier, better place.

How can I serve you better with this brief? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.