August 1, 2023, marked the beginning of Black Business Month that celebrates the success and innovation of African-American entrepreneurs.
In February 2023, the SBA Office of Advocacy released a report, indicating that 3.12 million Black-owned businesses generate $206 billion in annual revenue, supporting 3.56 million U.S. jobs. “That’s millions of people filling the needs of our local communities and creating jobs for workers of all backgrounds.”
KRA, founded in 1981 by Knowlton R. Atterbeary, is proud to be one of those 3.12 million enterprises, and of its recognition as a National Leader in Workforce Development Services.
Early in a career devoted to community- and economic-development, Mr. Atterbeary became convinced that sustainable economic development was linked inextricably to effective workforce development at the local level. Thus, a vision became his life’s mission, i.e., operating community-based programs that develop workers, strengthen communities, and produce strong regional economies.
KRA’s first local workforce-services contract resulted in an Outstanding WIA Program Award from the state of Kentucky. Subsequently, we have provided operations—for Adult/Dislocated, Youth, and Older Workers—funded through WIA/WIOA, ARPA, EDA, and private-sector entities for more than 45 Regional, County, State, and local WDB and TANF clients in 12 states and DC.
KRA thanks the thousands of employees, many of whom were former Career Services customers, who have come through our corporate and program offices—in-person and virtually—in the last 42 years, providing the compassion, knowledge, and skills that have made KRA the successful business it is today, and will be for many tomorrow’s to come.
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
