Even Georgia Congressman John Lewis was taken aback by the tidal wave of humanity that flooded Atlanta Technical College for the Congressional Black Caucus’ call to attend the “For the People” Job Fair and Town Hall Meeting. You could barely get off the highway for the endless river of cars that were lined up as far as miles away from the campus, powered by faith and high hopes. In all, some 8,000 Georgians spilled onto the sprawling college campus in search of employment amid seismic marketplace quakes that have reduced the economy to rubble.
“I expected a great turnout. But I didn’t expect this many people to come here,” Lewis said as throngs stood in long lines for several hours in the oppressive heat that caused a dozen or so to pass out.
Some job seekers pull at your heart as they detail what they’ve endured while being out of work many months ago. Others have become greatly disillusioned with the job fair process altogether, even before the CBC fair rolled into town. And still there are those who inspire others with their bottomless reservoir of perseverance and faith to keep going even as the weeks and months and bills continue to stack up.
Click on photos to see what participants had to say about their experience at the Congressional Black Caucus Job Fair held in Atlanta, GA:
