U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell hosted an inaugural job fair on July 31, 2025, and welcomed hundreds of job seekers and over 50 employers to the event at the Millennium Student Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Bell said one of his top priorities is “driving regional growth by helping people access employment opportunities and the resources they need to thrive.”
“We put together this job fair with a simple belief: that regional growth starts from the ground up,” said Bell in a statement.
“St. Louis is full of talented, hardworking people who are ready to build a better life for themselves and a stronger economy for all of us. But for too long, too many have been left on the sidelines.
“Folks with the skills, the drive, and the heart, but without the right opportunity. That’s why we’re here today, to help close that gap.”
The July jobs report released by the Department of Labor shows that Black unemployment rose to 7.2%. It is the highest rate since 7.8% in October 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black unemployment is up from 6.3% a year ago and 6.8% the month before. The Black unemployment rate reached a historic low at 5% during May 2023.
The Labor Department statistics also show that Black women have experienced a significant increase in unemployment over the past year. Their rate has climbed from 5.5% to 6.3%.
Bell said there are plans to make the job fair an annual event.
[“My team] is already in talks to expand the event next year — with more employers, more resources, and more opportunities for job seekers,” he said.