Policy Advocacy Expands

BSP’s Policy Advocacy team pictured in from of the state capitol building in Sacramento

Building Skills Partnership’s (BSP) policy framework integrates workforce development with immigrant inclusion and community advancement to advocate comprehensive methods of promoting prosperity, belonging, and wellbeing for California’s property service workers and their families.

BSP’s policy advocacy platform calls on decision makers and legislators to approach the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s racial reckoning as an opportunity to advance policies and investments that dismantle systemic barriers and reflect values of inclusion, equity, and shared prosperity.

Overseen by BSP’s Director of Systems Change & Worker Voice, Sylvia Romo, two individuals have recently joined the team, Michael Siciliano, Workforce Researcher and Diego Morales, Worker Voice Coordinator. 

Michael Siciliano joins BSP as a Workforce Researcher working on Systems Change. To this role, he brings his research experience as a sociologist of labor, labor movements, and organizations  (PhD, UCLA; MA, University of Chicago). Previously, Michael held research and teaching positions at Queen’s University, USC, UCSD, and Heartland Alliance’s Social Impact Research Center.

Michael’s published research received funding from the National Science Foundation to understand how precarious workers in “creative” industries navigate economic precarity as well as the uncertainties of working through digital platforms. This includes an award-winning book published in 2021 by Columbia University Press as well as peer-reviewed studies published in sociology and policy journals. Before all that, he grew up near Pittsburgh, PA where he played bass in punk bands and held a leadership role at a cooperatively run music venue dedicated to anti-racism, anti-sexism, and LGBTQ allyship.

Worker Voice Coordinator, Diego Morales has worked in public school settings for over seven years. Throughout his time, he has worked with diverse groups of students with different learning and socioemotional needs in various communities. Diego has extensive experience developing, implementing, and refining curriculum. He has a passion for developing curriculum that promotes safe and enjoyable learning experiences.

Diego’s mother was a night janitor who actively participated in programs hosted by BSP. He has many fond memories of those involved with the organization. He is very thankful for all the resources, educational opportunities, and authentic love offered by the people of BSP. He is very excited to be part of the team and is looking forward to collaborating.