Kuliema Blueford

Kuliema Blueford, a native of Altadena, California, has over 15 years experience in various facets of Workforce Development. Passionate about empowerment, creating opportunities and leveling the playing field for the under privileged; her 15 year career with The Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) began in the LAUL’s Pasadena Foothill Branch as an Instructor’s Assistant. Kuliema instantly felt she had found her calling; rapidly mastering her position and offering contributions in any way she was needed.

Kuliema’s commitment and strong work ethic facilitated her promotion to various positions within the Center. In 1997, she was transferred to the newly launched West Adams-Baldwin Hills One Stop Center. Her passion and commitment was recognized immediately and within 2 years she was promoted to Case Manager and subsequently Employment Specialist successfully providing employment and training related services to center customers. In 2000 she was promoted to Manager, Case Management, where she was instrumental in developing and designing of many of the policies, procedures, systems and data collection methods for the One Stop Center many of which are utilized across the LAUL’s employment and training programs as well as the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development System.

Kuliema’s work in various positions within the center prepared and broadened her perspective as it pertains to the inner workings and development of programs. In 2002, Kuliema was promoted to Director of the West Adams Baldwin Hills One-Stop. Serving in this capacity, she has played a vital role in the crafting and implementation of the Los Angeles Urban League One-Stop’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) programs, strategic plans, Best Practice methods as well as various training programs for both Youth and Adults.

Kuliema’s work as a coalition builder has successfully created partnerships and congregated resources to provide services and opportunities for jobseekers and individuals seeking economic self-sufficiency. As a servant to the community, she serves on numerous advisory committees, councils and boards. She holds memberships to the California Workforce Association (CWA), the National Association of Workforce Development professionals (NAWDP) and currently serves as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR). She also sits on the Stakeholders Board representing workforce development efforts for the Mid City Recovery Project. Other projects in which she was involved were City of Los Angeles’ 8th and 10th Council Districts gang aversion and Day Labor Programs, LAPD’s Recruitment Advisory Committee and a Coalition of Brotherhood Crusade and 100 Black Men of Los Angeles to address the needs and provide services to Hurricane Katrina Victims relocating to the Los Angeles area.

A native of Altadena, California, Kuliema attended school in Pasadena Unified School District. In addition to a number professional certifications, she is scheduled to complete her B.S. in Workforce Education and Development in fall of 2010 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Kuliema continues to reside in Altadena raising her 17-year-old son.