COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Donella Sharp-Braxton leans in to her faith in times of crisis and for more than a year she has been in the middle of one. She was working full time and had recently earned her MBA when she was laid off from her job in August of last year.

"I did apply for unemployment," Sharp-Braxton said. "I did receive that until February of 2025 and they said the funds had been exhausted, so it's like, oh God, what do I do?"

In the meantime, she kept applying for jobs, dozens of them.

News 5's Dianne Derby: It's hard to imagine that you couldn't find a job.

Donella Sharp-Braxton: I am still in awe at that.

Sharp-Braxton even earned an graduate certificate in artificial intelligence systems management, hoping it would increase her chances of getting one.

"I think in order fo

See Full Page