Overview:
The first graduating class of the Black Women in Tech program in Ohio celebrated their completion of the program, which offers Google Career Certificates in high-demand tech fields, thanks to support from JPMorgan Chase, Google, and four other organizations.
By Tamara Lang
VP of External Relations
The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, Brighton Center, the Community Action Agency — Cincinnati | Hamilton County (CAA) and the Gaskins Foundation on March 15 celebrated the first graduating class of the Black women in Tech program.
Launched in November of 2023 with financial support from JPMorgan Chase, investments from Google and support from the Workforce Innovation Center of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, the Black women in Tech Program is designed to provide women of color with credentials that lead to high-growth career opportunities. The program offers Google Career Certificates in the fields of cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project management, and UX design. Participants do not need prior tech experience or a degree.
“Google is proud to congratulate everyone who has completed the Black women in Tech program and earned a Google Career Certificate,” Winton Steward, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Google. “We’re excited to support this initiative as it levels the playing field in the tech industry and helps more Black women reach their full economic potential.”
The Urban League provides a cohort experience where women enroll and begin the program together while Brighton Center, CAA and the Gaskins Foundation offers the program on a rolling basis. Additionally, all four organizations offer wraparound services, including “earn as you learn” incentives, child care, financial education workshops, access to a computer lending library, personalized mentoring support and workforce development and case management to ensure program completion.
“We are so proud and excited for this first class of graduates,” said Ebony Young, Vice President of Impact for the Urban League. “These women have worked hard to complete the work necessary to enter an in-demand field with good salaries and growth opportunities. We’re so happy to play a small role in their success and look forward to seeing what they do next.”
“At JPMorgan Chase, we know building a stronger, more inclusive economy is good for people, business and society and it starts with expanding opportunities for top talent from diverse backgrounds,” said Shannel Heath, Cincinnati’s Community Manager for JPMorgan Chase. “This work cannot be done in a silo, which is why we are proudly supporting organizations that demonstrate expertise in addressing systemic barriers to inclusive growth.”
Graduation was at the Holloman Center for Social Justice, 3539 Reading Road. The graduation keynote was by Jocelyn Whitfield, Vice President & Director of Information Security Engineering for Fifth Third Bank.
The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is committed to empowering communities and changing lives through programs focused on financial empowerment, workforce development, entrepreneurship advancement, leadership engagement and advocacy. To learn more, visit www.ulgso.org.