STRIVE

STRIVE Birmingham is grateful for impactful support from The Good Jobs Challenge and the City of Birmingham's Department of Innovation and Economic Development. Together we are helping people get a new start and find their pathway to possible. U.S. Economic Development Administration #workforcedevelopment #birmingham #goodjobschallenge #pathwaytopossible Quiwintre Frye Archie Stewart

It wasn't the money raised. Or even the inspiring speakers. STRIVE's 40th anniversary STRIVE gala was especially meaningful for me last week because we honored the incredible group of founders and pioneers who made STRIVE possible. From the basement of the Johnson Houses in East Harlem in 1984, STRIVE has grown into a national leader in building pathways of opportunity in communities nation-wide. Thanks to visionaries and pioneers such as Tom Rodman, Rob Carmona, Joe Scantlebury, Lorenzo Harrison, Loren Harris, Kim Elliman, Richard Brown, Dennis Walcott, Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs, and many more. In doing so, we honored the legacies of two giants, Sam Hartwell and Larry Jackson. Much gratitude to all who joined with STRIVE to celebrate this momentous milestone. And all who stand with STRIVE as we leap into our next 40 years. Watch a brief video with highlights of our inspiring 40th anniversary gala: https://lnkd.in/ekfnCjJA #inspiration #gala #economicopportunity #partnerships #legacy

Thank you for your partnership! Congratulations to the graduates!!

It was an historic night at the STRIVE 40th Anniversary Gala. Together we raised more than $1,050,000 and counting! Thank you for helping us reach this significant milestone—A STRIVE RECORD! These funds will provide crucial support as we continue to expand our programs and services nationally, growing to serve from 2,000 to 10,000 people annually by 2033 with up to 50% justice-impacted students. #workforcedevelopment #impact #empowerment

STRIVE turned 40 and I feel like this is the moment…the 40 year overnight success story! Last night could not have been more impactful, heartfelt and important. STRIVE ‘s new tagline , The Pathway to Possible, speaks to the incredible work that goes into literally changing people’s mindset, outlook, dreams, opportunities and life-altering outcomes. Believing in people, providing life-changing career skills training but also support to get through all the human hurdles that come with turning your life around, all are core to STRIVE ‘s mission and work. Tonight we honored Jacki Kelley and Joanne Wilson two extremely accomplished women who have embraced STRIVE and are living examples of dreaming big, giving back and leading with inspiration. From the moment I learned about STRIVE from Leslie Stahl’s 1994 60 MINUTES portrait of the organization, to joining the Board in the early 2000’s, I could not be more inspired and humbled by each and every one of my STRIVE family. Please take a look at the work they do. In a world where blame and hate seems to lead the narrative, STRIVE provides a Pathway to Possible success and love and purpose. This is not hyperbole, this is hope and possibility for all. Philip Weinberg Brian Friedman Roy Castro Judy McElnea Bonnie Howard arthur Kokut Daryl Lee Tonia O'Connor Tony Steadman Dr. Antoinette (Tonie) Leatherberry, Ed.D. Yvan-Claude Pierre (“YCP”) Tanya Rakpraja Randy Z. James Thomas Laura Slutsky Phil Salinger Marcie Klein Jamaul Webster Monique Baptiste Jonathan Bonaiuto Quiwintre Frye Ayesha George Angela Shiloh-Cryer Jomal Vailes Lionel Anderson Keith McAllister And thank you Michelle Domanico and Mark Oppenheimer and Modern Executive Solutions for supporting this momentous moment in the STRIVE journey.

Such a profound evening to attend the 40th anniversary STRIVE event with speakers from VOCAL-NY & more. To see Joanne Wilson of Gotham be honoured for the work she's done was a gift. Feeling gratitude to see the fruits of organizations I've worked in community with. ✨🙏🏾.

Today marks another amazing week in the D! Thanks to Workforce Warrior, Tracey Carey at Midwest Urban Strategies, the City of Detroit is playing host this week to the Motown Motor City Momentum Summit. I’m so proud to be here representing STRIVE as a community ambassador. As an organization celebrating 40 years of service to those who are underserved, STRIVE is excited to collaborate and partner with so many public and private enterprises as we look to make a difference in the D! There are so many wonderful workforce warriors in the room for the next few days including titans— Clyde McQueen at Full Employment Council, Inc., Robert Shimkoski, Stephanie Nixon and Dana L. Williams at the Detroit Employment Solutions, Lena Barkley from CVS Health and Larry Good, founder of the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) It’s also great to welcome my friend and fellow Interplayer, Sarah Freyman at Interplay Learning. They are doing amazing work building better skills, and better lives!

Last night was one filled with deep emotion at STRIVE’s annual gala. I had the honor of attending to recognize my dear friend, mentor, and former boss, Jacki Kelley for her extraordinary contributions to making the world a better place. Beyond her incredible career as a powerhouse industry icon, Jacki has also opened her heart and home, fostering 30 children over the past decade and adopting a beautiful little girl who was once her foster child. The night was brimming with powerful stories of people whose lives have been forever changed by STRIVE, an organization that has been tackling chronic unemployment and poverty in disenfranchised communities since 1984. One story that was especially moving was Eddie Gibbs’, a New York State assembly member for district 68, who went from incarceration as a teenager to earning his college degree while in prison. With STRIVE’s support, Eddie shared how he transitioned from "breaking the law to making the law"—a testament to the life-changing power of STRIVE's mission. The evening was also filled with insights and wisdom on the importance of community and resilience: "In order to get extraordinary, we have to give extraordinary." "We become what people tell us we should be." "The choices of the past are not the hallmark to our future." "Celebrate the tough stuff, scars inspire, showing that we are better than we were yesterday." "You need more than a job to succeed; you need people." "Success without succession is failure." Thank you to Jacki and my dear friend Daryl Lee for inviting me to share in such an inspiring evening. It was a night of celebrating not just Jacki’s incredible impact on all those lucky enough to know her, but also the broader ripple effect STRIVE has had on so many lives.

STRIVE #STRIVEBirmingham #workforcedevelopment

Congratulations to the incomparable @JackiKelley for your well deserved recognition last night at the Strive Gala. It was a night filled with purpose and love for humanity. STRIVE is an amazing and impactful organization you must support! The true definition of transforming lives. I loved celebrating Jacki with dear IPG and industry friends. More than well deserved!