Usher has partnered with IBM to create technology career opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds through his nonprofit organization, New Look. IBM’s SkillsBuild program will offer free courses in AI programming to New Look students, aiming to prepare them for the evolving technology industry. The partnership seeks to address the underrepresentation of certain communities in the tech field by providing training and skill development opportunities.
Founded in 1999, Usher’s New Look focuses on helping children and young adults develop career readiness and leadership skills. The participants in the SkillsBuild program will have access to courses on resume writing with generative AI, creating AI chatbots, and AI prompts, as well as lessons on job interviews and public speaking. Upon completion, the students will be equipped with the skills needed to pursue a career in technology.
IBM’s vice president and chief impact officer, Justina Nixon-Saintil, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting promising students from underrepresented communities through this collaboration. The use of AI in education and the workforce is becoming increasingly common, and the partnership aims to ensure that diverse groups are familiar with technological advances and can enhance their skills in this area.
The educational program will initially focus on underrepresented communities in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, with plans to expand to other locations in the future. Usher’s New Look will introduce the SkillsBuild program at its July Disruptivator Summit in Atlanta, providing students with valuable training and networking opportunities.
Overall, the partnership between Usher’s New Look and IBM represents a significant effort to bridge the gap in technology access and skills development for young people from diverse backgrounds. By offering free training and educational opportunities in AI programming, the collaboration aims to empower students to pursue successful careers in the technology industry and increase their social and economic mobility.
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https://www.blackenterprise.com/ushers-new-look-nonprofit-joins-ibm-build-tech-careers-diverse-youth/
