OUR STORY
NPower is a national nonprofit that leverages an evidence-based model to foster economic empowerment through digital skill enhancement and industry-recognized credentials for military-connected individuals, young adults, and women from under-resourced communities. Our strength is seeing students of nontraditional backgrounds through pivotal life transitions. Our unique approach combines rigorous, free training and trauma-informed support services, career readiness skills, and job placement assistance.
We have offered foundational and advanced career training opportunities to over 10,000 graduates, with the goal of scaling to serve 15,000 annually by 2030—all while maintaining strong placement outcomes. Led by a committed team, we seek to create a tech workforce that mirrors the world around us and empowers students to drive change in their own lives and communities.
Over the past decade, NPower has expanded its program reach and developed a robust network of Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized enterprises, government agencies, staffing firms, and a network of nonprofit partners that host its interns and hire its graduates full-time. NPower is a vital solution towards bridging the national talent gap that exists in the high-growth technology industry.
To learn more about NPower, visit npower.org.
ORDER OF CEREMONY
OHIO
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Asia Fuqua
Employment Engagement Manager, NPower Ohio
PROGRAM DIRECTOR REMARKS
Allison Williams Site Director, NPower Ohio
INTRO TO ALUMNI SPEAKER
Kylan Hall NPower Ohio Trainee
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Charles Brown III
Tech Fundamentals Fall 2023
INTRO TO IMPACT SPEAKER
LeVon Phelps Jr. NPower Ohio Trainee
IMPACT SPEAKER
Willis Blackshear Jr.
State Representative for Ohio, District 38 and State of Ohio, Senator Elect
PRESENTATION OF GRADUATION CERTIFICATES
Allison Williams- Site Director, NPower Ohio
Demarus Crawford-White, DBA - Executive Director, NPower Ohio
INTRO TO KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Al Davidson NPower Ohio Trainee
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Darius Beckham
Senior Policy Aide to City of Dayton Mayor, Jeffrey J. Mims
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL AWARDS
Julie Arias - Social Support Manager, NPower Ohio
Sir’Anthony Keyton - Recruitment & Admissions Manager, NPower Ohio
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM CITY OF DAYTON MAYOR
Mayor Mims
CLOSING REMARKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Demarus Crawford-White, DBA Executive Director
RECEPTION
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Darius Beckham
Senior Policy Aide to City of Dayton Mayor, Jeffrey J. Mims
Darius Beckham is a proud Dayton native and graduate of the University of Dayton where he earned his B.A. in Political Science and Sociology. He began his public service career as an AmeriCorps member with the City of Dayton in the Community Engagement Division and quickly advanced to the position of Legislative Aide to former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.
In 2021, Darius joined former Congressman Tony Hall’s Hall Hunger Initiative as Project Manager where he lobbied for a more equitable food system in the Dayton region and successfully managed the distribution of $100,000 in microgrants to local projects aimed at reducing food insecurity.
Since 2022, Darius has served as Senior Policy Aide to Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims and works tirelessly to plan and execute the Mayor’s key focus of retaining young talent and helping ensure all Daytonians have the ability and opportunity to thrive.
Darius is a 2020 fellow of the New Leaders Council of Southwest Ohio, an alumni of LEAD Ohio’s Leadership Academy, and a graduate of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. He is currently earning his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Dayton.
As a dedicated public servant and a strong believer of investing in people, he gladly serves on various boards including the Omega Community Development Corporation, The Montgomery County Ohio College Promise Program, and Hall Hunger Initiative.
IMPACT SPEAKER
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Willis Blackshear Jr.
State Representative for Ohio, District 38 and State of Ohio, Senator Elect
Willis Blackshear Jr. is currently serving in his second term as State Representative for Ohio’s 38th House District, which includes the City of Dayton, Riverside, and parts of Huber Heights. He is the Senator-elect for Ohio Senate District 6 with his term commencing in January of 2025. Rep. Blackshear serves his hometown the only way he knows how—by working together to find solutions to the issues that matter most to working people and families. He is prioritizing ways to reinvest in area neighborhoods and communities, bring tax dollars back to the district and put more money back in the pockets of Ohio taxpayers. Rep. Blackshear is committed to helping Ohioans achieve the American Dream. A Dayton-area native, Rep. Blackshear formerly served as an outreach specialist at the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office and earned his BA in Political Science from Wright State University in Dayton. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Ohio State.
Charles Brown III
Tech Fundamentals Fall 2023
U.S. Military Veteran Spouse
IT Field Support Specialist II, Premier Health Partners
A dedicated IT professional and student, Charles has a passion for technology, education, and community empowerment. He graduated from NPower’s Information Technology program and transitioned from a successful six-year career in sales into the field of information technology.
Currently, Charles works as an IT Support Specialist at Premier Health. He is also pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Cloud Computing at the School of Technology at Western Governors University and currently holds certifications from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and CompTIA.
Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Charlesactively contributes to his community. He was featured in The Dayton Daily News for his leadership in a tech learning event aimed at improving digital literacy for Dayton residents. As a volunteer with the Victory Project, a mentoring and personal development program for disengaged young men, Charles spearheaded an initiative to provide professional headshots, enhancing participants’ LinkedIn profiles and job market competitiveness.
In his free time, Charles enjoys analyzing economic trends and exploring financial markets. He is also an avid basketball fan and an investment enthusiast. Charles is passionate about youth development and aims to continue driving initiatives that empower others and foster economic growth.
GRADUATES CONGRATULATIONS!
Ohio, Tech Fundamentals Fall 2024
Kylan Hall
Isaiah Thompson
Dorian Candler
Antoine Harrison
Tracey Brown
LeVon Phelps Jr.
Adryan Jefferson
Taylor Newland
Janiyah Roseway
Darika Duckworth
Amir Riggins
Arian Ford
Amari Ford
Aniya Ford
Michael Miller
Jesse Clark
Alicia Davidson
Ky’Ell McKinney
Jonathan Baldwin
Wren Willis
KEY CLASS STATISTICS
52% Women 70% CompTIA ITF+ Certification*
8 Referred to Our Program Through an NPower Alum or Staff Member
SPECIAL THANKS
THANK YOU
to our Employment and Community Partners, Sponsors, and Funders
Supporters (Financial and In-Kind)
Resource Partners Financial and in-kind
City of Dayton
Cross Street Partners
The Dayton Foundation
Fifth Third Bank Foundation
LexisNexis
MetLife Foundation
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
The KrogerFoundation
Ross Motors
Wright Patt Credit Union
CenterPoint Energy
Rotary Club
CareSource
Mathile Family Foundation
Employment and Community Partners
AltaFiber
CareSource
City of Dayton
Crown Equipment
Central State University
Miami Valley Urban League
Montgomery County
Nexus Blue
Premier Health
Reynolds & Reynolds
Savvy Purple Squirrel
Sinclair Community College
University of Dayton
Wright Patt Credit Union
Wright State University
Dayton Equity Center
Wilberforce University
OHIO REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Matthew Chaney VP, Inclusive Excellence
Wright State University
James Cosby
Executive Director
Bottom Line
Sean Lightfoot
Realtor
Howard Hanna
Alicia Manning
Senior Manager
Windes Advisory | Audit | Tax
James Pickens CFO Tri-Tec Integration LLC
Jon Rike CIO City of Dayton
Kari Tucker Vice President Caresource
Kalunde Wambua Vice President Caresource
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HIRING DYNAMIC TECH CANDIDATES?
The trainees and graduate speakers you heard from this evening represent the high caliber of talent that this Fall 2024 cohort embodies. NPower Ohio graduates are ready to apply their newly acquired technical and professional skills . If your company is looking for innovative, qualified tech talent, scan the code below to learn more about NPower Ohio becoming your tech talent pipeline solution.
