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 empower 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.
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ABOUT US
ORDER OF CEREMONY
MICHIGAN
WELCOME REMARKS
Kaleena Eugene-Louis, Program Director NPower Michigan
Jonathan Pride, Vice President, Field Operations U.S. Army Veteran NPower
EXCECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMARKS
José Reyes, Executive Director NPower Michigan
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Archie Drake, Chief Executive Officer Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Gary Purushotham, Chief Executive Officer DMC Sinai Grace Hospital
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Kelly Bryson
NPower Michigan Graduate, Tech Fundamentals Spring 2023 Project Analyst, State of Michigan
CLASS SPEAKER
Jordan Wilkins
NPower Michigan Graduate, Tech Fundamentals Spring 2024
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Johnnie Turnage Co-Founder Black Tech Saturdays
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL AWARDS AND GRADUATION CERTIFICATES
Raven Krist Technical Instructor, NPower Michigan
Dan Walters
Assistant Technical Instructor, NPower Michigan
Erica V. Peyton Recruitment and Admissions Manager, NPower Michigan
Mishae J. Rice
Social Support Manager, NPower Michigan
Rodney Smith
Career Placement Manager, NPower Michigan
Rose Wilson Placement Director, NPower Michigan
CLOSING REMARKS
Kaleena Eugene-Louis, Program Director NPower Michigan
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, RECEPTION, AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Marletta Boyd II, Development Director NPower Michigan
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Johnnie Turnage Co-Founder
Black Tech Saturdays
Johnnie Turnage, with nearly 15 years of experience, is an award-winning activist, campaign manager, and tech entrepreneur. Starting as a volunteer in the 2008 Presidential campaign at age 14, he became the youngest graduate of Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy. He serves on multiple advisory boards, mentors students, and is a public speaker and judge for tech competitions. In 2022, he contributed to Michigan’s first Tech Week Venture competition and co-founded Black Tech Saturdays in 2023, aiming to empower entrepreneurs through community organizing.
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Kelly Bryson
NPower Michigan Graduate, Tech Fundamentals Spring 2023
Project Analyst, State of Michigan
“I discovered NPower, and it was the best thing I could ever be a part of.”
STUDENT SPEAKER
Jordan Wilkins
NPower Michigan Graduate, Tech Fundamentals Spring 2024
“The NPower program has planted trees that will bear fruit for generations.”
SPEAKERS 4
CONGRATULATIONS!
Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals
Alysson Jones
Angel Martinez
Anthony Nero
Austin Wilson
Brandon Robinson
Briana Collado
Carrington Floyd
Casey Kurney
Chanté (CJ) Goss
Damen Shealey
Destinee Willis
Devaunta Morrow
Eleanor (El) Parkes
Gregory (Lou) Manns
Hailah (Hayla) Ahme
Haron Alkhadhri
Jaala Johnson
Jessie Conerly
Jordan Wilkins
Joshua Johnson
Joshua Meller
Kameron Vesey-Morris
Kenneth Creary
Keshawn Bryant
Keshawn Jones
Keyaudra Jackson
Kyese Wilson
Kyle Robinson
Kyrece Smith
Mara Leak
Mazharul Islam
Micah Howard
Michael Cessaro
Michael Mccrary
Mikaela Weber
Monwarul Islam
Randall Sullivan
Re’Jene Vanner
Rini (Skye) Timbrooks
Robert Jordan
Ronald (Ron) O’Neil
Ryan Montgomery
Thomas (Tom) McNeill
Timothy Griggs
Tyrece (Ty) Smith
Victor Lewis
KEY CLASS STATISTICS
5 81%* Retention 89% CompTIA ITF+ Certification 74% Graduates Identifying as Individuals of Color 46 Graduates *Michigan graduates
PARTNERS
THANK YOU
to Our Employment Partners, Funders and Volunteers
AAA of Michigan
Accenture
Ally Financial
America Axle & Manufacturing
Bank of America
Cadia
Call Center for Hire, LLC
Carhartt
Children’s Hospital
Continental
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC)
Detroit Medical Center
Detroit Parent Network
Detroit Public Schools Community District
DMC Sinai Grace Hospital
District Detroit
DTE Energy Foundation
Flip the Script
GalaxE Solutions
General Motors
Kapor Center
Logicalis
Michigan Department of Technology, Management, & Budget
Michigan Non-Profit Association
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Michigan Works! Association
NETSCOUT
Pomeroy IT Solutions
PNC Foundation
Rocket Companies
Stefanini
TekSystems
Urban Neighborhood Initiatives
Walker-Miller Energy
Wayne RESA
Wayne Metro
MICHIGAN REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Christine Burkette
Digital Equity Director
City of Detroit
Lisa Cawley
Managing Director Accenture Plc.
Chanel Hampton, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic Community Partners
Sean Perry
Chief Information Officer
Kelly
Myka Burley
Associate Director, Skills
Michigan Central
Julian Gantt
Application Development
Associate
NPOWER ALUM
Accenture Plc.
Harvey Hollins III, MPP
Senior Manager – Strategic
Founder and Managing Director
Hollins Consulting, LLC
Bryan Waldron Partner, FBRK Brands Founder, MANSA
Terrance Campbell
Cybersecurity Front Line Manger US IRS
Kimika Garrett, MS, SHRM-SCP
HR Business Operations Ford Motor Company
Spencer Lucker Director of Strategic Talent Initiatives
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Markeith Weldon
Chief Executive Officer
Weldon Global IT
Miguel Mickey
Client Executive, U.S. Public Sector State and Local Government
Microsoft
Dion A. Williams
Director Community Engagement
Detroit Medical Center
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SPONSORS
Thank you to our sponsors Detroit Medical Center, DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Michigan for making this ceremony possible
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New York | New Jersey | Texas | California | Maryland | Missouri | Michigan | North Carolina | Ohio CHANGING THE FUTURE OF TECH TOGETHER npower.org/locations/Michigan