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.
ORDER OF CEREMONY
OHIO
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Allison Williams
Site Director, NPower Ohio
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMARKS
Demarus Crawford-White, DBA Executive Director, NPower Ohio
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Jabari Peoples NPower Texas Graduate, Tech Fundamentals Spring 2017
IMPACT SPEAKER
Dr. Carmela Shackleford-Daniels, DSW, LISW-S
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
PRESENTATION OF GRADUATION CERTIFICATES
Allison Williams
Site Director, NPower Ohio
Demarus Crawford-White, DBA Executive Director, NPower Ohio
INTRODUCTION TO COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Demarus Crawford-White, DBA Executive Director, NPower Ohio
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Honorable Brandon C. McClain
Magistrate and Acting Judge, Dayton Municipal Court
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL AWARDS
Julie Arias
Social Support Manager, NPower Ohio
CLOSING REMARKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Allison Williams
Site Director, NPower Ohio
RECEPTION
A special THANK YOU to CROSS STREET PARTNERS AND
for supporting the Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals graduation!
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Honorable Brandon C. McClain
Magistrate and Acting Judge, Dayton Municipal Court
The Honorable Brandon C. McClain is an Attorney who currently serves as a Magistrate and Acting Judge in the Dayton Municipal Court. Previously, McClain served as the Recorder of Montgomery County, having been appointed in March 2018, elected in November of that same year, and then re-elected to a 4-year term in 2020.
Mr. McClain graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, the University of Cincinnati with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and the University of Dayton School of Law with a Juris Doctor. He is also a veteran, having served as a noncommissioned officer in the Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Sergeant prior to being honorably discharged. Magistrate McClain is admitted to the practice of law in the state of Ohio, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and the United States Tax Court.
In recognition of his efforts in public service, McClain was selected as a Leadership Ohio Fellow (Leadership Ohio, 2024), received an invitation to the prestigious State of Ohio Leadership Institute (The Ohio State University, 2021), the Huber Heights Military and Veterans Commission Award (City of Huber Heights, 2021), the National Association of Social Workers Region 7 Public Elected Official of the Year Award (NASW, 2020), the Herman Zerger Veteran of the Year Award (ODP, 2019), the Top Ten African American Male Award (Parity, Inc., 2019), the Forty Under 40 Award (the Dayton Business Journal, 2019), the Joseph Cinque Award (University of Dayton, 2018) and has been inducted into the Dayton Bar Association Foundation Fellowship (Dayton Bar Association, 2019).
In addition to his official duties, Mr. McClain serves as a member of the University of Dayton School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Sinclair Community College (SCC) Paralegal Program Advisory Committee, the SCC Real Estate Advisory Committee, the Dayton Mediation Center Board of Directors, the African American Community Fund (Component of the Dayton Foundation) Board of Directors, the Special Wish Foundation Dayton Board of Directors; the Dayton Urban Young Life Advisory Committee, the Law and Leadership Institute and is the Co-Chair of Wright Dunbar’s Medal of Honor Memorial Project Campaign.
IMPACT SPEAKER
Dr. Carmela Shackleford-Daniels, DSW, LISW-S
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dr. Carmela G. Daniels, DSW, LISW-S, is a distinguished social worker and educator with over 20 years of experience in the field of social work. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Ohio, holding a Doctorate in Social Work from Capella University, a Master of Social Work from Florida International University, a Bachelor of Social Work from Capital University, and an Associates Degree in Mental Health from Sinclair Community College.
Currently, Dr. Daniels serves as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Supervisor Status at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dayton, OH. Dr. Daniels is also the CEO of Dr. Carmela Daniels Mentoring & Counseling, LLC, where she offers individual mentoring and professional coaching, conducts workshops and presentations, and delivers public and keynote speaking engagements across Ohio. Her dedication to education is evident in her roles as an adjunct professor at various institutions, where she teaches, advises, and develops courses for social work learners at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
A recognized leader in her community, Dr. Daniels has been honored with numerous awards, including the 2022 NASW Region 7 Social Worker of the Year and the 2021 Community Gem by The Dayton Daily News.
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Jabari Peoples
U.S. Army and Marine Corps Veteran
NPower Texas Graduate, Tech Fundamentals Spring 2017 CEO/Owner, Overwatch Secure LLC (based in Ohio)
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, the youngest of three, Jabari Jelani Peoples was quickly introduced to the demands of the military life by being packed up and moved with his family to Germany after only being in the world for 6 months. His mother Patricia Peoples, having served 8 years herself in the Airforce (Staff Sargeant), is the backbone of the family and took all three kids on two flights by herself while his father (Master Sergeant Clifton Peoples), reported to his duty station at Ramstein Airforce Base.
After 4 years of Highschool Jabari opted to join the Marine Corp as it offered the most challenges. He served 4 years as an 1833(Amphibious assault Vehicle Crew chief) with the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion at Camp Pendelton, Ca. Jabari’s journey brought him to the front doors of Npower Dallas in October of 2016 where he applied for the Spring 2017 cohort and began in January. He graduated in June of 2017 along with thirty-six of his classmates. Although his career did not turn out to be in the Tech Industry Jabari has embraced his purpose as a protector and has established himself in the Security and Executive Protection Industry as a proven Team leader and integral part in the training and development of new field agents. He has two amazing kids, son Kelani-Marquis (25) and daughter Sydney Elise (19). He is married to his love Kathryn and currently owns his own business as a Safety and Security Consultant.
He has aways held close to what his father taught him for as long as he can remember, “Never forget where you come from!”
Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals NPower
Ohio Graduates
Donta Allen
Hayleigh England
Aunjela Gamble
Zora Gates
James Glenn
Jarmari Grant
Landon Harden
Chico Minor
Darren Popp
Myles Silas
Aaliyah Sumlin
Danny Vinson
Our Spring 2024 cohort included graduates from both Ohio and New Jersey. The New Jersey graduates were celebrated on June 27th in a ceremony at the NPower New York and New Jersey Graduation.
Congratulations Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals NPower New Jersey Graduates
Akayla Carpenter
Tatiana Franco
Semoy Legall
Farjah Muhammad-Higgins
Nasir Napier
Jasmine Small
Afaf Tahir
94% of Graduates Have Earned One or More
Certifications
KEY CLASS STATISTICS
82% Graduation Rate 84% of Graduates are Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color
52% of Graduates are Women
THANK YOU
to our resource partners, funders, supporters, employment, and community partners
SUPPORTERS
(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 Kroger Foundation
Ross Motors
Wright Patt Credit Union
EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
(Providing volunteers for guest lecturers and mock interviews, referral services, internships, and/or employment opportunities.)
AltaFiber
CareSource
City of Dayton
Crown Equipment
Central State University
East End Community Center
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
Jon Rike
CIO
City of Dayton
Greater Dayton Premier Management
Miami Valley Urban League
Premier Health
Reynolds & Reynolds
Sinclair Community College
University of Dayton
Wright Patt Credit Union
Wright State University
Kari Tucker S&E Student Programs WPAF/ Spouse
Kalunde Wambua Vice President
Caresource
