Urban League Opens Digital Innovation Center

Urban League Opens Digital Innovation Center in Charlotte

By Nancy C. Sampson

The Urban League of Central Carolinas celebrated the opening of a new Digital Innovation Center in East Town Market at 3118 Suite A, Milton Road, Charlotte, in August. The nonprofit organization partnered with Mecklenburg County to expand beyond their original location at 740 W. 5th Street in Charlotte.

The new state-of-the-art satellite location expands the organization’s capacity for career development and skills training and will make their programs more convenient for those who live and work east of Uptown.

The mission of the ULCC is to help African Americans and all underserved citizens with the tools needed to achieve social and economic equality, the organization’s website states.

The ULCC is helping to close the digital divide and adapting to pandemic-era conditions by offering a combination of virtual and in-person training programs.

Classes and community events at the Digital Innovation Center in East Charlotte contribute to the ULCC’s mission of building employment and income equality for African Americans and underserved communities of any socio-economic status. The new facility offers educational programs like those offered at ULCC’s Uptown location as well as job placement.

ULCC’s CareerBridge workforce program webpage includes information on nine areas of coursework offered through ULCC at no charge, from banking and technology training to certifications in HVAC and other trades.

The ULCC and Mecklenburg County partnership also started the Working Women, Thriving Families and Better Communities Initiative (WTB) which trains and places women in livable wage careers. The program offers participants a full range of support and resources based on each client’s needs for continuing their career development. Mentoring, social support and financial assistance are some of the available options.

WTB career development tracks include national web service certifications from Microsoft or Amazon Web Services for IT roles and other certifications in universal banking and medical-related roles.

Mecklenburg County has been a consistent partner with the WTB program, which offers women in low-income jobs access to post-secondary learning and personalized support while they complete their certification. ULCC works with various companies to secure job placement for anyone who is certified through its programs.

In December, ULCC held a graduation ceremony for 60 CareerBridge graduates who received certifications in 6 disciplines. "Not only are graduates equipped in their field, but a holistic approach is tailored to the needs of every single person that walks through the door. By continuing to empower our communities, we are daily changing lives,” said Makeda Holley-Johnson, ULCC emerging programs and education director.

The ULCC job board includes job listings from the organization’s partners, including available positions at Harris Teeter, The Home Depot, Lowes, Metrolina Greenhouses and more.

The ULCC, an affiliate of the National Urban League, has studied the problems that minorities face related to careers and employment since its establishment in 1978. The organization’s mission is to build sustainable communities through innovation, advocacy and collaboration with corporations and local civic organizations.

Visit urbanleaguecc.org to learn more about their career education programs, volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved. P