Partnership with education nonprofit to build
pipeline of diverse tech talent kicks-off with special experience
for Philadelphia high school
students at Comcast Technology Center, including discussion with
Comcast engineers and surprise laptop donation
PHILADELPHIA, March 2,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Heights Philadelphia (Heights) and Comcast
celebrated Comcast's $1 million
commitment as Heights' Founding Inveniam Equity Technology Partner
to support the education nonprofit's bold vision that "all
Philadelphia students graduate
high school and achieve economic mobility through college and
workforce success." Comcast's generous commitment will help Heights
create a pipeline of diverse talent for technology-related
workforce opportunities for Black, Brown, and
first-generation-to-college students in Philadelphia. The launch of Heights and
Comcast's partnership was commemorated on February 28, 2023 with an in-depth educational
tour and career panel discussion for more than 35 Philadelphia high
school students visiting the Comcast Technology Center. The
students were also surprised with laptops to support their
studies.
"We know that the talent to make our city thrive exists right
here within our young people. And this gift from Comcast shows that
the tech industry believes our students are the future of this
city," said Sara L. Woods, Esq.,
co-president, Heights. "Our partnership will prepare students with
the skill sets, certifications, and degrees needed for internships
and careers in computer science and technology. We are thrilled to
have Comcast as a committed partner to help create important and
impactful career opportunities for our students."
"The City of Philadelphia has
been long challenged by the issue of generational poverty, which
cannot be tackled alone," said Sean E.
Vereen, Ed.D., co-president, Heights. "When partners
like Comcast join our network and invest in our young people, we
make a stronger and more equitable city. With this grant, our
students will not only be able to see themselves in computer and
tech related careers, but they will also be able to take advantage
of opportunities created by Heights to find them. We need other
companies to follow Comcast's lead and invest in pathways to
economic mobility for the city's young people."
"As a media and technology company that is committed to
diversity, equity and inclusion, we understand the inequities and
barriers students of color face when pursuing an education and
career in an increasingly digital workforce," said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity
Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal
Foundation. "Through this partnership with Heights, we will help to
equip Philadelphia students with
the digital skills and readiness needed to be successful and have a
future of unlimited possibilities."
As the Founding Inveniam Equity Technology Partner, Comcast's
$1 million commitment in funding over
three years to Heights supports the creation of a delivery system
to technology-related workforce opportunities for Black, Brown, and
first-generation-to-college students. Specifically, with Comcast's
support Heights will:
- Expand its workforce team to enhance individualized career
advising capacity related to technology and computer sciences
pathways.
- Strengthen its career advising program within each of Height's
current partner schools, including 19 high schools and four middle
schools in Philadelphia.
- Create stackable college credits and certifications for high
school students tied to computer science and technology career
tracks. These dual enrollment offerings (college courses and
certifications taken while in high school) will help lower college
degree and certification costs.
- Create tech-related internship and credentialing opportunities
for high school and college students.
The special tour for the over 35 students who joined Heights to
kick-off the Comcast partnership is just one example of the
opportunities created through Heights' workforce program. The
cohort of 9th grade students from George
Washington High School are a part of a pilot program that
Heights is supporting at their school to expand access to computer
science/tech career pathways among Black and Latinx Philadelphia
students. While visiting the Comcast Technology Center, the
students received a behind-the-scenes tour, heard presentations and
discussions from Comcast's BENgineers and TECHWomen, which are
employee resource groups supporting Black and women technologists
and engineers. Students were also gifted with laptops as a surprise
to further bolster their studies and interest in technology.
Comcast's commitment to Heights is part of $4.3 million in grants awarded in 2022 to 30
nonprofit organizations across Philadelphia to support digital adoption and
skills training for residents. These grants were distributed
through Project UP, Comcast's $1
billion commitment to advance digital equity through
programs and community partnerships that connect people to the
Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next
generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and
creators.
Comcast joins the growing network of corporations that supports
Heights' work to create pathways to college and workforce
opportunities in underrepresented industries. In 2022, Hirtle,
Callaghan & Co. (Hirtle Callaghan) committed $1 million as the Founding Inveniam Equity
Partner in Financial Services, sending an important message to the
financial services industry that change will not happen without
risk, innovation, and long-term dedication to creating pathways for
students being left out of professional opportunities. With Hirtle
Callaghan's commitment as a partner, Heights has been able to
strengthen offerings in the finance and investment management
sectors.
For more information about Heights Philadelphia and how to get
involved, please visit its new website: www.Heights.org
About Heights Philadelphia:
Led by respected and veteran educational leaders from
Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars, Heights is rooted
in the bold vision that "all Philadelphia students graduate high school and
achieve economic mobility through college and workforce
success." Heights' work reflects a deep and abiding commitment
to break the cycle of generational poverty, which has long
challenged the City of
Philadelphia, connecting students – especially Black,
Latino, and first-generation scholars – with a network of people
who believe, and invest in, their talents. Beginning in middle
school, students receive access to academic, workforce, and college
support to propel economic mobility. Serving more than 3,000
students in Philadelphia, Heights
works with students to provide not only programming including
one-on-one advising, academic enrichment, internship opportunities,
and financial support - but also pathways to success through every
step of their lives.
About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and
technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We
are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming
with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and
video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands;
create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and
news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio
Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks,
multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC
Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences
at Universal Parks and Resorts in the
United States and Asia.
Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
For more information, visit Heights.org. Follow Heights on
social media including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
@HeightsPhilly
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SOURCE Heights Philadelphia