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Elijah Evelyn, a Year Up participant from Oakland, shared his journey of realizing the necessity of a four-year degree but facing barriers due to family circumstances. He found hope through the Year Up program, which provides career opportunities for individuals without diplomas. Taylor Brown and Ronald Shackelford, also Year Up alumni, highlighted their transformation from struggling in low-paying jobs to being hired by JP Morgan Chase.

" Year Up founder Gerald Chertavian shares how “Young people need a hand up, not a handout,” and how Year Up is working towards tackling the racial wealth gap in the United States by providing vital skills and internships to help young adults climb the career ladder."

Amidst the pandemic, Year Up, a nonprofit job-training program, boldly transitioned entirely online, challenging the notion that effective training necessitates in-person interaction. Despite initial skepticism, virtual instruction has proven effective, prompting the envisioning of a hybrid model for the future, seamlessly integrating virtual learning with face-to-face interaction. Spearheaded by Year Up founder Gerald Chertavian, this adaptation not only addresses immediate challenges but also holds promise in reaching more students and combating persistent income inequality.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a persistent unemployment gap between Black, white, and Latino workers, reflecting disparities in education and workforce development opportunities.

CNBC

U.S. companies face challenges in promoting ethnic and racial diversity in boards and senior leadership roles, despite recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion. Some companies such as PayPal are partnering with programs like Year Up to actively seeking underrepresented voices and implementing diverse hiring policies. Nahtifa Wright gained a full-time position at PayPal through Year Up's training, highlighting the impact of such partnerships. Despite lingering educational disparities and biases, proactive steps like actively recruiting underrepresented voices are crucial.