Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

We have some exciting news for you all! ?? OBT is proud to introduce our new dynamic duo, Greg Rideout and Evelyn Ortiz, as our Co-Chief Executive Officers! ?? Check out the full press release at: https://lnkd.in/ehFs53Mi #obtjobs #ceo #announcement #opportunities #nyc

? 7 Weeks Until Let There Be Joy! ? The countdown is on! In just 7 weeks, we’ll be gathering for our second annual women’s empowerment event, #LetThereBeJoy —a night celebrating inspiration, connection, and opportunity for women. ? Your support is the key to unlocking futures—let’s make this an unforgettable evening! Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening! ?? Purchase your tickets or secure a sponsorship today: https://lnkd.in/ey5EGgc6 ?? Mark your calendars: April 30, 2025 ? Time: 5 PM - 8 PM ?? Location: Aura Cocina, 315 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206, USA ? ?#obtjobs #SupportOBT

The last five days have been action-packed for our External Affairs team and Co-CEO Evelyn Ortiz. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights: This weekend, we had the honor of celebrating culture and justice in action at #SOMOS2025! A huge shoutout to Lorena Kourousias, LMSW, MSPSY, Executive Director at Mixteca, for being recognized at the SOMOS Inc. Scholarship Gala for her extraordinary leadership. Thank you for being a champion for Sunset Park’s immigrant community. On Monday, #obtjobs stood strong alongside 300+ human service workers across New York State, demanding a 7.8% increase in human service contracts. Fair wages for essential work aren’t a luxury—they’re a necessity! #JustPay And to conclude our advocacy, we joined the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce delegation to tackle key issues impacting our borough’s businesses and workforce. And, of course, no #Brooklyn event is complete without incredible food that reflects the borough’s diverse and vibrant culture! Congratulations to all the vendors for making #BrooklynNight such a huge success!!

Othman’s journey into the tech industry is a story of determination, skill-building, and seizing the right opportunities. He joined #obtjobs Cloud Support Engineer Program in March 2024 with a clear goal: to earn the #CompTIA ITF+ and #AWS Cloud Practitioner #certifications and secure a meaningful role in tech. Without a college degree, Othman faced challenges breaking into the industry, but he was committed to making it happen. Throughout the program, Othman consistently stood out as a top performer, quickly mastering technical concepts and proving his strong aptitude for #IT. His dedication paid off—he successfully earned both the #ITF+ and AWS certifications, positioning himself as a competitive candidate in the field. Othman’s hard work led to an incredible opportunity: a paid position in Merck’s IT Emerging Talent Rotational (ETR) Program. This prestigious program is designed to develop early-career professionals by providing exposure to various IT roles over a two-year period. Participants complete three distinct rotations, gaining hands-on experience in different IT functions while receiving mentorship, training, and professional development. Upon completion, they are matched with a permanent role within Merck’s IT department. As Othman embarks on this new chapter of his life, his story is just beginning to unfold. With the support of #obtjobs, he has found not only the resources he needed but also a community that believes in him. His journey is one of resilience, hope, and the power of opportunity—and while the first pages are already inspiring, the best is yet to come. Because of #obtjobs, he’s not just dreaming of a brighter future—he’s writing it, one chapter at a time.

One of the standout #TransformationalTuesday moments from our adult programs is Mamadou. An asylum seeker from West Africa, Mamadou arrived at #obtjobs last year with little to no knowledge of English, testing at level 0 on the Best Plus assessment. Undeterred, he enrolled in our #ESOL class, maintaining near-perfect attendance throughout the year. He also joined our computer basics class to build work readiness skills while continuing to practice English. By the end of the cohort, Mamadou had made significant progress, testing as a high level 1. Over the summer, he obtained his Employment Authorization card and sought opportunities to further his skills. He expressed interest in a work readiness program, but our ESOL/OSHA class required a minimum level 3 on the Best Plus test. Remarkably, Mamadou skipped level 2 entirely and tested directly into level 3! While in the ESOL/OSHA class, he worked closely with a case manager and successfully applied for his learner's permit. In January, he proudly came to our office in full interview attire, sharing that he had passed his driver’s test and was actively applying for jobs. Using the stipend he received through #obtjobs, he invested in a suit and shoes to prepare for job interviews. Mamadou’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence, hard work, and the right support system. We can’t wait to keep you all posted on his future updates! ________________________________________________________________ To learn more about programs – email us at [email protected] To support our mission, visit www.obtjobs.org/donate or email us at [email protected]

We’re incredibly proud to congratulate Marjorie Parker for being recognized as one of #PoliticsNY & amNY Metro’s Black Power Players! ???? Marjorie’s leadership, vision, and dedication continue to pave the way for a stronger, more inclusive workforce. Her journey is an inspiration, and we are honored to have her on our #obtjobs Board of Directors! Congratulations, Marjorie! Your impact is undeniable, and we celebrate this well-deserved recognition!

Exciting News at #obtjobs! ?? Please join us in congratulating Amrika Francisco on her promotion to Chief Workforce & Innovation Officer and Ryan Sheppard on his promotion to Chief Impact Officer!? ? Amrika and Ryan have been instrumental in driving OBT’s mission forward, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to fuel opportunities and transform futures in their new roles. Join us in congratulating them both! ??

We’re Back!!! Let There Be Joy – A Celebration of Women returns on April 30, 2025, bringing together 200+ leaders across technology, finance, healthcare, and more—alongside OBT’s rising young professionals. ? ?? Aura Cocina, Brooklyn ? 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM ? Join us for an evening of networking, inspiration, and celebration as we honor women making a lasting impact in workforce development and beyond. Connect with trailblazers, engage in meaningful conversations, and showcase your commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders. ? Purchase tickets or explore sponsorships: https://lnkd.in/ey5EGgc6 For inquiries, contact Desiree Moore at [email protected]

Through a powerful partnership with Habitat for Humanity International New York City and Westchester County, OBT participants from our Renewable Energy & Sustainable Construction programs are helping to build affordable homes in Southeast Queens. Our young people are gaining hands-on experience while creating homeownership opportunities for low-income families—proving that workforce development and community impact go hand in hand. Last week, this commitment extended beyond New York City. OBT’s Co-CEO, Evelyn Ortiz, joined the Habitat team in the Dominican Republic, Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic, to work alongside talented professionals, experiencing Habitat’s impact on a global scale. Together, they laid the foundation—literally—for homes where families had been living on dirt floors for decades, often without running water or food security. While mixing and pouring cement may seem like a small act, the reality is so much more: these homes represent stability, dignity, and opportunity for families who have lived without for far too long. Thank you to Habitat for Humanity for this impactful partnership. We look forward to the year ahead as we continue deepening our ties and expanding our impact across New York City and beyond.

What a weekend! ?? The OBT team was on the ground at the New York State Association of Black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Legislators Inc. 54th Annual Legislative Conference! Our very own Co-CEO Evelyn Ortiz joined a powerful panel hosted by Assembly Member Stefani L. Zinerman, diving into 21st-century job creation & #economic empowerment. ??? Beyond the discussions, we had the opportunity to connect with elected officials, policymakers, and community leaders who are shaping the future of workforce development. Thank you to our elected official partners for your continued support—we couldn’t do this work without you! ????