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Helping Bronx Residents Access Tech Careers

Event - October 2023

Helping Bronx Residents Access Tech Careers

On October 11th, the Center for an Urban Future held a policy symposium to discuss what actions are needed to close the opportunity gap for tech careers in New York and bolster tech education and training infrastructure in the Bronx.

Tags: workforce development tech

"Helping Bronx Residents Access Tech Careers"
A Center for an Urban Future Policy Symposium

Replay of the event
Event materials


New York's fast-growing tech sector has become the city's most consistent source of new middle- and high-wage jobs, but much work remains to be done—both citywide and in communities across the five boroughs—to ensure that far more New Yorkers of color are able to access these well-paying jobs. To shine a light on this opportunity, CUF launched a five-borough forum series to discuss what actions are still needed to close the opportunity gap for tech careers in New York and bolster tech education and training infrastructure in communities across the city.

This forum, the first in this series, featured Bronx-based leaders discussing the borough's tech education and training ecosystem, and examined what more policymakers, employers, educators, and workforce practitioners should do to help more Bronx residents get on the path to technology-powered careers.

Speakers included:

  • Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson
  • Council Member Amanda Farías, New York City Council; Chair, Committee on Economic Development
  • Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, New York City Council; Member, Committee on Education
  • Abby Jo Sigal, Executive Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development
  • Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Hostos Community College 
  • James Kale, Chief Strategy Officer, Comp Sci High
  • Osarumwense Pat-Osagie, Digital Equity Program Director, The Bronx Community Foundation
  • Jerelyn Rodriguez, Co-Founder & CEO, The Knowledge House
  • Debbie Roman, Managing Director, Per Scholas

A video of the full discussion is available here.

This symposium is made possible through generous support from Amazon. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation, the Altman Foundation, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.