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Helping More Manhattan Residents Access Tech Careers

Event - February 2024

Helping More Manhattan Residents Access Tech Careers

On February 21st, the Center for an Urban Future held a policy symposium that explored how policymakers can help get more Manhattan residents on the path to technology-powered careers.

Tags: economic opportunity workforce development boroughs tech economic growth

"Helping More Manhattan 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 careers. To shine a light on this opportunity, CUF held 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.

The concluding event in the series, this forum focused on the opportunity to expand access to tech careers in Manhattan. It featured Manhattan-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 Manhattan residents get on the path to technology-powered careers.

Speakers included:

  • Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President
  • Gale A. Brewer, New York City Council Member
  • Carlina Rivera, New York City Council Member
  • Kristen Gonzalez, New York State Senator
  • Grace Lee, New York State Assembly Member
  • Marquis Best, Youth Apprenticeship Lead, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Amazon
  • Brandy McNeil, Deputy Director of Branch Programs & Services, The New York Public Library
  • Anthony E. Munroe, President, Borough of Manhattan Community College
  • Ron Summers, CEO, Code Nation
  • Sarah Wessel, Managing Director of Partnerships, COOP

A video of the full discussion is available here.

This symposium was 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.