Rico Bryant is the Recruitment Manager of i.c.stars, a technology-based workforce development program assisting low-income adults. One of the pillars that i.c.stars touts is its leadership training, how it helps people from underserved communities tap into their potential and grow into forward-thinking leaders. The 33-year-old Bryant knows this well. He was once an i.c.stars intern, finding out about the company through a Facebook post and going on to rise up the ranks there. Bryant describes stumbling upon this random social media post as “a blessing from God,” as he was searching for work and continually having doors slammed in his face, all because he had been incarcerated. Read Article

Brandies Meva’a recalls the experiences that led her to where she is today: co-owner of a digital marketing firm based in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.

One was helping found a nonprofit while she was in high school. Called BOLD Chicago (Building Opportunities for Leadership Development), it taught her a lot about community organizing. Read Article

eshots, Inc founder and CEO Craig Steensma hosted a 60-minute presentation and Q&A with members of Chicago-based i.c. stars. Offering a two-year program, i.c. stars provides opportunities for young adults to develop advanced technical and leadership skills. Since 1999, according to icstars.org, the organization “has been identifying, training, and jump-starting technology careers for Chicago-area low-income young adults who, although lacking access to education and employment, demonstrate the extraordinary potential for success in the business world and for impact in their communities.” i.c. stars engages with Chicago-area companies in two ways, either through the temporary or full-time hiring of i.c. stars alums or custom Fellowship programs.

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