SITC April Program

Alpha Omega Foundation, Inc. and

Olivet Housing & Community Development Corporation present

IN THE CITY

GETTING THE JOB AND KEEPING IT! April 23, 2022 Sankofa in the City is a workshop series collaboration between the Alpha Omega Foundation, Inc. and the Olivet Housing & Community Development Corporation

PURPOSE: To provide women and girls in transition with a professional development starting point

IN THE CITY

ABOUT US

Alpha Omega Foundation, Incorporated was established in 1984 as a provider of scholarship opportunities, health education, educational empowerment and training, community care and concern for the Northeast Ohio Area.

Olivet Housing and Community Development Corporation (OHCDC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of disadvantaged individuals and groups by providing programming and investment into enhancing their social and economic condition. OHCDC, through its Health and Education Institute and NeCCESS (Neighborhood Collaboration for Competitive Employment Status) Initiative, focuses on addressing health and socioeconomic disparities through strong partnerships with community-based organizations. Our approach is wholistic in concentrating on improving health, economic self-sufficiency and family outcomes.

ITINERARY IN THE CITY

10:00 AM

Welcome

Mrs. Sandra Brinson - President, Alpha Omega Foundation, Inc. Dr. Daisy Alford-Smith - Executive Director, Olivet Housing & Community Development Corporation

10:05 AM

Icebreaker 10:15 AM

Session 1: Getting the Job

Renee Bacchus, Asst. United States Attorney U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio

11:00 AM

Break Raffle

11:10 AM

Session 2: Keeping the Job

Tamra Billinghurst-Black, Corporate Vice President New York Life Insurance

11:55 AM

Closing

Presenter Bios IN THE CITY Tamra Billinghurst-Black is a highly engaged and collaborative executive with a passion for service. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, she continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence.

Tamra Billinghurst-Black Corporate Vice President – HR, Talent Management Diversity Strategist New York Life Insurance

Tamra uses her skills as a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, learning and organization development (L&OD) leader, and professional coach to help others reach their highest potential. She has successfully coached and developed professionals moving into expanded roles, new opportunities, and general transition.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an MBA in Quantitative Analysis from St. John’s University. She is a Gestalt Professional Certified Coach and a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional (NDCCDP). She serves as Vice-Chairman of the Northeast Ohio National Diversity Council Advisory Board and serves as Chairman of the Regional Board of Advisors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. Tamra is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Omega Chapter.

Tamra has two daughters who are also members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Amber Renee, an attorney in New York City, and Savanajh Maichele, an underwriter for a Fortune 100 insurer in Cleveland. Tamra currently resides in Olmsted Township, Ohio.

Renee Bacchus attended public school in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Oakland, California. She was the only African American to graduate in the top ten percent of her high school class. Subsequently, she attended Howard University where she majored in Marketing, graduating cum laude in 1988 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After working for a couple of years, Renee moved to Cleveland and enrolled in Cleveland Marshall College of Law. She earned a Juris Doctorate in May, 1994, and passed the Ohio Bar in November, 1994.

Renee began her legal career as a Legal Intern in the City of East

Renee Bacchus Cleveland while attending law school. After passing the Bar, she Asst. United States Attorney obtained a position as an Assistant Director of Law for the City of U.S. Attorney's Office Cleveland representing the City of Cleveland and its employees in all Northern District of Ohio

areas of civil litigation. After five years with the city, Renee became an Assistant County Prosecutor in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office Civil Division representing the County and its employees. In 2009, she obtained her dream job, Assistant United States Attorney with the Department of Justice United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. She now represents the United States of America and its employees in all areas of civil litigation, including medical malpractice, employment discrimination, immigration, bankruptcy, student loan collection, and police misconduct. She serves on several committees and performs auxiliary duties, including interviewing perspective candidates for employment. She also volunteer to conduct mock interviews with student interns and law students in a professional environment.

Outside of work, Renee enjoys crocheting, making quilts from scratch, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Resources IN THE CITY Education Educational Resources

https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.us/programs/detail/educational-resources-for-youth-aging- out-of-fostercare

PRE4CLE

A plan to expand access to high-quality pre-K to children in the City of Cleveland. PRE4CLE will work with the community to connect parents and families to available high-quality pre-K opportunities.

4600 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 575-0061 http://www.starting-point.org/ Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30a-5p

Seeds of Literacy

Non-profit organization that provides FREE basic education and GED®, TASC®, and HiSET® preparation to adults in the Cleveland area.

3104 West 25th Street, 3rd Floor Cleveland, OH 44109 (216) 661-7950 https://www.seedsofliteracy.org/ Hours: Mon-Thu 8:30a-8p, Fri 8:30a-5p

Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) 1111 Superior Avenue East, Suite 1800 Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 838-1000 https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/ Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-5p

College Now Greater Cleveland

Guide students of all ages across NE Ohio, helping them achieve their dreams of higher education and career success.

1500 West 3rd Street, Suite 125 Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 241-5587 www.collegenowgc.org

Case Western Reserve University

Interested in attending Case Western Reserve University? With hundreds of programs, top- notch research opportunities and the chance to learn from—and get to know—distinguished faculty, you'll find just what you're looking for on our urban campus in Cleveland, Ohio. Want to take a look around?

10900 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44106 (216) 368-2000

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University is a public research university in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

2121 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 687-2000 https://www.csuohio.edu

Resources IN THE CITY Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)

Eastern Campus 4250 Richmond Road, Student Services Room 1023 Highland Hills, OH 44122 (216) 987-2272 Metro Campus 2900 Community College, Student Services Room 212 Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 987-4974 Western Campus 11000 West Pleasant Valley Road, Student Services Liberal Arts Building B102 Parma, OH 44130 (216) 987-5091 Women in Transition at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) A free six-week curriculum based on Personal Development, Career Exploration, Computer Class, and workshops to help women develop self-confidence, build self-esteem, identify marketable skills, explore interests, research options for career and job training and examine Tri-C educational and workforce options.

Social Services Cleveland NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

NAACP mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

12200 Fairhill Road, Suite #401 Cleveland, OH 44120 (216) 231-6260 http://clevelandnaacp.org Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-3p

Urban League of Greater Cleveland

The mission of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland is dedicated to providing equal opportunities for African Americans and other minority members to develop and exercise their potential on par with all other Americans through education, research, advocacy, and provision of services.

2930 Prospect Avenue, East Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 622-0999 https://ulcleveland.org/ Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30a-4:30p

FALyc – Future Advocates and Leaders Youth Council https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.us/programs/detail/falyc

Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, our mission is to inspire and enable young people who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

6114 Broadway Avenue Cleveland, OH 44127 (216) 883-2106 http://www.clevekids.org/ Hours: Mon Closed, Tue 12a-7:30p, Wed-Fri 2:30p-7:30p, Sat & Sun 12p-4p

Resources IN THE CITY A Place 4 Me

Centers on the idea that all youth will have a place, especially those with high risk of homelessness. This includes young people who are transitioning from the foster care system. A Place 4 Me is an initiative that coordinates the planning and implementation of local efforts, including help with housing, employment, education, permanency, physical and mental health, financial capability, social capital.

(216) 881-6878 https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.us/programs/detail/a-place-4-me Contact: Kate Lodge klodge@ywcaofcleveland.org

The Centers (The Centers for Families and Children)

To improve lives of those we serve through integrated behavioral health, primary care, early learning, and workforce services.

Nancy Lyon Porter Building 4500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44103

Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services

To assure that children at risk of abuse or neglect are protected and nurtured within a family and with the support of the community.

Jane Edna Hunter Building 3955 Euclid Avenue #1 Cleveland, Ohio 44115 (216) 431-4500

Additional Resources Youth, Teens, and Young Adults

We provide support, guidance, and resources to teenagers in custody to help them transition into adulthood. We start preparing young people for independent living when they are 14 years old. We also provide referrals to other community resources as needed. https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.us/programs/detail/youth-teens-and-young-adults

Purple Umbrella Task Force

The Purple Umbrella Task Force is a collaborative effort among the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services, adult-serving agencies, faith-based community groups, and the business community to better meet the needs of youth who have aged out of foster care. The task force provides stability and resources for young people during this difficult transition, addressing the specific disparities faced by young adults exiting the child welfare system. When aged out youth shift to independent living, Purple Umbrella ensures they are “living on their own, but not alone.” https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.us/programs/detail/purple-umbrella-task-force

Murtis Taylor

Partnering with you to achieve a better quality of life and healthier community through engagement, teamwork, and commitment.

13422 Kinsman Road Cleveland, OH 44120 (216) 283-4400 http://www.murtistaylor.info/

Resources IN THE CITY Bessie’s Angels

Bessie's Angels is a non-profit organization dedicated to NURTURING, educating, empowering, and providing low-income housing young women who have aged out of foster care.

BessiesAngels.org (440) 256-6663 BessiesChat@gmail.com

Transportation GCRTA (Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority)

Mission Statement: To provide safe, reliable, clean, and courteous public transportation.

1240 West 6th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 (216) 566-5100 http://www.riderta.com/

Job Readiness & Training Vocational Guidance Services (VGS)

To prepare people with barriers to employment for a brighter future. Every year, we provide a comprehensive range of vocational rehabilitation services and paid work opportunities to nearly 4,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, a history of incarceration, injured veterans, and other barriers to employment. All VGS services are provided at no cost to the individual.

2239 East 55th Street Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 431-7800 https://vgsjob.org/ Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-5p

Esperanza, Inc.

To improve the academic achievement of Hispanics in Greater Cleveland by supporting students to graduate high school and promoting post-secondary educational attainment.

3104 West 25th Street, 4th floor Cleveland, OH 44109 (216) 651-7178 https://esperanzainc.org/ Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-5:30p

Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry

Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) is a 50-year-old non-profit providing innovative social enterprise job-training, civic engagement strategies and safety net services for the city of Cleveland and across northeastern Ohio. Our mission leads us to operate programs that change lives, transform communities, and enliven community engagement.

4515 Superior Avenue Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 696-2715 https://www.lutheranmetro.org/ Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-5p

Resources IN THE CITY Olivet Housing & Community Development Corporation

Working to improve the quality of life for under-served individuals and families through health education, workforce training, and wholistic support services.

Olivet Housing & Community Development Corporation UH – Otis Moss Jr. Community & Health Center 8819 Quincy Avenue Cleveland, OH 44106 (216) 862-7350 www.olivetcdc.org Hours: Mon-Fri 9a– 4p

Youth Internships and Job Readiness

https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.us/programs/detail/youth-internships-and-job-readiness

Clothing Dress for Success

To empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

2239 East 55th Street Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 391-2301 https://cleveland.dressforsuccess.org Hours: Mon-Fri 8a - 4p

Acknowledg ements IN THE CITY

Thank you to the following for helping make today's event a success:

Alpha Omega Foundation Sankofa Committee Lisa Mack, Chairperson Tonya Abrams Tristan Fritz Deborah Frost Loretta Gray Valissa Howard Semeca Prather-Solomon LaToya Smith Rhonda Williams

Olivet Housing & Community Development Corporation Dr. Daisy Alford-Smith, PhD Rev. Edmund Wilson, III Adrianne McDaniel

Dress for Success