Assembling Success Fall 2019

Bidwell Training Center (BTC) students in the chemical laboratory. As reported in BTC’s 2019 annual report to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, BTC’s

chemical laboratory technician students had a 93 percent job placement rate. Photograph by Jonathan Zito.

ASSEMBLING SUCCESS Biannual Newsletter of Manchester Bidwell Corporation Fall 2019

Welcome New Board Members

Internal Promotions

First Book From MCG Jazz

Learn more about our new board members from the University of Pittsburgh and Covestro

Three new internal promotions demonstrate BTC’s commitment to professional development

MCG Jazz enters the publishing industry with a book about Pittsburgh jazz

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New Executive Director at MCG Youth & Arts The new executive director is a familiar face

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4

7

DMC and Chatham Partner Up

BAYCAT Celebrates 15 Years

Read about this collaboration into Controlled Environment Agriculture

The San Francisco center has been fighting racism and sexism through media for 15 years

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Being a Part of the Friendliest Neighborhood Bill Strickland, Founder and Executive Chairman of Manchester Bidwell Corporation My first appearance on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was in 1973. In the episode, Fred visits Elsie Neal’s craft shop where he finds a thinner version of me with a large Afro using the potter’s wheel, and we talked about the process of turning clay into a pot.

From that moment on I had two more appearances on the show and one of my most cherished friendships was born.

When we first met I was already five years into my work teaching children art at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. I believe he recognized that we were both trying to do the same thing: letting children know how special they are and that they deserve respect and dignity.

I’ve been thinking about Fred a lot recently. With the new feature film coming out, it makes my heart smile to know that his legacy of hope lives on. I dearly miss the conversations we had throughout the years about the hard work that goes into uplifting children when there can be so much darkness around them. We received a special gift that I can now look at to remember my friend. I’ll let Kevin Jenkins, our President and CEO, tell you more about that below.

In the last episode I filmed with Fred, he came to Manchester Bidwell Corporation and I got him to get his hands dirty in some clay. At the end of the show he said something I still keep with me.

Too Much News Fit to Print

While you’ll read about our concerts, new albums, and book from MCG Jazz, what you might not know is that WQED and Fred Rogers Productions donated the piano Johnny Costa used on every episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” from 1987 to 2000 to the program.

As always MCG Youth & Arts is bringing in world-class artists to exhibit, teach, and

“My friend Bill is a good teacher,” said Fred. “You can see that.”

Everyday I strive to still be a good teacher, so I never let Fred down.

back to become an instructor or that we started offering part-time tracks for our medical programs?

The Drew Mathieson Center’s partnership with Chatham University is a great step into controlled environment agriculture that you’ll read about, but seeing the face of one of our recent horticulture technology graduates at the greenhouse as a full-time employee is going to reinvigorate my daily walks.

Kevin Jenkins, President and CEO As President and CEO, a lot of my time is spent in meetings with stakeholders, potential collaborators, and with the executive directors of our successful affiliates.

However, I always take time in my day to walk the halls, catch up with students, and pop in classrooms. At the end of my day, it would be difficult to fit all the inspirational things I witnessed in one conversation, so imagine the difficulty in fitting it all in one newsletter.

Bill Strickland teaching Fred Rogers pottery in 1991 on episode 1644 of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Image courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions.

inspire our students, but you might not know that the program has collaborated with Westminster College to offer college courses to our high school students in our Apprenticeship Training Program. This gives our students a taste for post-secondary education and sets them up for success.

You’ll learn all about our placement rates and internal promotions at Bidwell Training Center, but did you know that we had a horticulture technology graduate come

Page 2 | Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org

Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology’s 15-year anniversary is an important milestone for our National Center for Arts and Technology. One item that didn’t fit on that page is that our newer center, Erie Center for Arts and Technology, launched their pilot program and found their new home with the purchase of an old middle school building.

Learning about all these accomplishments makes my daily walks a task I always look forward to. If you never want miss any of our news, make sure to follow our affiliates on their respective social media channels for up-to-date news.

MBC Welcomes New Board Members responsible for the university’s academic mission.

When Cudd joined the university in 2018, MBC Founder and Executive Chairman Bill Strickland immediately invited her to tour MBC, and her desire to support the organization grew from there.

Ann E. Cudd, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh.

Photograph by Dan Aguirre for BU Photography.

Manchester Bidwell Corporation (MBC) is always looking for bright minds from Pittsburgh’s important institutions to join its Board of Directors. Ann E. Cudd and David Rzepecki are perfect for helping MBC advance its mission.

As provost and senior vice chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh, Cudd is

Having Cudd’s input is imperative for MBC as she can provide insights on how the organization can help prepare our youth students at MCG Youth & Arts for success after high school. For Bidwell Training Center, Cudd provides a wealth of knowledge about education and how to help our adult students who are using Bidwell Training Center as a stepping stone into additional post-secondary education.

Covestro has been an important partner for MBC stretching back to the founding of Bidwell Training Center’s chemical laboratory technician program. If you remember from our last issue of Assembling Success, Covestro alone has hired 70 Bidwell Training Center students in the 27 years that the chemical laboratory technician program has existed. This partnership has grown even stronger with the addition of Rzepecki to MBC’s Board of Directors.

David Rzepecki, Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Compliance Officer, Covestro LLC.

As vice president, general counsel, secretary, and compliance officer at Covestro, Rzepecki is an advisor to all Covestro business and service units. His experience in procurement, government affairs, finance, accounting, controlling, and tax functions at Covestro allows him to provide immeasurable guidance to MBC’s staff.

101 New Donors Give to MBC Support from individual donors truly makes a difference in MBC’s ability to provide empowering learning environments and innovative programming to members of our community who are often overlooked. This year, we welcomed 101 new individual donors to our MBC family.

Thank you!

So often, caring people who are looking to make a difference are introduced to our programming through those who

already share a passion for our mission.

Our supporters bring them in for a tour, an MCG Jazz concert, an MCG Youth & Arts exhibition, a reception catered by our Bidwell Training Center culinary staff and students, or the Drew Mathieson Center greenhouse open house.

workplace United Way giving or matching programs.

If you would like to introduce someone to MBC through a visit, or honor or remember them with a gift, please contact Kerry May at 412-+323-4000 ext. 261.

Others express their respect, love, and gratitude by making a thoughtful gift in honor or memory of someone. New donors are also introduced through their To support Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its affiliates visit

manchesterbidwell.org/donate

Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org I Page 3

Internal Promotions Prove the Quality of BTC’s Staff

Tiaona Cade, career ser vices c o o rd i n a t o r. P h o t og r a p h by Germaine Watkins.

Regina Hergenroeder, student advisor. Photograph by Germaine Watkins.

Professional development is something every person should work on throughout their entire professional career. Bidwell Training Center (BTC) emphasizes this with students and sets the example with the development they do with their own employees.

the student life cycle for all programs and makes career readiness a priority.

BTC has had three internal promotions this year that demonstrate the excellent quality of its staff.

Tiaona Cade started her time at BTC in 2018 as a placement officer. In her new role, Cade ensures career preparation throughout

Regina Hergenroeder started as the administrative assistant for the culinary arts program six years ago and was recently promoted to student advisor. Hergenroeder now provides supportive services to an assigned number of student cohorts with the goal of enhancing student engagement, facilitating academic success, overcoming personal barriers, and helping students achieve their educational and career aspirations.

Audra Pavloski, student services coordinator. Photograph by Germaine Watkins.

A student advisor when she started at BTC in 2017, Audra Pavloski now serves as student services coordinator. Pavloski is now a liaison between BTC and outside agencies, which include the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Affairs, Pennsylvania Women Work, and others.

“Tiaona, Regina, and Audra are committed to our mission and showed interest in taking on a more prominent role in the scope of operations,” said Ken Huselton, senior director of operations.

In Memoriam: Gary Caldwell, Director of Student Services Bidwell Training Center (BTC) lost a family member this fall—Gary Caldwell, 43, director of student services.

Caldwell started changing lives at BTC in 2003 when he started as a student advisor and eventually rose to associate director of student services and then to director of student services.

Gary Caldwell, director of student services. 1976–2019. Photograph by Germaine Watkins.

It is often noted that one of the things that sets BTC apart from other institutions is the quality of support services we offer to our students who all come from different backgrounds and require assistance in different areas. Caldwell set the tone and standard for those important services.

Page 4 | Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org

Known to be the one all could go to when they needed someone to talk to during difficult times, Caldwell’s loss hit significantly hard on BTC and the community.

Caldwell spent time helping others outside of his time at BTC as he was also associate producer of the documentary “From Liberty to Captivity,” which shines a light on the issue of sex trafficking.

His heart and his legacy will live on at BTC and in the region.

Record Number Enroll at BTC For the entire 2018–2019 fiscal year Bidwell Training Center (BTC) enrolled 120 students, and BTC is projecting a significant increase in enrollment as this fall alone 89 students have enrolled in classes.

This fall BTC enrolled its largest horticulture technology class in the history of the program. Its medical programs this fall exceeded total medical enrollment from last fiscal year and new cohorts are starting this upcoming spring.

When executive director Kimberly Rassau Ed.D. started at BTC this year, her priority was increasing the number of students served.

Significant changes were made to the admissions strategy causing these excellent results. BTC has done a complete re-brand of their marketing materials and focused more on digital marketing in order to meet potential students where they are spending a lot of their time.

While the admissions process is the same, BTC has been more flexible to try and

BTC Placement Rates

accommodate future students. For instance, while informational sessions are still held Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m., potential students can now make an appointment to do an informational session if they aren’t able to make it to the one of those two days. Furthermore, a new addition to the admissions team has increased recruitment efforts.

While the numbers prove the efforts are effective, BTC still has more changes planned.

You’ll soon catch a new BTC commercial on television featuring BTC’s best ambassadors: alums. In addition, expect to see a complete redesign of the BTC website soon that will be clearer, modern, and easier to navigate.

Offering no-cost career training to Pennsylvania residents with a high school diploma or equivalent is not a secret that should be kept from anyone who can take advantage of this innovative educational model. If you or someone you know wants to learn more about enrolling at BTC call 1-800516-1800.

Bidwell Training Center Student Enrollment 180 135

As reported in Bidwell Training Center’s (BTC) 2019 annual report to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, BTC’s overall job placement rate is 82%. BTC placement officers keep in touch with graduates to check on their employment and provide career advisement. Below are the individual programs’ placement rates.

93%

73%

Laboratory Technician

Culinary Arts

77%

100%

Horticulture Technology

Medical Assistant

73%

71%

175*

137

144

146

141 120

90

*projection for the entire fiscal year

89

Medical Claims Processor

Medical Coder

89%

Fall

45 0

2014–15

2015–16

2016–17

2017–18

2018–19

2019–20

Pharmacy Technician

For program start dates and more information on Bidwell Training Center visit

bidwelltraining.edu

Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org I Page 5

WORLD MUSIC

GUITAR

GUITAR/VOCAL

Friday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. & Saturday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 16, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 22, 9:30 p.m.

World Music & Food Festival HOLIDAY Saturday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

A Peter White Christmas

GUITAR Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m.

LATIN/HOLIDAY

VOCAL/PIANO

PIANO

Friday, February 21, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 14, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Jane Bunnett & Cécile McLorin Maqueque + Salvant & Tuck & Patti Sullivan Fortner

Kenny Werner Trio & Patricia Barber Trio

Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

VOCAL

MAINSTREAM

ECLECTIC JAZZ

Friday, March 27, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 4, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.

Pierre Bensusan & Frank Vignola

Ann Hampton Callaway & Tierney Sutton: In Technicolor

FUSION

BIG BAND

Friday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. & Saturday May 2, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.

Yellowjackets

Jonathan Butler

John Pizzarelli Trio & Catherine Russell

SFJAZZ Collective

Nicole Mitchell: Radical Transformation: for Angela Davis

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Buy Tickets at MCGJazz.org

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Page 6 | Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org

Celebrate.

Collaborate.

MCG Jazz Publishes First Book “Spirit to Spirit” Always looking to preserve, present, and promote jazz, MCG Jazz has published its first book, “Spirit to Spirit: A Portrait of Pittsburgh Jazz in the New Century.”

In 2018, MCG Jazz focused on Pittsburgh’s important jazz history with the release of the documentary “We Knew What We Had: The Greatest Jazz Story Never Told,” and now it is focused on the city’s current jazz community.

Award-winning Pittsburgh chroniclers Abby Mendelson and David Aschkenas set out on a two- year-long quest listening, interviewing, and photographing the city’s current, rich jazz life. Designer David Wachter crafted the material into this visionary book.

Readers will enjoy profiles from prodigies barely out of high school to legendary icons like Roger Humphries.

Front cover of “Spirit to Spirit: A Portrait of Pittsburgh Jazz in the New Century.”

“Spirit to Spirit” is available for purchase at mcgjazz.org and on Amazon.

MCG Jazz Releases Two New Albums inception. In 2017, the orchestra wanted to try a project working with male soloists and performed on the MCG Jazz stage with Ken Peplowski, Jay Ashby, Claudio Roditi, and MCG Jazz Executive Producer Marty Ashby. From that live performance came the album “Diva + The Boys.” The collaborations led to exciting arrangements filled with fire, finesse, and swing.

The Diva Jazz Orchestra’s “Diva + The Boys” album cover.

Jazz fans can enjoy two new albums from MCG Jazz this year that travel the spectrum between fierce and full of swing to quiet and introspective.

MCG Jazz has been involved with The Diva Jazz Orchestra—an ensemble of 15 talented female musicians— since its

“For All We Know” is an album that was also built off a growing collaboration.

Gloria Reuben’s last album “Perchance to Dream”—released on the MCG Jazz record label—ends with a duet between Reuben and Ashby. The chemistry behind creating that track led to this new collection of tunes that speaks to the deeply personal, often heart-breaking, and eternally hopeful nature of love and relationships. Recorded in New Orleans, LA, all of the songs evoke

Gloria Reuben and Marty Ashby’s “For All We Know” album cover.

in the listener the question: how do you face the denial, sorrow, and anger that arises from a break-up and pick yourself up to start over?

Both albums are available for purchase at mcgjazz.org

To see a full schedule, show times, and to buy tickets to support our mission to preserve, present, and promote jazz visit

mcgjazz.org

Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org I Page 7

Renowned Illustrator Exhibits and Works with Students offering them inspiration to follow creative avenues they may already have access to.

“I found Carson through Instagram, but also kept noticing her books in the homes of friends, even those without children,” said Cecilia Ebitz, MCG Youth & Arts visiting artist and exhibitions coordinator. “I hope that the students will see themselves as a part of a creative community at MCG and figure out what collaborations can be made here.”

Ellis worked directly with students in the design studio as part of a threeday workshop. They went through the process of creating a picture book and talked about them as an art form and the process of storyboarding and character design.

Aside from her work as a professional artist, Ellis is fond of giving back and sharing her knowledge.

“An Artist” by Carson Ellis.

Best-selling illustrator and children’s book author Carson Ellis shared her work and knowledge with MCG Youth & Arts students and her art is on display in the gallery. “Carson Ellis: Selected Works” presents a collection of original drawings, prints, and illustrations from the artist.

The featured works—selected by Ellis—showcase the artist’s signature style through a range of traditional

mediums. Concert posters, album covers, book illustrations, and process sketches are on display.

Ellis’ work fits with MCG Youth & Arts’ 2019-20 theme “Celebrate. Collaborate.” Ellis works with her husband, The Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy, as well as with other authors and musicians. Her experience teaches students about the realities of being a professional illustrator while

“I taught a 12-week drawing workshop for teen artists at the Portland Art Museum for years,” said Ellis.

“These days I volunteer at a women’s prison teaching art to incarcerated moms and their kids, but I have a special place in my heart for working with teenagers because my own teen years were difficult and art was the thing that got me through them.”

“Carson Ellis: Selected Works” is on view until Dec. 23 at the Connie Kerr Gallery at 1815 Metropolitan St. Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

For a list of our youth courses as well as art classes for adults visit

mcgyouthandarts.org

MCG Youth & Arts’ New Executive Director is a Familiar Face Between his time as program director and his new role as executive director, Mazzei stepped away from MCG Youth & Arts and worked at Andrew Street High School a part of Propel Schools here in the region.

Although he might have been away, his heart was still at MCG Youth & Arts. It was common to still see Mazzei at exhibit receptions and program events supporting students. He even took some of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild story with him to the high school hoping to be the Frank Ross to a future Bill Strickland.

Justin Mazzei, MCG Youth & Arts executive director. Photograph by Jonathan Zito.

In October, MCG Youth & Arts welcomed Justin Mazzei as the new executive director.

While new to the position, Mazzei’s history with the organization started 15 years ago as a volunteer after graduating from Carlow University where he was studying arts education.

“Upon graduating Carlow University, MCG Youth & Arts was at the tip top of the list of places I wanted to be a part of,” said Mazzei. “I started as a ceramic technician and in the next eleven years I grew through the organization in various roles, from teaching artist, arts integrated specialist, and studio coordinator to program director.”

During his time here, Mazzei found magic in the building and in the students.

“The amount of high quality opportunities we provide is astounding,” said Mazzei. “It is a place where your dreams can become realities. It is a place where you can see real tangible growth with the kids in our programs and its real.”

Mazzei noted that the value of the program always revealed itself when he would see a student start their time in the program shy, nervous, and weary and leave the program a strong, confident, and empowered young adult with a matured sense of who they are and what their assets are.

“I smile thinking of it,” noted Mazzei. “I implemented even the smallest details like playing jazz music on my record player during classes and saw the wonder and excitement and frankly confusion on the kids’ faces. Needless to say everything I did to positively impact the youth in my reach was directly pulled from the story of Frank and Bill and the experiences I had at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild.”

However, Mazzei couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to fill the executive director position at MCG Youth & Arts when it was available.

In his new role as executive director, Mazzei wants to ensure that MCG Youth & Arts continues to provide world-class opportunities for youth in the region. One of his priorities is to collect and utilize meaningful data on new initiatives to expand the program’s family of partners, participants, and alumni.

When asked about potential changes, Mazzei looks to the past for inspiration.

“When I think of changes I think of the process of wheel throwing that inspired a young Bill Strickland,” said Mazzei. “I think of how as a potter you are transforming the clay into something with value, something with purpose, something beautiful. I envision the same process for the program.

Change is constant, but making well informed and purposeful change to ensure all students have access to programming that offers them a bright and promising future is important.”

MCG Youth & Arts Adopts Theme for 2019-20

Brand image for MCG Yo u t h & A r t s ’ “ C e l e b r a t e.

Collaborate.” theme.

Image by Jonathan Zito.

MCG Youth & Arts has adopted the “Celebrate. Collaborate.” theme for the 2019-2020 Apprenticeship Training Program (ATP). ATP studios are partnering with area businesses, organizations, and stakeholders to demonstrate how creativity flourishes when we share our talents with one another.

For the Fall trimester collaborations varied between the Japan America Society of Pennsylvania with the anime class, Frick Car and Carriage Museum and auto dealerships with the photo class, Bidwell Training Center’s chemistry department with our ceramics class among other collaborations. More collaborations are planned for the winter and spring trimesters.

The idea of implementing themes for programming comes from MCG Youth & Arts’ participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts Innovation and Management program. Stay tuned for themes for upcoming years.

Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org I Page 9

DMC and Chatham University Explore Controlled Environment Agriculture at DMC Greenhouse identifying strategic partners, challenges, considerations, and opportunities.

This initiative represents a strategic investment in the CEA industry. The initiative will work to be a catalyst for market and industry growth that will be driven by consumer success and unique educational opportunities. The DMC and Chatham University collaboration is an example of partnerships that work through expanding our organizational impact by the combining of an established urban horticultural and agricultural The Drew Mathieson Center for Horticultural and Agricultural Technology greenhouse. facility with the research and academic influence of an exPhotograph by Scott Goldsmith. panding, cutting-edge university The Drew Mathieson Center for Horticul- operating model, its history, and an outline program. Unique and creative partnerships tural and Agricultural Technology (DMC) of DMC’s CEA initiative. will continue to pave the way for new opremains dedicated to the preparation for portunities focused on research, education, the next stage in the DMC greenhouse Students in the Applied Green and Social and our ability to cultivate new sales and operational evolution: the transition of ap- Innovation course developed and provided the expansion of our partner base. proximately one-half of the existing com- the “Hydroponics and Controlled Environmercial production space from floriculture ment Agriculture in Western Pennsylvania to Controlled Environment Agriculture Product Market Report.” The report reinvent pen ouse (CEA). DMC is collaborating with strategic forced the need to establish a market and partners to break down the entire system sales outlets before produce is grown or harNovember 23, 2019 into individual segments and identify associ- vested. Niche opportunities are available in 8 a.m.–1 p.m. the hydroponics and CEA markets through ated best practices.

1600 Metropolitan St., Pittsburgh, PA smaller regional distributors of produce and Early in the research process Chatham Uni- local restaurants. Hydroponic crop recomBrowse our Poinsettias, Poinsettia versity’s Falk School of Sustainability and mendations were included with projected topiaries, signature Phalaenopsis Environment was identified as a valuable volumes and crop price comparisons. The orchids, and other winter offercollaborative partner organization. DMC market research concludes organizations ings. Get an exclusive look at our partnered with Chatham University as a are seeking out local vendors with an emstate-of-the-art classroom space case study for two graduate-level courses, phasis on crop quality, selection, and price. and nearly one-acre commercial Fall 2018’s Applied Green and Social Inproduction area. Enjoy a live novation and Spring 2019’s Urban Agri- The Urban Agriculture students reinforced performance courtesy of MCG the need to develop a systems approach surculture.

Jazz and meet special guest Doug rounding the transition to CEA and the poOster.

The Chatham University students received tential impacts. They provided guidance to an in-depth orientation to DMC’s unique determine initial business planning metrics,

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DMC has the perfect plant for you, and by incorporating our plants into your life you are helping to support Manchester Bidwell Corporation. Partnership opportunities include: fundraising; special event, office, and facility decor; corporate gifts; and contract or project specific growing. For more information visit

drewmathiesoncenter.org Page 10 | Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org

BAYCAT Celebrates 15 Years of Advocating For Increased Minority Representation in Media 19, Rodney was hired part-time to work on a documentary for BAYCAT’s studio and eventually joined BAYCAT’s paid internship program. At 21, Rodney was hired

by MLB’s San Francisco Giants’ broadcast team as an intern later working up to videographer and finally being promoted to his dream job of cinematographer. At 25, Rodney won his first Emmy award for “We Are Giants” and won two more Emmys the following year.

Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT) students at YouTube headquarters in 2016. Photograph by Nadia Andreini.

One of the early adopters of the Manchester Bidwell educational model celebrated 15 years of forging the future. The Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT) has been helping end racism and sexism through storytelling.

When the educational model is replicated in cities around the world, the National Center for Arts and Technology makes it a point to not bring Pittsburgh to another city but for each city to provide the services their community needs as long as the same foundational principles are installed. That is why no replication sites are the same but all work towards the same goal.

BAYCAT is no different as its offerings are different than any other replication site.

Their academy provides free, after school digital media education to low-income minority students ages 11–17. Their studio is the professional arm that provides socially driven storytelling work for large clients like the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the National Parks Service, Salesforce, Pixar, and more. The BAYCAT studio trains and hires young, diverse interns ages 18–25 and then

helps them find jobs at large companies and institutions.

In the past 15 years, BAYCAT has had 4,250 students go through their academy and has helped launch more than 225 careers in filmmaking and storytelling.

In the span of 12 years, Rodney went from being a teenager with asthma due to living in a home in a toxic waste dump in one of San Francisco’s poorest neighborhoods and not having access to computers, tablets, or smart phones to an Emmy-winning cinematographer due to his time at BAYCAT. Over the next 15 years, BAYCAT wants to prove that when everyone sees themselves represented the world can be more beautiful.

BAYCAT is focused on proving that representation in media matters. Only 12.6 percent of film directors are people of color while being 40 percent of the population.

One reason for this gap is that most minority creatives can’t afford the expensive technology and schools to learn the skills needed in the industry. BAYCAT offers professional-standard tools and resources for filmmaking and graphic arts to its students for free. Seventy-eight percent of BAYCAT graduates are people of color and 58 percent are women.

Eighty-two percent of BAYCAT graduates have been hired by major companies.

Iman Rodney started at BAYCAT at 13 years old as part of their free youth program and would continue there for four years. At

BAYCAT graduate Iman Rodney who is an Emmy-winning cinematographer for the San Francisco Giants. Photograph courtesy of BAYCAT.

To learn how your community can invest in impactful change by developing a Center for Arts & Technology visit us at

ncat-mbc.org Manchester Bidwell Corporation Newsletter | manchesterbidwell.org I Page 11

Elementary school students from Pittsburgh Public Schools enjoying a live jazz performance from MCG Jazz’ School of Swing. Photograph by Joel Mora.

1815 Metropolitan Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO 3176