June 16, 2021

Juneteenth Economic Forum Set for June 21-23

Have thoughts about living and working abroad? Trying to make the transition from employee to employer? Exploring business opportunities in a sharing economy? You can learn about these challenges and more at the 5th Annual Juneteenth Economic Forum sponsored by the Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center June 21-23. Register now by going to www.zwhjcoc.org and clicking on Classes.   Session presenters will help you learn more about how to navigate in this new economy. You can find out about the changes happening economically within our landscape. Plan now to join us for these informative sessions.   DAY 1 – JUNE 21 The first Day 1 session begins at 11 a.m. with the recognition of Vincent Ratcliff as the recipient of the Zan W. Holmes Jr. Champion Award. This presentation will be followed immediately with “The Sharing Economy: Creating Apps for Global Use” presented by Mitchell Player Jr. Session 2 begins at 12:30 p.m. when Hallema Sharif and Maatkara Wilson will share their journey living abroad in a session titled “International Living: Working and Living in Another Country as American Citizens.”   DAY 2 - June 22 Day 2 begins at 11 a.m. with Kristina Dove and Timothy Scott discussing “Workforce Transition: Making the Transition from Employee to Employer” followed by “Business Opportunities within the Sharing Economy: Airbnb & Turo Rentals” with presenters John Oloo and Tyranese Dandridge.   Day 3 – June 23 Day 3 begins with a discussion about Career Readiness: Preparing for the Workplace. Session presenters are Ruth Burton and Charles Thornton. Learn about what makes a potential employee the ideal candidate and get firsthand information on Amazon’s hiring process. Day 3 will close out with ZWHJCOC Executive Director Frances Smith-Dean who will help you to get prepared for the next industrial revolution. Her session, titled “Preparing for the 4th Industrial Revolution and Group Economics” will focus on skills needed for the new economy, working internationally and group economics.   Learn more about these topics and presenters at www.zwhjcoc.org. Click on Classes tab. For more information, contact Jasmine Anderson at jasmine.anderson@zwhjcoc.org

Vincent Ratcliff To Receive ZWHJ Champion Award

Vincent Ratcliff will be honored at the opening session of the ZWHJCOC Juneteenth Economic Forum as the 2021 recipient of the Zan W. Holmes Jr. Champion Award. The recipient of this honor demonstrates perseverance and determination in his/her support of the ZWHJCOC in its mission to improve the lives of those who live in poverty by providing them education and job skills. The honoree is always willing to go the extra mile for the community and is relentless in making things happen. Ratcliff joined the ZWHJCOC Board of Directors in 2017 and was elected Treasurer soon after. He has generously donated to the organization, helping to fund its programs and services. Read more about Vincent here: www.zwhjcoc.org/vincent-ratcliff-bio

ZWHJCOC Receives Texas Women’s Foundation Grant

Texas Women’s Foundation has awarded $22,800 from their Resilience Fund to the Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community Outreach Center. The grant will support the Financial Wellness Village for women, which debuted June 7, with 20 enrollees in the first cohort. The women are participating in a 12-week coaching program that will provide a coach, case management, and financial techniques to help them thrive during challenging times. Texas Women’s Foundation is Transforming Texas for women and girls by advancing their economic security and leadership through research, advocacy, grants and programs. Learn more: https://txwf.org/about-us/

Financial Literacy Classes Changing Lives

Since its inception, the Outreach Center has become a hub for training, skills development and field-specific networking opportunities, with the main focus being to provide entrepreneurship, STEM Workforce Pathways Training and asset building classes. Asset Building classes include Increments of Success, Cash Flow, Collateral and Leverage, and the new Women’s Financial Wellness Village.   Listen now as Bobbie Blackmon talks about her experience with the Outreach Center while promoting the Financial Wellness Village. Blackmon says the ZWHJCOC has helped to change her life. Click the video above to view.   Increments of Success Coaching combines technical training (low voltage program) with financial planning. It helps individuals develop SMART goals to help them become economically sustainable. Thirty-five plus individuals have participated in this program and it has helped seven to become entrepreneurs. Cashflow, Collateral and Leverage sessions teach participants about the economy and financial assets to help individuals build wealth. Cryptocurrencies, forex trading, stock, and real estate investing are some of the topics covered in the sessions. There are currently five tribes underway in the Cash Flow sessions. The Financial Wellness Village for Women is the latest financial literacy offering being presented by The Center.   New sessions begin throughout the year. To learn more about these sessions and to explore how they might help you, contact info@zwhjcoc.org.

ZWHJCOC's mission is to help create self-sustaining pathways out of poverty for young people and families in Dallas through education and job placement.

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