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Building Black Futures: Spotlighting Brooklyn’s Workforce Leaders

Brooklyn Org is celebrating Black History Month and the brilliance and resilience of Black Brooklynites this February! This year’s theme, African Americans and Labor, honors the generations of Black workers, organizers, and leaders who have shaped industries, built institutions, and fought for economic justice in Brooklyn and beyond.

At Brooklyn Org, we know that there is no racial justice without economic justice; and we are proud to invest in Black-led organizations that are creating career pathways, closing opportunity gaps, and equipping Brooklynites with the tools to thrive across our communities.

This month, we’re spotlighting some of our grantee partners leading the way in workforce development. Each of these organizations is actively shaping Brooklyn’s future by creating access to careers, fostering creativity, and addressing systemic barriers to economic opportunity across our communities.

Two people holding microphones, smiling and singing. One wears a red gown, the other a black dress. They're indoors with a large window and city lights in the background.

Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BTFA)

Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BTFA) advances Black trans art and culture by building community and providing workshops, networking opportunities, and space to make art, led entirely by and for Black trans femme artists.

“We’re able to give hope to a community and individuals who have not been able to hope for a long time.”

“There was a lot of conversation around just not feeling seen in art spaces, or being unsafe in places where you’re just trying to rehearse, or you’re trying to record as a hip hop artist. You’re facing transphobia and potentially violence.”

– Jordyn Jay, Executive Director, Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BFTA)

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Drive Change

Drive Change provides formerly incarcerated young people with four-month paid learning and skills-building fellowships that equip them with the tools to succeed in the food service industry and become leaders in their community.

“What we do is help fellows see themselves as who they truly are, and help them understand that they deserve a seat at the table…We want to help the young people in our program to manifest their destinies and acquire the skills to get there.”

– Kalilah Moon, Executive Director, Drive Change

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A group of thirteen people posing outdoors, all wearing "First Tech Fund" t-shirts. One person holds a sign with the same text. Trees and grass are in the background.

First Tech Fund

First Tech Fund equalizes the academic and professional playing field for low-income high school students by providing them with access to free technology and internet access, mentorship, and a digital skills curriculum.

“Twenty percent of households in the NY metro area don’t have high-speed internet, and 750K students live in those households. Compounding this lack of technology and connectivity is a lack of access to information, mentorship, and opportunities in low-income areas which inspired us to take action in our local community of New York City.”

“There are so many students who we work with who just needed an opportunity and when they get it, they maximize their potential to the fullest.”

– Josue de Paz, Executive Director, First Tech Fund

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Person in work attire and knee pads leans against a wooden structure outdoors, with trees and a park in the background.

Green City Force

Green City Force equips youth with the necessary tools to be leaders in building sustainable and resilient cities through environmental workforce training, career readiness opportunities, and leadership programs.

“The vision was to tackle the sustainability challenges of the housing authority while building workforce pathways for a whole community of young folks that needed a platform to thrive economically.”

– Tonya Gayle, Executive Director, Green City Force

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A Black man in a black hoodie sitting on a desk.

Youth Design Center

Youth Design Center provides young people with marketable hard skills in STEAM like graphic and web design, and access to post-secondary education in order to achieve economic mobility and engage in community revitalization.

“The young people that come to us leave with a portfolio, an understanding of the creative economy and the jobs in the STEAM professions.”

– Quardean Lewis-Allen, Executive Director, Youth Design Center.

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As we honor Black History Month this year, we recognize that the fight for racial and economic justice is not just about reflecting on the past but also about uplifting the people and movements shaping our collective future.

Stay tuned on our social media throughout February as we continue to highlight the incredible leaders and organizations working to build a more just and prosperous Brooklyn.

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