We are proud to announce that we are a partner in Building Equitable Pathways. This national coalition of leading intermediaries, organized by national nonprofit JFF, aims to unlock more equitable postsecondary and career outcomes for Black and Latinx youth and young people who are experiencing poverty. Together, we can develop and scale postsecondary and career pathways that lead to more equitable outcomes. This expansion is made possible through investments totaling $2.3 million to JFF and the 14 partnering organizations from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Walton Family Foundation.
Building Equitable Pathways aims to ensure that, at every stage and key transition point in their lives, Black and Latinx youth and young people experiencing poverty can access the knowledge, skills development opportunities, support, and relationships necessary to thrive in education and the workforce.
“This increased investment in Building Equitable Pathways is a confirmation of our collective responsibility and power to change our education and workforce systems,” said Kyle Hartung, associate vice president at JFF. “By leading with an intentional focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, intermediaries can inspire other leaders to dismantle inequitable structural and systemic barriers, so all students have an equal opportunity to succeed.”
Drawing on decades of expertise in pathways, JFF will lead and learn with 14 innovative intermediary organizations across the country including EdSystems, together with Career Connect Washington, CareerWise Colorado, CityWorks DC, CSCU Student Success Center, Delaware Department of Education, Educate Texas, EmployIndy, HERE to HERE, Rush Education and Career Hub, Say Yes Buffalo, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Urban Alliance, and YouthForce NOLA. Intermediaries are critical to this work because they bring together key players and mobilize the cross-sector partnerships necessary for equitable pathways.
“This past year, the EdSystems team began a journey to intentionally focus on advancing racial equity in all aspects of our work,” says EdSystems Executive Director Jonathan Furr. “Joining the coalition will allow us to learn from other innovators in the field, refine our frameworks, and amplify innovative models and practices that promise more equitable outcomes. We look forward to collaborating with the other intermediaries and implementing our learnings here in Illinois.”
The initiative seeks to increase capacity, collaboration, and sustainability across our education and workforce systems and collectively influence more equitable outcomes in postsecondary education and career. Building on the foundation set by the first cohort launched in 2019, the work will increase intermediaries’ impact in three key areas:
- promoting racial equity in pathways
- advocating for policy solutions
- cultivating data and infrastructure
This second Building Equitable Pathways cohort will continue through March 2024. Learn more at www.jff.org/equitablepathways.
About JFF: JFF is a national nonprofit that drives transformation in the American workforce and education systems. For nearly 40 years, JFF has led the way in designing innovative and scalable solutions that create access to economic advancement for all.
