Rebrand Creative Studios: AI Apprenticeships

We tackle the pressing challenges of the digital divide and career stagnation in underserved communities. Across the U.S., over 25 million mid-to-late career adults face limited access to the upskilling opportunities they need to pivot into high-demand tech roles. As technology—and now AI—continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, this gap is widening, leaving underserved communities even further behind. These challenges are compounded by gaps in digital literacy, educational resources, and career guidance. Our solution bridges these divides by offering equitable access to reskilling programs and career pathways, helping to break cycles of economic disparity and empowering individuals to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven digital economy.

Rebrand Creative Studios: AI Apprenticeships provide competency-based training in high-demand tech fields like IT, digital marketing, and graphic design. Participants gain real-world experience through hands-on learning, mentorship, and projects designed in collaboration with industry partners. AI tools like Adobe Generative Fill and Google Ads AI enhance creativity and efficiency, preparing participants for the evolving workforce. Graduates receive Department of Labor certifications, enabling sustainable careers and addressing workforce needs in underserved communities.

We serve underserved adults in mid-to-late career stages, particularly those in historically underrepresented communities across the Southeast. These individuals often face barriers such as limited access to digital literacy, advanced training, and career navigation resources. Our solution bridges these gaps by offering equitable access to reskilling programs and career pathways, powered by an innovative AI-driven curriculum. By blending traditional learning approaches with cutting-edge AI tools, we prepare individuals for the workforce of tomorrow, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy. We will equip them with in-demand skills, hands-on experience, and certifications, enabling career transitions into high-growth tech sectors. This approach not only improves individual economic mobility but also strengthens community resilience and workforce diversity.

Our team is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution because we are deeply connected to and representative of the communities we aim to serve. Led by Kayla Life, a dynamic educator and social impact entrepreneur, we bring over 15 years of experience in technology education, community advocacy, and digital equity. Kayla’s initiatives, including culturally responsive STEM curricula and AI-driven nonprofit solutions, have directly impacted tens of thousands of individuals across underserved communities.

Our team members share a personal and professional proximity to these communities. For example, our board includes leaders like Dr. La’Quata Sumter, a STEM education innovator dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities for underrepresented groups in technology, and Tyvonne Boykin, a cybersecurity expert committed to reducing barriers to tech careers. This diverse expertise ensures our solutions address the lived realities of those we serve.

Community input is integral to our design and implementation processes. We’ve engaged hundreds of individuals through workshops, focus groups, and pilot programs to ensure our solutions align with their needs. For instance, insights from these interactions have shaped our reskilling programs to include digital literacy tools and AI readiness training. By continually listening to and co-creating with the community, we ensure that our initiatives are not only impactful but also sustainable and meaningful to those they serve.

Our solution is at the prototype stage with a fully approved curriculum by the U.S. Department of Labor for apprenticeship programs in fields like IT project management and digital marketing. We have also secured a grant from the State of Maryland to establish a physical computer lab. This facility will serve as a hub for hands-on training and community engagement, allowing us to test and refine our model before expanding into additional communities.

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Our solution integrates AI-driven tools into apprenticeship training, providing a unique combination of real-world application and future-forward learning. Unlike traditional upskilling programs, we leverage AI tools like Adobe Generative Fill, Google Ads AI, and Mailchimp AI to enhance creativity and efficiency, empowering participants to adapt these technologies to real-world challenges. This approach goes beyond teaching technical skills; it fosters critical thinking, adaptability, and innovation.

Our curriculum, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, is designed to be competency-based, ensuring that participants progress at their own pace while mastering essential skills. By combining hands-on learning with industry mentorship, our model bridges the gap between education and employment in underserved communities.

What sets us apart is our emphasis on community-driven design. We actively incorporate feedback from participants, local businesses, and community stakeholders to ensure the program remains relevant and impactful. Additionally, our focus on underserved populations catalyzes broader conversations about equity in workforce development, inspiring others to adopt similar inclusive approaches.

Our solution has the potential to transform the workforce development landscape by demonstrating the viability and scalability of AI-integrated, equity-focused apprenticeships. By addressing workforce shortages while promoting diversity, we aim to set a new standard for reskilling programs.

Our impact goals are to:

1. Equip 1,000 participants annually with in-demand technical skills through our apprenticeship program.
2. Reduce the skills gap in underserved communities by preparing 80% of graduates for immediate employment in tech roles.
3. Promote diversity in the tech industry by ensuring 70% of participants are from historically underrepresented groups.

To measure progress:

• Program Completion Rates: Track the percentage of participants completing the program.
• Employment Outcomes: Monitor job placement rates within six months of graduation.
• Participant Demographics: Analyze enrollment data to ensure diversity targets are met.
• Community Impact: Assess partnerships and local economic benefits through qualitative feedback and quantitative data, such as local business engagement and participant income growth.

We align our metrics with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Regular evaluations and feedback loops ensure continuous improvement in achieving our transformational impact.

Our solution team includes 2 full time, 6 part time members and 1 college intern and one consultant who provide specialized expertise in areas such as AI integration, community engagement, and program evaluation.

Our team has been working on this solution for over five years, refining our approach to bridge the digital divide and create accessible pathways to technology careers. Through iterative development, we’ve continuously integrated feedback from the communities we serve to maximize impact.

Diversity and inclusion are core to our mission and operations. Our leadership team reflects the communities we serve, with representation from women, people of color, and professionals with lived experience in overcoming systemic barriers. We actively recruit from underrepresented groups in technology and prioritize mentorship and growth opportunities for our staff.

We’ve launched apprenticeship programs accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor, ensuring equitable access to career development. Additionally, we foster an inclusive environment by implementing flexible work arrangements, cultural competency training, and open channels for feedback. Our commitment is to continually improve equity and inclusion in our organizational practices and culture.

Our business model centers on providing equitable access to high-demand technical training and career pathways for underserved populations. We operate a hybrid model where value is created for both our direct beneficiaries—apprentices—and our key partners, including businesses and community organizations.

Key Customers and Beneficiaries:

1. Individuals (B2C): Underserved adults seeking career transitions or skill enhancement in tech fields.
2. Organizations (B2B): Businesses seeking skilled talent to meet workforce demands in areas like IT, digital marketing, and graphic design.

Products and Services:

• For Individuals: We deliver hands-on, competency-based apprenticeship programs that include AI-integrated curricula, mentorship, and Department of Labor certifications. These services equip participants with market-relevant skills, ensuring they are job-ready.
• For Organizations: We provide a pipeline of qualified, diverse talent, addressing workforce shortages while supporting corporate social responsibility goals.

Delivery Model: We provide training through physical hubs, such as our upcoming computer lab in Maryland, and virtual platforms to maximize accessibility. Partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits enhance program delivery and job placement opportunities.

Revenue Streams:

• Grants and Donations: Funding from public and private grants, such as our recent Maryland state grant.
• Corporate Partnerships: Fees for apprenticeship program sponsorships and access to trained talent.
• Membership and Program Fees: Nominal fees for additional certifications or specialized training sessions.

This dual-impact model ensures sustainability while addressing critical gaps in workforce development and promoting equity in the tech industry.

Our financial sustainability strategy builds on the momentum of a recent $75,000 grant, positioning us for long-term growth. Our plan includes:

• Expanding Grant Funding: Pursuing additional government and foundation grants by showcasing our proven impact and addressing critical needs in underserved communities.
• Fostering Corporate Partnerships: Collaborating with tech companies and local businesses to sponsor our apprenticeship programs and support workforce development initiatives.
• Diversifying Revenue Streams: Introducing fee-based services, such as certifications and specialized training workshops, to create consistent, independent income sources.
• Growing Individual Support: Launching focused campaigns to cultivate recurring donations from individuals who share our mission and vision.

Thus far, our volunteer-driven model has demonstrated its effectiveness, sustaining operations and validating the need for our programs. The state grant provides critical early validation, laying the groundwork for scaling our impact sustainably and reaching more communities in need.

We are applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to address critical challenges in scaling our solution and amplifying our impact in underserved communities. While we’ve achieved milestones such as launching a curriculum accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor and securing funding for a physical computer lab, we face obstacles in expanding our reach, building operational capacity, and creating sustainable revenue streams. The awards' focus on reskilling and upskilling aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide equitable access to technology and workforce development opportunities.

Our team lead, Kayla Life, a Truist Foundation Fellowship participant through the Watson Institute, has leveraged this program to refine our vision and enhance our capacity to empower communities. Winning this award would enable us to build on this foundation, gaining access to capacity-building resources, funding for additional hubs, and strategic partnerships with corporate sponsors. By collaborating with Truist Foundation and MIT Solve, we could establish scalable revenue models like certification programs, expand job placements for graduates, and host co-branded community events.

This partnership would provide visibility and position us as leaders in equitable workforce development, while also addressing systemic barriers such as limited access to advanced technology and mentorship. With the support and resources provided by this program, we aim to implement transformative solutions that sustainably enhance economic opportunities within the Truist footprint and beyond.