IBM And Usher’s New Look Revolutionize Tech Education For Minority Students

Usher’s New Look (UNL) and IBM have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration to foster career readiness in AI and professional workplace skills.

UNL is a 501c3 organization founded by Usher Raymond IV in 1999 that supports a vision that all youth should be afforded the chance to unlock their full potential.

Transforming under-resourced youth 

IBM SkillsBuild is a free education program focused on underrepresented communities in tech.

The partnership with UNL is set to transform the lives of thousands of high school and college students, especially those from underrepresented communities in technology.

“Joining forces with Usher’s New Look marks a significant step in making a real difference for promising young learners,” stated Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President & Chief Impact Officer.

This collaboration aligns with IBM’s commitment to training two million individuals in AI by 2026, emphasizing both AI skills and durable professional capabilities.

UNL, renowned for transforming under-resourced youth through education and leadership development, now integrates IBM SkillsBuild into its curriculum. 

An AI-focused curriculum

This partnership, focusing on AI technologies like generative AI and AI ethics, marks IBM as UNL’s inaugural education technology partner. 

The curriculum includes courses such as “Resume-writing with generative AI” and “Building your own AI chatbot,” ensuring students are well-prepared for future career endeavors.

Moreover, IBM SkillsBuild will provide students with over 1,000 free courses, including AI fundamentals and machine learning, complementing their leadership and financial literacy learning.

With communities across the U.S. benefiting from this initiative, including Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles, UNL will integrate IBM SkillsBuild into various programs, including their Disruptivator Clubs and the Leadership Academy Initiatives. 

The upcoming 2024 UNL Disruptivator Summit in Atlanta will further showcase this powerful collaboration.