Thursday, September 10, 2015

IT-Ready No Cost Training at EnglewoodBlue Now Accepting Applications


Creating IT Futures Foundation to Train Adults for Tech Jobs in Chicago

Sep 09, 2015
Applications for Tuition-Free Training Now Open

EnglewoodBlueDowners Grove, Ill. — The Creating IT Futures Foundation is bringing its IT-Ready model of training and job placement to Chicago this fall to help unemployed and under-employed adults gain their first jobs in the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers.

The accelerated tech training program is no cost to students (18 years of age or older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com - See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf
older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com - See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf








- See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf

Creating IT Futures Foundation to Train Adults for Tech Jobs in Chicago

Sep 09, 2015
Applications for Tuition-Free Training Now Open

EnglewoodBlueDowners Grove, Ill. — The Creating IT Futures Foundation is bringing its IT-Ready model of training and job placement to Chicago this fall to help unemployed and under-employed adults gain their first jobs in the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers.

The accelerated tech training program is no cost to students (18 years of age or older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com
- See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf

Creating IT Futures Foundation to Train Adults for Tech Jobs in Chicago

Sep 09, 2015
Applications for Tuition-Free Training Now Open

EnglewoodBlueDowners Grove, Ill. — The Creating IT Futures Foundation is bringing its IT-Ready model of training and job placement to Chicago this fall to help unemployed and under-employed adults gain their first jobs in the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers.

The accelerated tech training program is no cost to students (18 years of age or older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com
- See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf

Creating IT Futures Foundation to Train Adults for Tech Jobs in Chicago

Sep 09, 2015
Applications for Tuition-Free Training Now Open

EnglewoodBlueDowners Grove, Ill. — The Creating IT Futures Foundation is bringing its IT-Ready model of training and job placement to Chicago this fall to help unemployed and under-employed adults gain their first jobs in the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers.

The accelerated tech training program is no cost to students (18 years of age or older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com
- See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf

Creating IT Futures Foundation to Train Adults for Tech Jobs in Chicago

Sep 09, 2015
Applications for Tuition-Free Training Now Open

EnglewoodBlueDowners Grove, Ill. — The Creating IT Futures Foundation is bringing its IT-Ready model of training and job placement to Chicago this fall to help unemployed and under-employed adults gain their first jobs in the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers.

The accelerated tech training program is no cost to students (18 years of age or older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com
- See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf

Creating IT Futures Foundation to Train Adults for Tech Jobs in Chicago

Sep 09, 2015
Applications for Tuition-Free Training Now Open

EnglewoodBlueDowners Grove, Ill. — The Creating IT Futures Foundation is bringing its IT-Ready model of training and job placement to Chicago this fall to help unemployed and under-employed adults gain their first jobs in the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers.

The accelerated tech training program is no cost to students (18 years of age or older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com
- See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf

Creating IT Futures Foundation to Train Adults for Tech Jobs in Chicago

Sep 09, 2015
Applications for Tuition-Free Training Now Open

EnglewoodBlueDowners Grove, Ill. — The Creating IT Futures Foundation is bringing its IT-Ready model of training and job placement to Chicago this fall to help unemployed and under-employed adults gain their first jobs in the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers.

The accelerated tech training program is no cost to students (18 years of age or older) and earns them a foothold in an upwardly mobile IT career. Since the program was established in 2012, 90 percent of students graduating from IT-Ready classes managed by Creating IT Futures have earned their CompTIA A+ certification and more than 80 percent have landed paid IT jobs.

Partnering with the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) and their EnglewoodBlue Business and Technology Accelerator, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class at EnglewoodBlue for as many as 25 adult students starting on October 26. Applications will be accepted through October 12 at www.ITReady.com.

“Chicago’s tech communities continue to grow, and we need more people with quality tech skills to help our city’s entrepreneurs thrive,” said Glen Fulton, executive director, Greater Englewood CDC.

“We look forward to bringing the IT-Ready model to our EnglewoodBlue state-of-the-art IT education facilities and helping more workers join the developing tech industry,” said Bruce Montgomery, chief technology officer, Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue.

Chicago is the third pop-up location of IT-Ready for the Foundation, following success in Omaha, Neb., in 2014 and in Philadelphia this spring. Creating IT Futures uses the one-time, pop-up format to introduce communities to the IT-Ready model for potential long-term management by local, non-profit partners. Accelerated programs that meet IT-Ready standards currently are offered year-round in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Minneapolis / St. Paul; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by the IT-Ready Network of partners.

“Last June at the Clinton Global Initiative, we launched the IT-Ready Network with the goal of training 5,000 people for IT careers by 2018,” said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation. “Both the Foundation and our parent organization, CompTIA, are headquartered in the Chicago area, so it’s only natural that Chicago is the next city in our expansion. We are committed to helping hard-working individuals get the skills training and employer connections they need to find career success in the IT industry. We’re excited to partner with Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue in the expansion of the IT-Ready model.”

What Do IT-Ready Students Learn?

In the IT-Ready training model, students get hands-on labs taking apart and building desktop computers and other hardware; learn about motherboards, printers, peripheral devices, memory and physical storage, connections and mobile devices; set up computer networks and troubleshoot networks, displays, printers, and operating systems; configure operating systems and hardware; and secure networks, systems and data.

IT-Ready students also receive targeted professional development in key business “soft” skills such as professional communication and presentation, teamwork and collaboration, and critical thinking and problem solving. IT-Ready graduates are grounded in these key skills and prepared to apply them on day one of their new jobs. After completing their eight weeks of initial training, the students sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.

IT-Ready students receive:
  • Free tuition, books and learning materials,
  • More than 240 hours of classroom and hands-on tech and soft skills training,
  • Certification vouchers toward the CompTIA A+ exam, and
  • A mentor to guide the student during their classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
Beyond recruiting for participants for IT-Ready training, Creating IT Futures is looking for Chicago businesses to commit to considering the resumes of CompTIA A+ certified IT-Ready graduates and interviewing qualified candidates for entry-level IT positions. Dozens of participating IT-Ready employers in other cities include such recognized names as HealthPartners, JPMorgan Chase, Pomeroy, TEKsystems and Time Warner Cable. These companies have received the benefits of skilled workers and simultaneously helped their communities. Interested employers should contact Amy Spear at aspear@comptia.org.

Potential employers, mentors, students and community partners can learn more at www.ITReady.com.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation/EnglewoodBlue.com
The Greater Englewood CDC is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to “rebrand, rebuild and revitalize” the Greater Englewood Community by building on community assets and facilitating sustainable public/private collaborations with residents and key community development stakeholders. EnglewoodBlue.com is a small business accelerator and workforce development IT Training center. It is physically located and operated by the Greater Englewood CDC. Our mission is to offer start-up, early stage, small businesses resources and IT training to accelerate the development entrepreneurial ventures and advance their job creation efforts.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures Foundation
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org

Bruce Montgomery
Greater Englewood CDC/EnglewoodBlue
312-725-8601
bruce@englewoodblue.com
- See more at: http://www.creatingitfutures.org/about-us/news/pr/2015/09/09/creating-it-futures-foundation-to-train-adults-for-tech-jobs-in-chicago#sthash.v0mYLyZ0.dpuf

Monday, August 31, 2015

Why Chicago Is Shaping Up to Be One of the Hottest Tech Startup Scenes

For the second year in a row, Chicago trails only New York City as the No. 1 hub for fast-growing private companies on the Inc. 5000. Here's a quick look at why. 

IMAGE: Getty Images
There's a reason why more and more entrepreneurs are calling the Windy City home.
Currently, Chicago hosts as many as 104 private companies on the Inc. 5000 (last year, it counted 95), landing second place on the list of Top Cities for Fast-Growing Companies. New York City grabbed the No. 1 spot. Of those 104 businesses in Chicago, 38 fall under the IT services sector.
In a 2015 report from investment firm CBRE, Chicago ranked as the 5th largest and 11th fastest-growing tech market in the country. Over the past four years, the capital city has created more than 40,000 tech jobs. (CBRE's research team used 13 metrics to give each market a score, depending on its competitive advantage, ability to draw talent, and ability increase its pool of tech professionals.)
Indeed, technology is revamping an already-strong startup ecosystem, argues Howard Tullman, an Inc.com columnist and the CEO of 1871, a business incubator that currently works with 425 companies and 1,600 clients.
Office interior at 1871
The advent of 3D printing makes manufacturing less costly. At large, the manufacturing sector is being infused with many technological advancements, he says, noting that the maker movement in particular is good for business.
"In Chicago, you see a lot of marketplace businesses and software as services," adds Stuart Larkins, founder of Chicago Ventures. The two-year-old venture capital firm provides seed and early stage funding to 44 startups in the area. One of those includes SpotHero, a Chicago-based on-demand parking app, which just announced that it raised $22 million in a Series B funding round on Wednesday. 
"I personally think Chicago is very approachable," Larkins adds. "We find it very easy to get our companies introductions to new people for new business opportunities."
Still, the Windy City isn't trying to follow in the footsteps of its Western brother, Silicon Valley, as Pritzker Group founder J.B. Pritzker discussed with Tullman at Inc. and CNBC's iCONIC conference last May. "We aspire to be a great tech hub with great entrepreneurs," he said.
Here are three reasons for the Midwestern city's recent emergence as a major force for small businesses:

1. It's rich with industry diversity.

Chicago is famously home to large companies in diverse sectors. Industry giants like Boeing and United Airlines prove that transportation continues to thrive there, while health care and education services are also gaining traction. 1871 counts 100 companies in health care I.T., and 24 in education, the latter of which are bringing tech solutions to the classroom.
Infiniteach, for example, is an app that helps individuals with autism to better communicate and learn new skills. In March, the startup won the audience choice award at the Google-Autism Speaks pitch competition, including a cash prize of $10,000.
Another growing industry in Chicago is mobility, which includes parking and shared vehicle services like SpotHero. Essentially, the sector encapsulates "everything outside of a car," says Tullman. Major French car companies, along with executives from BMW, are now being drawn to the incubator's spacious digs. He predicts that bike-sharing will soon morph into electric car-sharing in the city proper, as the surplus economy continues to grow.
A wealth of big businesses provide new market opportunity for smaller ones: Startups are increasingly going the business-to-business (B2B) route, meaning they frequently work with other companies as opposed to going directly clients. "From the very beginning, they're focusing on how they can be bought," Tullman explains. "The frequency of exits is growing."
In fact, 2014 was the city's best tech year to date, according to Built In Chicago, an online community for startups. Overall, 155 companies received nearly $1.6 million in funding, while 34 exits raked in $7 billion. Still, Tullman doesn't expect to see many billion dollar exits any time soon, since successful founders are increasingly electing to launch secondary and tertiary ventures.
Industry diversity also means that it's easy for Chicago startups -- especially those B2B models -- to get in front of their customers, because larger companies want exposure to smaller ones.

2. It has a robust VC scene (though startups don't need much these days).

Chicago Ventures doesn't disclose its investments, but Larkins says he's seeing more Midwest startups receive minimal funding in the early stages, as opposed to raising big funding rounds.
A startup that launched in 2000 may have needed $10 million. Today, however, companies can get away with an investment as low as $500,000 and reach similar accomplishments, he says. Thanks to advancements in technology, tasks that would have been expensive a decade ago are much cheaper.
Increasingly, Chicago startups are turning to alternative financing models. Early stage funds, angel investors and crowd funding are now popular means of raising capital. "Traditional venture guys are migrating upstream to private equity, because these startups just don't need 5 or 10 million dollars," Tullman adds.
What's more, those larger venture funds can't afford to invest in small amounts, since they're trying to accrue their own capital.
Tullman encourages businesses at 1871 to focus more on creating a steady revenue stream instead of raising funding from a third party.


3. There's a bevy of tech talent.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduates hundreds of engineers and computer scientist each year, and ranks as having the sixth-best engineering program nationwide, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
The caveat, however, is the challenge of retaining the talents. Millennials are frequently lured away from Chicago by the promise of working in Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley. Many University of Illinois graduates move out of the state after graduation. The so-called "brain drain" is detrimental to the state's economy.
Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel has been active in bringing in (and keeping) more tech talent. In 2012, he created the annual ThinkChicago: Lollapalooza competition. The event invites 125 elite tech and computer science students from universities nationwide to come and learn about the city's thriving business ecosystem and culture. In 2014, the Mayor launched the first-ever Chicago College Start Up competition, which gives 10 winning businesses free access to office space and mentorship.
The overall quality of life in Chicago may make up for its perceived sluggishness, at least compared to  New York City. A recent "Livability" report, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (E.I.U.), finds that Chicago ranks No. 33 for its stability, which is also the second-highest of any U.S. city.
Larkins, for his part, nods to the overall "ho, hum" attitude taken by Midwesterners. Windy though Chicago may be, there's little bluster. "We believe in karma and doing favors," he says.
While the cost of living in Chicago is significantly lower than The Big Apple, it's not exactly cheap. In a 2013 study from personal finance website NerdWallet, Chicago was ranked the 31st most-expensive city in America, with the median home price hovering at $436,871. Weather, too, may be more than just an anecdotal issue. A recent snowstorm accounted for at least 13 deaths in the metro area this year.
Still, if the sheer number of Chicago exits are any indication -- and coupled with this year's enviable Inc. 5000 data -- the city might just be an ideal place to launch your next venture (or two, or three).



Reporter, Inc.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation Work Together To Benefit Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Annual Quotes for Education Program Raises Up to $200,000 in Scholarship Funds for Current and Future HBCU Students
August 03, 2015: 09:00 AM ET

NORTHBROOK, Ill.Aug. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate will donate up to $200,000 to the Tom Joyner Foundation as part of the company's Quotes for Education (QFE) program to support current and future generations of students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Between August 1 and November 30, 2015, Allstate will donate $10 per quote for every person who receives an insurance quote from a participating Allstate agent and mentions "Quotes for Education," or quotes online at www.allstate.com/HBCU.

Funds raised through the program will be given to the Tom Joyner Foundation and earmarked for general scholarship funds to assist students attending HBCUs. Additionally, for the fourth year, HBCU supporters will have the chance to cast their vote on www.allstate.com/HBCU for the HBCU of their choice to receive an additional $50,000 in scholarship funding from Allstate.
"HBCUs need support and funding now more than ever," said Cheryl Harris, senior vice president at Allstate and alumna of Florida A&M University. "Our hope is that the HBCU community will join Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation in supporting this program that will create educational opportunities for the next generation of HBCU students."

According to a 2014 study by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, half of the HBCUs surveyed have a black student graduation rate of 34 percent or lower within six years. Through the QFE program, Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation are challenging HBCU advocates to invest in the future of HBCUs across the country by giving back, honoring the distinct missions and legacies of their alma maters.

"With more than 100 institutions across the country, HBCUs have a heritage and history worth investing in and protecting," says Tom Joyner, a Tuskegee University alumnus and chairman and founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation. "During these trying economic times, the annual scholarship gives hope and helps these students continue to strive for academic success. HBCUs are part of my DNA and I'm so glad to share the love, pride and passion that I have for the HBCU community and investing in future generations of HBCU graduates."

In addition to its QFE partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation, Allstate has been the title-sponsor of the Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion for the past 11 years. Both of these programs are part of Allstate's year round commitment to programs that empower the African American community.

To participate in the QFE program, visit allstate.com/HBCU to find a nearby participating agent, receive a quote online and for official rules.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate,EsuranceEncompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." The Allstate brand's network of small businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and services to customers in the United States and Canada. In the 20 years since Allstate became a fully independent public company, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners have donated more than $405 million to support local communities.

About The Tom Joyner Foundation
The Tom Joyner Foundation (http://tomjoynerfoundation.org) was founded in 1998 as the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The mission of the Foundation is to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. The Foundation has provided necessary support to every HBCU in its 18-year history to help sustain and preserve the legacies of these valuable institutions. Through fundraising and donor development initiatives, $65 million has been raised to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs. Additionally, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support, and career development to deserving students.



SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company

Monday, August 24, 2015

Crop Circles Food Desert Campaign Enters Chicago

Crop Circles Food Desert Campaign Enters Chicago


CHICAGOAug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tessemae's All Natural, in collaboration with Whole Foods Market® and Garden Highway will be hosting a majorpop-up farmers market called "Crop Circles."  Crop Circles will be serving free fresh produce to an estimated 2,500 local residents on Saturday, August 22nd, from 10am-3pm at TEAM Englewood Academy.  Other partners include, The Gardeneers, Chicago Eco House, Growing Home, and Growing Power.  There will be activities, live entertainment, and most importantly, educational workshops.
Crop Circles is a national campaign, designed to help elevate the national food desert predicament through solution-based ideas and bring meaningful change to those in need of healthy nutrition.
"Tessemae's All Natural is proud to have our Crop Circles campaign come to Chicago.  Mayor Emanuel has been committed to addressing the needs of residents in food desert neighborhoods in Chicago to access fresh produce. And we believe that our commitment of supporting health awareness initiatives and providing access to quality produce in food deserts compliments those efforts within the City of Chicago." -Greg Vetter, CEO. 
"Providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Chicago residents that live in food desert areas continues to be a priority for the City of Chicago and I am pleased that these organizations are stepping up to provide not only free food, but educational programming and cooking demonstrations to the Englewood community," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Over the last three years, Mayor Emanuel has opened eight new grocery stores in underserved areas and another five are planning to open soon, as well as expanded 18 existing stores to offer fresh produce. City-operated farmers markets have nearly doubled since 2011, with a 60 percent increase in the number of markets accepting SNAP. The City also created a new business license to allow the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables at free-standing produce stands throughout low-income areas of the city. Through these efforts, the number of low income Chicagoans living in food deserts has declined by 40 percent.
Local chefs originally from Englewood will head the educational workshops, which will demonstrate to residents how to cook simple meals using the produce provided.  The event will serve as an incredible happening for the people of Englewood, a resilient group who have strongly expressed their voices in improving the neighborhood.  
About Tessemae's All NaturalTessemae's All Natural is an organic condiment company that makes salad dressing and condiments with real, whole, source food ingredients.  The Vetter brothers, Greg, Brian, and Matt, launched the brand in 2009 at their local Whole Foods Market in Annapolis, Maryland, using a simple recipe created and used by their mom throughout their childhood.  Tessemae's commitment to healthy eating and living is the core of their mission, to provide simple, yet delicious food to consumers made with real ingredients.  Available in Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Safeway, The Fresh Market, and Earthfare retailers across the country, Tessemae's products are creating a new category in salad dressings and raising consumer awareness on the importance of consuming real, clean ingredients.  For more information please visit www.tessemaes.com.
About Garden HighwayGarden Highway is a family of talented people who share a passion for great food and a dedication to excellence. Their mission is to create simple, convenient, fresh products for today's consumer. At GH, they are living their vision of building a national, fresh perishable food company with production facilities strategically located across the country. Their products are regionally produced, made to order, and delivered "Just-in-Time" to your distribution centers.
About Whole Foods MarketFounded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ:  WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America's first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named "America's Healthiest Grocery Store" by Health magazine. The company's motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company's more than 90,000 team members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine for 17 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2014, the company had sales of more than $14 billion and currently has more than 427 stores in the United StatesCanada and the United Kingdom.
SOURCE Tessemae’s All Natural

Monday, August 17, 2015

Valuable Upcoming Information Sessions From the US Small Business Administration


        SBA logo

        Disaster Aug 17-21

Webinar | What Small Businesses Need to Know About The Switch to Chip Card Technology

Wednesday, August 26, 20152:00 PM ET

Did you know that an important shift is occurring with card payment technology that might impact your business? Keeping up with the newest, most secure card payment technology is very important for small business owners. SBA has teamed up with Square to help small businesses navigate the upcoming transition from magnetic stripe to chip card technology.


Webinar | Affordable Care Act 101

SBA and Small Business Majority will host a free Affordable Care Act 101 webinar so small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how they can enroll in health insurance marketplaces. 

Event | ChallengeHER, New Hampshire

Matchmaking opportunities for women in federal contracting, featuring Senator Jeanne Shaheen 

Tuesday, August 18, 2015Registration opens at 7:45am to 1:00pm

The ChallengeHER campaign leverages the resources of the SBA, WIPP, and American Express OPEN to connect women-owned businesses with decision makers and procurement officials at federal agencies and prime contractors to receive guidance on how best to sell their goods and services to them. This program is focused on the Woman Owned Small Business set aside program providing you with insight and tools on how to market to the government. 



Learning Center

Encore Entrepreneurs: An Introduction to Starting Your Own Business 

Do you know that your experience and wisdom can be a valuable asset as you begin your entrepreneurial journey? Find out how to leverage your assets to start a successful business. 
  • Develop your business idea 
  • Choose a business model 
  • Write a business plan 
  • Get access to expert help and counseling

Take Your High-Tech Product to Market

Your product or service is on the cutting edge of technology, a game changer. Now you need to find the best way to get your breakthrough to market. This course will introduce you to the product life cycle of high-tech products and help you find the best way to enter the market and sell your product or service. 
  • Identify the unique marketing characteristics of high-tech products 
  • Learn about the stages of the product life cycle 
  • Get an introduction to the Product Diffusion Curve 
  • See examples of high-tech product pricing, placement and promotion considerations

Conference Call | What You Need to Know About Exporting to Cuba

The Bureau of Industry (BIS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce has scheduled monthly call-in programs to field questions from the exporting community concerning the Cuba rule published on January 16, 2015. The calls are scheduled at 2 pm EDT on the following days: 
  • September 8
  • October 13
  • November 10 
  • December 8
Toll Free Number: 1-888-889-0538 Participant passcode: CUBA

  

Blog | 4 Strategies for Sharing Ownership with Employees

Business owners may have sound reasons for giving shares to their employees. It incentivizes staff to be loyal and productive and it can translate into financial rewards for the owner. Tax rules make transfers of stock complicated for corporations and employees. Here are four ways to get stock into the hands of employees, and what these strategies mean for you, the owner, your company, and your staff.


Blog | Celebrating International Youth Day: 3 Ways to Get Involved With Local Youth

Since 2000, the United Nations has used International Youth Day to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. This year the theme is Youth Civic Engagement. Young people will share their stories, swap ideas, and participate in events on civic engagement activities. They are future business owners, partners, and customers.


Blog | Nimble and Inclusive Capital Formation Paths – Two JOBS Act Conversations in NYC

In September 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and SBA announced a partnership to host joint events to educate and interact with small businesses and entrepreneurs. The topics of those discussions involved new options that have and will become available to them to raise capital under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act. 


Blog | 5 Ways to Improve Your Business Credit Scores

Having strong business credit scores and ratings are key to getting approved for trade credit and financing for your company. In the same way that personal credit scores serves as a financial report card, your business credit scores grade the creditworthiness of your business.