Beyond School Walls
© 2019 Beyond School Walls
Last year, Cox and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) joined forces to launch a new approach to mentoring with a program called Beyond School Walls. Though other BBBS affiliates had tried the program, this was the first of its kind for Atlanta. This program combines traditional mentorship with an immersive educational experience. The one simple, but very important element that makes this program different than traditional mentoring programs is location. 
Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Bill Barker of Monticello, speaks during a civics event at the U.S. Chamber Foundation in Washington, D.C.
© Photo by Ian Wagreich / © U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

On November 7, 2019, Monticello’s Thomas Jefferson joined the Chamber Foundation for a forum to discuss the state of civic knowledge, civic engagement, and civil discourse in America. This is an excerpt from his remarks to the audience.

Korean Peninsula at night from space
© NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using Suomi NPP VIIRS data from Miguel Román, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
A strong business community matters to the nation because the private sector produces the goods, services, and jobs that society needs to survive and thrive, individually and collectively. Moreover, the private sector-led economic activity provides the revenue to fund the public sector in its vital role in the country.  
Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Bill Barker of Monticello, speaks during a civics event at the U.S. Chamber Foundation in Washington, D.C.
© Photo by Ian Wagreich / © U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

George Washington once described “the education of our youth in the science of government” as one of the most important priorities for the young republic. 

Talent Forward 2019 Wrap-Up
© Photo by Ian Wagreich / © U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Each year, as the Chamber Foundation hosts the Talent Forward national workforce conference, we focus on talent—educating and training, talent tech and data, recruiting, hiring, and upskilling. With no shortage of talent challenges, the opportunities for informative discussion are endless. While a day devoted to dissecting talent-related topics could focus solely on the problems, Talent Forward is all about the solutions.

Experimental Sites Initiative + Federal Work Study
© 2019 Getty Images
Though not widely known outside of the education community, the Department of Education recently released information about a new pilot for institutions willing to reimagine their Federal Work Study (FWS) programs. Given the pilot’s emphasis on increased industry engagement in FWS, it is imperative that the business community be informed about the pilot and reach out to their education partners to leverage this pioneering opportunity to benefit our nation’s students. Chances like this are few and far between…and will become completely obsolete if limited interest prevails innovative thinking. 
Achieving Tomorrow in Boston
© 2019 Getty Images

To close the opportunity divide, cities like Boston are looking to strategic partnerships between employers and workforce and talent development programs to connect underserved youth with the work-based learning experiences that exist in their own community and help equip them with the skills and real-world experience they need to succeed in them. 

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