Message from the Founder
Dear CACC Community,
As we close another incredible year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the progress we’ve made. We have touched many lives and built meaningful partnerships. From groundbreaking initiatives to transformative programs, CACC continues to empower communities in Colorado. This newsletter highlights our accomplishments in 2024 and sets the stage for our ambitious goals in 2025.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together, we are making a lasting impact.
Warm regards,
Samuel Ogah
Founder, Colorado African Cultural Center (CACC)
Celebrating Our Achievements in 2024
This fall, we celebrated the Digital Equity Training Program Graduation. This event marked a pivotal moment for 27 small business owners in East Colfax, Montbello, and Park Hill. Participants engaged in hands-on training in crucial areas such as website creation, social media management, and digital marketing. They gained essential tools to thrive in the digital age.
Key Achievements:
We provided laptops, smartphones, and three months of free internet.
Participants received three months of ongoing business support through our Business Accelerator team.
We empowered underrepresented communities with practical digital skills to expand their businesses.
Our partnership with PCs for People, Denver Economic Development Opportunity (DEDO), ZICT, and the Denver Foundation played a critical role. They helped provide affordable devices, ensuring sustainability beyond the program.
Scholarship Announcement: 2025 Cohort Opportunities (UpSkill and Get Hired)
We are excited to announce a Scholarship Program for ZICT's Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering, AI/ML Mastery, AWS ML Associate Exam Prep, and DevOps Training. This program is designed to bridge the skills gap and prepare students for six-figure career opportunities.
Program Details:
Total Scholarship Amount: $50,000
Final Fee: $5,500 per person
Curriculum Focus: From Cloud Architects to Cybersecurity Engineers, tailored to match industry demand.
Lab Access: Students will work on real-world GitHub projects, live applications, and internship opportunities.
Applications will open in early 2025. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to elevate your career!
Young Tech Innovator Program Expansion
This year, we also expanded the Young Tech Innovator Program. We reached over 1,000 students with groundbreaking STEM education. Participants explored topics such as:
AI Fundamentals
Cybersecurity
Quantum Computing
Mobile App Development
Cloud Computing
Field trips to NREL, Denver Airport, and the Nature & Science Museum provided students with hands-on exposure to technology in action. By partnering with MySpark and Denver Public Schools, we’re scaling this program to reach over 2,000 kids in 2025.
Our 2024 Impact at a Glance
We welcomed over 8,000 attendees at Dashiki Day Festival.
Trained 3 cohorts through ZICT, with 30% of graduates promoted or transitioning into new roles.
Served 6,000 individuals through various community programs.
7 graduates secured jobs with salaries between $90,000–$120,000.
Partnered with Hope Hall to support housing initiatives and launched a financial literacy program.
2025 Goals: Scaling New Heights
As we look ahead, our priorities for 2025 include:
Digital Equity Expansion: Launching programs in East Colfax, Globeville, Denver Metro, and Aurora, aiming to serve over 1,000 businesses.
Young Tech Innovator Expansion: Partnering with schools to bring STEM education to 2,000+ children, focusing on underserved communities.
Fundraiser Gala: Join us on April 25, 2025, for our first CACC Fundraiser Gala. This event will highlight our achievements and showcase success stories while rallying support for our initiatives in 2025.
Youth Resilience Wellness Program (YRWP): Expanding in the second quarter of 2025, aiming to support 100 individuals and their families. The program provides essential mental health resources and therapy to foster resilience within our community.
Upskill & Get Hired Scholarship Program: This initiative aims to train and place 50 individuals in tech careers including Cybersecurity, DevOps, Cloud Engineering, and AI/ML Mastery. We will also partner with organizations to secure jobs for an additional 150 individuals across various industries, broadening employment opportunities.
New Grant Opportunities: We will partner with PCs for People, MySpark, and local organizations to secure grants for housing, education, and digital equity.
Upcoming Events
We have several exciting events coming up:
Digital Business Equity Graduation: November 15, 2024.
Fundraiser Gala: April 25, 2025. Mark your calendar!
Dashiki Festival 2025 Planning: Stay tuned for updates.
Call to Action: How You Can Help
CACC's success depends on the strength of our community. Here’s how you can support us:
Donate: Your contributions directly fund scholarships, workshops, and outreach programs.
Volunteer: Share your time and expertise to empower others.
Spread the Word: Encourage others to join our mission of empowerment and inclusion.
Thank You to Our Partners
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Alpine Bank, Levitt, Kaiser Permanente, PCs for People, MySpark, Hope Hall, Denver Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, Rose Foundation, Elmar Foundation, and countless others for their unwavering support.
Stay Connected
Follow us on social media and visit our website at www.caccenter.org for the latest updates, success stories, and opportunities to get involved.
Together, we are creating a future of equity, empowerment, and innovation. Let’s make 2025 our most impactful year yet!
Warm regards,
CACC Team