Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce President Charles R. Owens, the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board’s Business Engagement Committee, and others to recognize local companies and organizations for instituting successful workforce initiatives. Each of the honored businesses received the BWIB Business Award for Workforce Development Excellence at the Chamber’s Breakfast with the Mayor event held at the Rawlings-Fulton Clubhouse.

Youth Opportunity (YO!) Baltimore hosted a special graduation event this evening for its 2014 class of 93 young adults who chose to pursue alternative education after facing challenges in traditional settings. The event honored 57 students who graduated from the YO! Academy, an alternative high school that operates in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, and 36 young people who earned their Maryland high school diplomas through the city’s two YO! Baltimore centers in East and West Baltimore. 

Youth Opportunity (YO!) Baltimore will host a special graduation event for its 2014 class of 93 young adults who chose to pursue alternative education after facing challenges in traditional settings. Fifty-seven students will graduate from the YO! Academy, an alternative high school that operates in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools. They will share the stage with 36 young people who earned their high school diplomas through the two YO! centers in East and West Baltimore. Ms. Shina Parker, a local entrepreneur and CEO, will deliver the keynote address.

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by Greater Baltimore Committee President and CEO Donald C. Fry, Wells Fargo Regional President Andrew Bertamini, and others to encourage private-sector employers to join the YouthWorks “Hire One Youth” campaign.