This year, Genesys Works is honored to receive Bank of America’s sixth-ever Neighborhood Builder’s grant in the Twin Cities. Each year, the grant is awarded to one local nonprofit who is doing an exceptional job of addressing issues of economic mobility in our community. The award encompasses a $200,000 unrestricted grant, a year of leadership training for our Executive Director Karen Marben and an Emerging Leader – selected to be our Program Director Mai Youa Moua – and an opportunity to access capital and a network of peer organizations across the United States. Previous awardees include the City of Lakes Community Land Trust, EMERGE, Second Harvest Heartland, College Possible, and the Northside Achievement Zone. We are honored to be a part of such a prestigious group of organizations!

With this grant, Genesys Works Twin Cities will continue to provide pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. As we celebrate 10 years in the Twin Cities, our program will continue to evolve and grow. With this support, we will have the opportunity to provide more career and professional development support for our students as they strive for career success and economic self-sufficiency.

To present the  award, Bank of America hosted a breakfast celebration event at the Science Museum of Minnesota on Tuesday, October 16th. Attendees included Genesys Works staff, including Executive Director Karen Marben, and representatives from Bank of America, including Minneapolis-St. Paul Market President Katie Simpson, and guests of each organization. The event opened with remarks from Katie Simpson and Karen Marben and followed with a panel of five individuals, moderated by our Board Chair Mary Lynne Perushek, CIO of corporate partner M.A. Mortenson Company. These individuals came from a variety of sectors involved with Genesys Works – Dionne Griffin Alkamooneh (Twin Cities Board Member and Alumnus), Julie Vo McConnell (Program Coordinator and Alumna), Dorene Brookins (School Partner Representative of Johnson Aerospace and Engineering High School), Meylani McCorvey (Alumna and current Talent Development Pipeline student), and John Pelant (CIO of corporate partner Carlson Wagonlit Travel). Thank you to all who attended to celebrate this momentous occasion!