Message from the Founder
Dear CACC Community,
As we close another incredible year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the progress we’ve made, the lives we’ve touched, and the partnerships we’ve built. From groundbreaking initiatives to transformative programs, CACC continues to empower and uplift communities in Colorado. This newsletter highlights our 2024 accomplishments 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)
Digital Equity Graduation Ceremony
This fall, we celebrated the Digital Equity Training Program Graduation, marking a pivotal moment for 27 small business owners in East Colfax,Montbello and Park Hill. Participants completed hands-on training in website creation, social media management, and digital marketing, gaining tools to thrive in the digital age.
Key Achievements:
Provided laptops, smartphones, and three months of free internet.
Offered three months of ongoing business support through our Business Accelerator team.
Empowered underrepresented communities with practical digital skills to expand their businesses.
Our partnership with PCs for People , Denver Economic Development Opportunity (DEDO),ZICT and Denver Foundation played a critical role in providing affordable devices, ensuring sustainability beyond the program.
Scholarship Announcement: 2025 Cohort Opportunities (UpSkill and Get Hired)
We are thrilled to announce a Scholarship Program for ZICT's Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering, AI/ML Mastery & AWS ML Associate Exam Prep and DevOps Training. Designed to bridge the skills gap and prepare students for six-figure career opportunities, the program includes:
Scholarship Amount: $50,000
Final Fee: $5,500, per person.
Curriculum Focus: From Cloud Architects to Cybersecurity Engineers, the program is tailored to match industry demand.
Lab Access: 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 expanded the Young Tech Innovator Program, reaching over 1,000 students with groundbreaking STEM education. Participants explored:
AI Fundamentals
Cybersecurity
Quantum Computing
Mobile App Development
Cloud Computing
Field Trips to NREL, Denver Airport, and the Nature & Science Museum gave students hands-on exposure to technology in action. 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
Over 8,000 attendees at the Dashiki Day Festival.
3 Cohorts Trained through ZICT, with 30% of graduates promoted or transitioning into new roles.
6,000 individuals served through our community programs.
7 graduates placed in jobs earning $90,000–$120,000.
Partnered with Hope Hall to support housing initiatives and launch 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, with a goal to serve over 1,000 businesses.
Young Tech Innovator Expansion: Partnering with schools to bring STEM education to 2,000+ kids, with a focus on underserved communities.
Fundraiser Gala: Join us on April 25, 2025, for our first CACC Fundraiser Gala. The event will highlight our achievements, showcase success stories, and rally support for our 2025 initiatives.
The Youth Resilience Wellness Program (YRWP) will expand in the second quarter of 2025, aiming to support 100 individuals and their families, providing vital mental health resources and therapy to foster resilience and well-being within our community.
The Upskill & Get Hired Scholarship program aims to train and place 50 individuals in tech careers, including fields like Cybersecurity, DevOps, Cloud Engineering, and AI/ML Mastery while partnering with organizations to secure jobs for an additional 150 individuals across various industries, ensuring broader employment opportunities for our community.
New Grant Opportunities: Partnering with PCs for People, MySpark, and local organizations to secure grants for housing, education, and digital equity.
Upcoming Events
Digital Business Equity Graduation: November 15, 2024.
Fundraiser Gala: April 25, 2025. Save the date!
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: 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