Oakland Green Jobs Corps Graduation

Congratulations to the inaugural class of the Oakland Green Jobs Corps!

After 8 months of early mornings, classroom learning, hands on training and teambuilding the first class of the Oakland Green Jobs Corps is ready to start building a new, green economy!

We celebrated this historic day with a graduation ceremony emceed by our very own Emily Kirsch and featured Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, Laney College Vice President Elnora Webb and Executive Director of Cypress Mandela Training Center Art Shanks. Oakland Green Jobs Corps graduates Erika Artis, Mary Vanek, John Tafoya and Jason Smith shared their stories from facing barriers to employment to being beacons of leadership for a cleaner, greener and more equitable nation starting right here in Oakland!

Thank you to everyone who helped move the Oakland Green Jobs Corps from an idea into a model for the entire country. And another round of applause for the graduates of the Oakland Green Jobs Corps. We're so proud of you for what you've achieved and what you're going to accomplish.

Learn more about the Oakland Green Jobs Corps.

Here are some pictures of the event: