Economic opportunity & workforce pipeline
Crispus Attucks Center
The challenge
Opportunity in the region needed more than an invitation. People needed training, capital access, and employer relationships before they could act on it — inside a nonprofit juggling multiple funding streams at once.
The approach
As Business, Program & Marketing Director (2012–2017), Mike led business development, program strategy, marketing, partnerships, and resource development for Crispus Attucks' grant-funded education, workforce, youth, and entrepreneurship initiatives. He built CNA and phlebotomy training pipelines with a local community college, and created Seed Catalyst, an adult entrepreneurship program with SCORE and a Junior Achievement partner — Business 101 instruction leading to a Shark-Tank-style capstone awarding direct micro-investment for a business concept or essential equipment.
The result
The initiatives he led served more than 800 people a year. Seed Catalyst helped launch 32 businesses. Public visibility for the work was built in part through creative community campaigns — including Wingfest, anchored by a 30-foot inflatable chicken.