Greater Baltimore Urban League Celebrates Project JumpStart Graduates, Highlighting Strong Workforce Outcomes and Responsible Stewardship
TheGreater Baltimore Urban Leaguerecently marked the graduation of its most recentProject JumpStartconstruction training cohort, underscoring continued progress in expanding access to skilled-trade careers while maintaining strong fiscal oversight and accountability.
The graduation is part of the organization’s broader workforce development strategy, delivered in partnership with Project JumpStart, which provides hands-on construction training and industry-aligned instruction. Through this collaboration, participants receive support not only through training completion, but also during the transition into stable, living-wage employment.
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“Workforce development is about more than teaching a skill—it’s about creating real pathways to long-term stability and opportunity,” saidTershea Rice, Interim President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Urban League. “Through partnerships like Project JumpStart, we are combining high-quality training with accountability, wraparound supports, and responsible stewardship of resources.”
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}Across five Project JumpStart cohorts supported by the Urban League, the program has served 110 participants, with 93 graduates, resulting in an 85 percent completion rate. Program outcomes also show an 85 percent employment rate among graduates, reflecting strong alignment between training, employer demand, and participant readiness.
“Project JumpStart represents what’s possible when we invest intentionally in people,” saidKevin Seawright, Board Chair of the Greater Baltimore Urban League. “These graduates are not just completing a program—they are stepping into sustainable careers that strengthen their families and our city.”
The organization’s role extends well beyond the classroom. Participants receive case management, supportive services, career readiness assistance, and direct connections to employers and industry partners—an approach designed to reduce barriers to completion while ensuring public and philanthropic dollars are used effectively.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 90px;}}“As Board Chair, I’m proud to see the Urban League delivering programs that produce real outcomes,” Seawright added. “This is about building a workforce pipeline that is equitable, accountable, and aligned with Baltimore’s future.”
The most recent graduating class included 17 graduates out of 22 enrolled participants, underscoring both the rigor of the program and the commitment required to complete it.
As Baltimore continues to experience significant infrastructure and construction investment, Rice emphasized that programs like Project JumpStart are essential to ensuring local residents are prepared to access emerging opportunities.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 90px;}}“This work is about building people as much as it is about building projects,” Rice said. “When we invest wisely in training, support, and access, we strengthen families, communities, and the local economy.”
The Greater Baltimore Urban League plans to continue expanding workforce training partnerships aligned with regional labor demand, with a continued focus on transparency, accountability, and long-term economic advancement for Baltimore residents.
