The Knowledge House

The Mission: The Knowledge House (TKH) builds an education to employment pipeline in under-served neighborhoods by empowering young people with the 21st century skills needed to launch careers or ventures that will have an uplifting impact on their communities. Opportunity: The technology industry is growing twice as fast as any other, with a projected 1.4 million jobs by 2020. At the same time, the unemployment rate in the Bronx is almost twice as high as New York City’s, at 10.6%. With 90% of teens connected to some form of technology (mostly through mobile internet), there is a huge opportunity to create a new jobs pipeline by investing in underutilized talent. Approach: Our three-pronged approach consists of: 1. Developing young talent through our core program, the Innovation Fellowship, where 16-24 year olds prepare for the 21st century workforce through project based learning and completing an apprenticeship at a local technology business. 2. Mobilizing local professionals and entrepreneurs of color to raise digital awareness in their communities. 3. Partnering with community based organizations, education providers, and tech businesses to form a local eco-system leading community innovation and economic development. Innovation Fellowship Results: Spring Fellowship This past spring, TKH launched the inaugural Innovation Fellowship at The POINT Community Development Corporation with 10 Bronxites aged 18-24. With a focus on computer programming, 3D design and printing, digital media and lean startup methodology, we worked with our partners to provide 10 weeks of workshops and mentorship. We also hosted four tech events where over 100 Bronx natives convened to watch demos and learn about coding and lean entrepreneurship. Today we have successfully placed over half of our spring fellows at companies like Mass Ideation, scenyc, and 24/7 Paps.