Communities Selected for Equitable Credential Attainment Cohort

Regional Partnerships Selected to Increase Access to High-Quality Credentials for Adults of Color

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation selected nine communities to participate in the second cohort of a national program to strengthen chamber of commerce partnerships with community colleges and community organizations to increase the number of adult learners of color earning an industry-relevant credential or degree.

Partnerships between chambers of commerce and community colleges have the potential to significantly increase the number of adult learners of color completing high-quality, relevant short-term credentials and degrees. Given the current spotlight on upskilling and the resources being reallocated to fund short-term credentials, now is the time to capitalize on the potential for these partnerships.

Lumina Foundation has provided a grant to jumpstart progress to support the development of these partnerships and increase the number of workers with in-demand credentials and degrees. The ACCE Foundation and American Association of Community Colleges identified a virtual cohort of teams. Each team will comprise a chamber, a community college partner and an organization that directly represents the community.

These organizations will team up with a community college partner and a community partner to identify the barriers to credential attainment and create quick-win solutions to address those challenges. They will join teams from other regions to gain access to national subject matter experts, receive customized technical assistance and engage in peer-to-peer learning activities to create a strategy for longer-term collaboration to build momentum after the grant period ends.

“We are grateful for Lumina Foundation’s continued support for the catalytic leadership chambers of commerce provide in the communities they serve,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Strong cross-sector partnerships are crucial to addressing workforce challenges, building resilient local economies and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.”

The communities participating in the program include:

• Augusta, Georgia
  • Augusta Metro Chamber 
  • Augusta Technical College 
  • Augusta University College of Education & Human Development. 
• Lafayette, Louisiana
  • One Acadiana 
  • South Louisiana Community College 
  • Louisiana Probation & Parole - St. Mary Parish, St. Martin Parish and Iberia Parish
• Memphis, Tennessee
  
  • Greater Memphis Chamber
  • Southwest Tennessee Community College
  • Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis
  • Shelby County Office of Reentry 
• Moore County, North Carolina
  • Moore County Chamber
  • Sandhills Community College 
  • Southern Pines Land & Housing Trust
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  • Partnership Grand Strand | Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
  • Horry Georgetown Technical College 
  • Palmetto Goodwill 
• Odessa, Texas
  • Odessa Chamber of Commerce
  • Odessa College 
  • Workforce Solutions Permian Basin
• Sumter County, Georgia
  • Americus-Sumter County Chamber
  • South Georgia Technical College 
  • Telamon Corporation 
• Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  • Greater Winston-Salem Inc.
  • Forsyth Technical Community College  
  • Goodwill Industries of NWNC
• York County, Pennsylvania
  • York County Economic Alliance 
  • Harrisburg Area Community College 
  • BLOOM Business Empowerment Center