Negotiation Works Supports Urban Ed., Inc.

“Creating hope and opportunity through IT” – that’s the motto of Urban Ed, Inc., a technology educational program in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C’s Ward 8, and Negotiation Work’s latest exciting new partnership.

UE teaches real, usable IT skills as well as provides training so participants can get certifications in cloud computing, IT security, and more. The program has an 80 percent job placement rate, with an average starting salary of more than $58,000. Since their launch more than 20 years ago they have served over 6,300 children, youth, and adults, providing over 985,300 hours of technical, career, business and educational skills enhancements.

Managing Director of UE Violet Browne said, “Negotiation Works has truly helped our students negotiate and communicate better, and opened their eyes to new strategies both professionally and personally.” She added that the goal of partnering with NW was to help their students gain additional skills to get better pay, promotions, and overall equity on the job.

 “The Negotiation Works course has been a tremendous addition to the launch of our new summer IT training program for both youth and adults, and I’m excited for an ongoing partnership,” added Roxanne Williams, president of UE.

Urban Ed students role play during the Negotiation Works class this summer. 

NW taught two cohorts of students at UE this summer, with a focus on older teens and young adults. And thanks to a grant from the DC Office of the Attorney General “Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Violence Prevention Program”  in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation we were not only able to provide classes but were also able to give monetary gifts to all participants to support their efforts to further their education. This unique program, a first for NW, has great potential for the organization in the future as we consider new and better ways to support the communities we engage.

NW’s talented and experienced instructors, Mike Jobbins, Jayme Epstein, and Susan Borke were instrumental in helping these UE participants of all ages learn key skills in negotiation and conflict management that they can use for the future. 

“It is great to see such a diversity of participants! Some people were completely new to the UE program and others have taken many courses. We have a large age range, and the participants make different and interesting contributions. It is great to see then working together and supporting each other,” Susan said. 

Jayme said, “It was an honor to teach at Urban Ed for the first time this summer. I so appreciated the enthusiasm with which the participants engaged and the insights they shared.”