The first Philly cohort of Resilient Coders graduates in May, and two of its soon-to-be-grads share the apps they built with a focus on bettering society.

"We are a non-traditional transitional employer. Yes, we offer returning citizens sustainable employment, but we don’t just stop there," says General Manager Maurice Q. Jones.

"Sometimes we get too focused on the deficit model in Black communities. But there is an ‘and.’ We can offer basic digital learning and technology training," says Soneyet Muhammad.

Can workforce development spark community revitalization? A new coworking space for tech trainees and alumni launched by Hopeworks may hold the answer.

A new initiative from Philadelphia Youth Network will focus on providing “opportunity youth” (youth ages 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working) with programming that can reconnect them to the workforce.

These organizations with ties to the neighborhoods are putting the city to work, one person at a time.

Private nonprofits like the Sierra Group and JEVS run most of the city-wide disability workforce programs. But should the City of Philadelphia look to New York City's model to expand its own disability workforce development efforts?

In addition to working towards racial equity during the economic recovery, the employment and career panel offered solutions for leaders to better understand their mission and the people they assist.

Guest columnist Tyrone Taylor talks about Reginald Noble Tech's plans to expand its form of Black male engagement and skills-building beyond Delaware.