Apr. 27, 2022 12:30p
(WGTD)---A coordinated conglomeration of skills-building and career readiness programs will be moving into the former Brown Bank building in Kenosha’s Uptown area.
The identities of nearly a dozen schools, businesses and non-profits that are involved in the project were unveiled during a presentation held in the building on Tuesday. The event came just a day after the city’s public works committee recommended approval of a $3.8 million renovation contract.
The Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy was the vision of Mayor John Antaramian who wants to create a vehicle to boost access to post-secondary education and good-paying jobs, especially for kids from families with low incomes and young people of color. “That’s why we’re here today,” Antaramian said.
The building will include a Best Buy Teen Tech Center, financed by the Best Buy Foundation, Jockey International and the YMCA.
Other components of the Academy are being provided by Gateway, Parkside, Carthage and Herzing, along with the Mahone Fund, the gener8tor entrepreneurs program and a group called Students Engagement thru Groups and Activities.
YMCA-Kenosha Director Cindy Altergott said that the collaborative component of the building is the best part of the concept. “Together we’ll be able to do so much more than any of us could’ve done individually,” she said.
The Academy is expected to open its doors either later this year or early next year.
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