Photo: Andrew Nelles

In today's climate, it has proven difficult for black millennials to find employment after graduation. Despite doing everything we were told to do (like graduating from college), becoming a part of the workforce can be a difficult mission. But one program aims to address those gaps.

Georgetown University conducted a study and determined that "the U.S. could face a shortfall of more than 10 million workers with the postsecondary education and training needed to fill the jobs of the future." According to Georgetown University Professor Anthony P. Carnevale, "this means we will need to move a minimum of nearly 4 million African American and Hispanic students on to postsecondary success." The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has taken on the issue with a new grant program. It announced today that through their Career Pathways Initiative (CPI), 24 colleges and universities will receive five-year grants totaling $35.3 million for programs meant to improve their graduates employment outcomes.

With help from the Lilly Endowment Inc., CPI helps certain historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly black institutions (PBIs) by implementing career readiness for the 54,000 enrolled students through specialized academic programs, industry partnerships, internships for students, specialty certifications, faculty development and more.

“CPI will help ensure our graduates are prepared for and are hired into high-paying 21st-century jobs," said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, "With strong CPI results, we will be able to make the case to others to invest in a new model – one that enables minority and low-income students by giving them the knowledge and skills to be competitive in the global marketplace.”

Some of the schools participating include Tennessee State University, Clark Atlanta University, Dillard University and Morehouse College. For a full list of schools, you can check here.

The work that the UNCF is doing with help from the Lily Endowment Inc. comes at a perfect time, as the future of America's job market is questionable for many.

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