| Do these maps look the same to you? Look closer. |
On the surface, North Philadelphia, where OIC of America was founded, doesn’t look much like Western North Carolina, the area devastated by last year’s Hurricane Helene. Democratic Congressman Dwight Evans represents nearly half of Philadelphians, while Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards represents Western North Carolina. The two are co-sponsors of the LEON Act, introduced this month in the U.S. House of Representatives. Evans’ hard and gritty North Philadelphia district is 53 urban square miles, where more than half of residents are Black. The Cook Political Report ranks it as the most Democratic district in the country. Edwards’ district, by contrast, sprawls across more than 6,000 square miles. More than 82 percent of residents are White, and in 2024 the district went for Trump by nearly 10 points. Physical reminders of last year’s storm are everywhere, from cars still lying in creek beds to bridges not yet rebuilt And yet: The two districts have nearly identical median household incomes and high school graduation rates. That’s the key. That’s why representatives from both sides of the aisle jumped up to co-sponsor the LEON Act, and why—despite the uncommonly divided times we’re living in—we feel bullish about the bill’s prospects. It’s a bipartisan solution to a challenge facing urban, suburban and rural communities in every state. Because it doesn’t matter what color you are or where you live. Opportunities have dwindled everywhere, and the best social service program in the world has always been a job. From North Carolina to North Philadelphia and beyond, everyone deserves a shot to participate fully in today’s economy. When politicians of every stripe figure that out, we’ll heal a lot more than just the landscape.  Louis J. King II President and CEO OIC of America, Inc. |
Last With this month’s introduction of the LEON Act (Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks) in Congress, word spread quickly about the bill and its promise to future-proof communities with a national skills-training system. Media outlets around the country picked up the story, with particular emphasis in Philadelphia and in Western North Carolina, where the bill’s co-sponsors, Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) and Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11), hail from.
In The Philadelphia Tribune, Congressman Evans was quoted as saying: “The LEON Act would help build a national career technical education system that would break down barriers and prepare low-income people with the skills that employers need.”
In Asheville, N.C.’s Urban News, Congressman Edwards was quoted as saying: “Western North Carolina is still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene last fall, and recovery is going to take years. This is in part because we have a shortage of qualified construction workers to help us rebuild. The LEON Act would enable us to quickly train the workers we need to help us build stronger, more resilient communities and economies.”
More than 500 press outlets picked up news of the LEON Act, reaching a potential audience of nearly 130 million people.
Read coverage in The Philadelphia Tribune and The Urban News.
Delaware Valley Alliance Brings Lessons and Opportunity to Central Pennsylvania
This month more than 100 residents joined OIC of America, Tri-County OIC and a roomful of community partners to learn about the Delaware Valley Alliance, and how we can achieve economic mobility while enriching people’s lives, and address a critical need for today’s economy.
Amid a crowd that included nonprofit leaders and returning citizens, voting advocates and individuals on work release, OIC of America President and CEO Louis J. King II talked about the importance of finding not just a new economic path, but a new social one as well.
With deep community connections and partnerships with area institutions, Tri-County OIC, led by Christina Johnson, will take the lead on job training and placement within the Delaware Valley Alliance when work gets underway later this year.
Watch the full community meeting here.
OIC of America Celebrates Juneteenth in Philadelphia
OIC of America celebrated 160 years of Juneteenth with the African American Museum in Philadelphia, where both President and CEO Louis J. King II and OICA adviser Stan Straughter sit on the board of directors. Alongside more than 1,000 attendees, the museum celebrated its 49th anniversary with “Audacious Freedom,” as well as entertainment and exhibitors.
See more photos here.
Partner Highlight: GRID Alternatives Creates Pathways to Clean Energy Jobs
At the intersection of clean energy and workforce development, GRID Alternatives is working to ensure the transition to a green economy drives economic mobility and includes everyone.
GRID is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Oakland, Calif., with offices across several states. For over 20 years, GRID has led national efforts in low-income solar installation, workforce training and clean mobility, with a focus on economic and environmental justice.
“This is about making sure communities most adversely impacted by climate change and environmental injustice are also the first in line for new opportunities,” said Adewale OgunBadejo, Vice President of Workforce Development at GRID.
Read more.
