The Knowledge House celebrates its 10th anniversary
The Knowledge House (TKH), a non profit dedicated to strengthening the education-employment pipeline, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Founded in 2014, the primary objective of the Knowledge House is to close the gap in employment in the technology field by providing training in technology for students in underserved or lower-income communities across the South Bronx.
Over the last 10 years, the Knowledge House has seen several program alumni go on to work in the technology field. The organization’s cofounders, members of the board of trustees, and several reputable community members attended a recent anniversary celebration.
According to Kim Marshall, the organization’s spokeswoman, one of the primary goals of TKH is to diversify the technology industry. “Diversifying tech means being able to reach people in underrepresented communities across the country,” Marshall said.
While TKH started its outreach in the Bronx, they have expanded to all five boroughs in New York City as well as other parts of New York state. Through the help of donors and supporters, the Knowledge House has been able to reach other metropolitan areas in the country. In addition to New York, TKH now has locations in Newark, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The new locations were opened in 2021 to help underserved students in those states by giving them the same opportunities to receive technology training.
The Knowledge House CEO and South Bronx native Jerelyn Rodriguez spoke to supporters and staff members who attended the celebration. “We did it, Joe,” Rodriguez said to her cofounder Joe Carano in a callback to Vice President Kamala Harris’s viral video celebrating her victory with President Joe Biden in 2020. Rodriguez told the AmNews she’s both proud of the successes of TKH and excited about what the next 10 years can bring.
“A lot of nonprofits don’t make it to 10 years. So not only have we made it this far, but we’ve accomplished so much,” she said. “We’ve served over 3,000 folks in technology education programs, we’ve changed lives, we’ve partnered with corporations to help close the digital divide, and we’re just excited to keep going.”
In March, Rodriguez was named Pix11’s 2024 Remarkable Woman of the Year. Every year, the network highlights remarkable women who are making a difference in their community. “I think it was all because of Pix11 … I was a finalist for New York. Then I got to join 112 other finalists who are also remarkable women in their cities, and it was great to celebrate everyone’s impact around the country,” Rodriguez said of the award-winning experience.
Rodriguez also told the AmNews how proud she is of the organization’s expansion. “Right now, we have stories from all corners of this country. We can talk about folks who can help their parents because they have a high-paying job or a mom who can take care of her child because now she’s working in tech. So the fact that the impact is spreading is great because it just feels
great to give back.” Rodriguez also told us the next step for the Knowledge House is to open a location in Washington D.C., as well as Silver Springs and Prince George’s County in Maryland.
New York State Assemblymember Amanda Septimo spoke to the attendees about what the Knowledge House means to her. Septimo represents the 84th district, speaking for her home in the South Bronx. “We are celebrating one of the crown jewels of our borough and that is the Knowledge House…What actually makes The Knowledge House special to me is that it is founded from a place of deep love,” Septimo said.
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