CEO Updates

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It is a day of celebration, yes, but also a moment of reflection. It asks us not just to look back at what was, but to reckon with what still is—and to dream boldly about what could be.

As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms nearly every industry, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) is leading the way to ensure justice-impacted individuals aren’t left behind. CEO is also pioneering the use of AI to reshape how reentry services are delivered, how staff are supported, and how opportunities are unlocked for thousands of people returning home each year.

Darneicea Day, Site Director of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Los Angeles location, has journeyed down a winding and resilient road to reach her current position.

From the start, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Charlotte’s Site Director, Tiffany Miller, has had a passion for serving those who have been justice-impacted.

On December 13, 2023, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) celebrated two pre-apprenticeship graduations in both Buffalo and New York City. ​​The classes are pathways to high-paying union careers in construction free of cost to justice-impacted individuals.

Today, CEO officially launches Returning Strong, a campaign calling for a new, collective narrative about reentry that rejects the stigma associated with system involvement and instead amplifies the talent, heart and voice of the people we serve all across the country.

We are thrilled to announce that Christopher Watler has been appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President (EVP) of CEO. This promotion is a recognition of the leadership that Chris has displayed at CEO for over six years, along with some new responsibilities added to his portfolio.

What an incredible year it’s been at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)! We are so grateful for your support. Check out CEO’s Impact! to learn more about what we achieved together this year.

The Beloved Benefit, a community impact event that galvanizes the city of Atlanta, aims to inspire positive change through greater economic mobility.

Center for Employment Opportunities is thrilled to be a beneficiary of the 2022 Beloved Benefit in Atlanta! The Beloved Benefit is an annual gathering to support organizations promoting equity and building strong, healthy communities in Atlanta.

Today, CEO was thrilled to host Grow With Google at our Oakland location to announce the expansion of their career readiness program for justice-Impacted communities. CEO will scale digital skills training into our job-readiness programming at all 31 locations.

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and our partners launched a Credible Messenger Initiative (CMI) in 2017 as part of a broader strategy to improve services for justice-involved young adults in CEO's NYC workforce development program. The initiative paired young adult participants with full-time mentors who shared similar lived experiences to build trust and connection and to support them throughout their participation in CEO’s program.