WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 16, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. and the Community Equity Empowerment Partnerships Urban Leadership Academy (CEEP-ULA) today announced a strategic alliance that will bring more technology to classrooms in the nations capital and assist todays young people in their efforts to become tomorrows leaders in technology and in their community. As part of this alliance, Microsoft is providing Office XP, the FrontPage® Web site creation and management tool, Encarta® Africana, and Microsoft® Certified Support Center (MCSC) Resource Kits for 50 workstations at Ballou Senior High School, designated by Washington Mayor Anthony Williams as one of two model technology education schools in the city. The software donation will assist CEEP-ULA in providing 200 students with character and leadership development and Microsoft technology training during the 2001 school year. This is a 50 percent increase from last year in the number of students eligible to take the CEEP-ULAs career orientation course.
CEEP is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization committed to excellence in education through technology and leadership development. The CEEP-Urban Leadership Academy was initiated during the fall 2000 school year at Ballou Senior High School.
Barbara Williams-Skinner, the organizations co-founder and board of directors chair; Kevin Williams, president and co-founder of CEEP; and Corey Griffin, contracts manager at Microsoft, announced the alliance this afternoon at a special event at Ballou Senior High School. City officials, community leaders and summer school technology students attended the announcement.
“When Microsoft learned of the CEEP-ULA and its school-to-careers program, we were eager to help and work with the organization,”
Griffin said.
“The software will provide Ballou students with additional IT resources, and our alliance with CEEP will prepare students for greater employment opportunities in the technology industry and beyond.”
“I applaud Microsoft for its commitment to the community and assistance in preparing a 21st-century work force,”
Williams-Skinner said.
“This Microsoft-CEEP-ULA alliance offers a comprehensive approach to equipping students today with technical skills, job readiness, life skills and leadership development to help ensure that they become exemplary employees in the future.”
Also announced today was the collaboration between Microsoft and CEEP-ULA to produce a Microsoft certification CD-ROM that will include an introductory segment on leadership and character development skills, an integral part of CEEPs training curriculum. In addition, Microsoft will assist in developing, launching and maintaining CEEPs Web site and support the expansion of the education initiative to other local public schools.
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