Comcast Logo
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Comcast Philadelphia & New Jersey

  • About
  • Contact
  • Careers
Group of people posing for a photo

Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation Awards Philadelphia OIC Workforce Academy $50,000 to Support Digital Media Production Program

February 19, 2019

Philadelphia OIC enjoys a longstanding partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation aimed at tackling the digital divide in Philadelphia by teaching digital literacy skills and exposing residents to digital resources. In this spirit, Comcast recently committed to a second-year investment of $50,000 to support the Philadelphia OIC Workforce Academy (OICWA) Digital Media Program.

In April 2018, OICWA launched a Digital Filmmaking Program in partnership with Big Picture Alliance, an apprentice program created to engage, educate and empower youth through project-based hands on learning. The program develops digital media literacy skills including screenwriting, video, audio and editing and expanding their learning skills in creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. Throughout the process, students gain “real-world” experience, including presenting their work to industry professionals at film and television studios and hosting public screenings and broadcasts.

To date, 20 OICWA students participated in over 100 hours of digital media instruction, resulting in improved academic performance and engagement and four paid summer internships. This grant will expose 130 students to digital literacy workshops where they will be introduced to digital media concepts, skills and career pathways. Additionally, proceeds from the grant will create a new digital media lab where students will gain hands-on-training with industry standard video production equipment and Adobe editing software.

“Comcast is proud to continue supporting Philadelphia OIC’s efforts to provide Philadelphians with the skills they need to be successful in today’s digital economy,” said Robert F. Smith, Regional Vice President of Community Impact, Comcast. “Our longstanding partnership in the areas of workforce development and digital literacy and inclusion has helped connect underserved communities to the crucial technology and training needed to make real progress in reducing the digital divide.”

Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation seeks to invest in and provide charitable support to nonprofit organizations and programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on the communities it serves; programs that align with the Foundation’s mission to empower communities to thrive by helping to provide access to technology, relevant digital skills and training, and inspiring volunteerism and service.

“Comcast is always at the table when we are discussing strategies to arm our youth and young adults with the digital literacy skills that they need to be successful in life,” said Aisha Dennis, M.Ed., Executive Director of Philadelphia OIC Workforce Academy and Vice President of Education, Philadelphia OIC. “We benchmarked our students’ performance before their engagement in the Digital Filmmaking program and post, and they’ve all made substantial measurable gains in their 21st-century skills development – and Comcast’s investment in this program made it all possible.”

“The transformation we have seen in our OIC Workforce Academy students is a testament to the kind of project-based, hands-on, and applied learning that digital media arts provide,” said Aleks Martray, Executive Director, Big Picture Alliance. “Not only have students shown improvements in their academics and engagement, but they’ve developed key creative and technical skills needed to navigate the field of film and media. Comcast’s investment has been essential to achieving this impact.”

In October 2018, the students presented their films to an audience of 100 people at the Prince Theater.  OICWA students are currently working on a documentary about the history and future of OIC, told through the students’ and staff’s perspectives.

“A Little Love” is a short documentary that explores how Philadelphia OIC Workforce Academy students carry on the legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, who founded Opportunities Industrialization Center in 1964. This project trains and exercises students’ research and interview skills as they interview staff and community elders and explore connections between this historical legacy and their aspirations for the future. The film will be completed in May 2019 followed by a public screening.

Filed Under: Community Investment
Tagged With: Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, Community Impact, Community Investment, digital literacy, Digital Media Program, Grant, Philadelphia OIC, Workforce Academy

Community Investment

How Two Local Nonprofits Are Working with Comcast to Support Immigrants

January 31, 2023

The pandemic has exacerbated our city’s digital divide. This is especially true for Philadelphia’s immigrant communities, which are often at a disadvantage when … Read More...

Customer Experience

Rural technician

Comcast and Hopewell Township Partner to Connect Residents, Businesses

January 24, 2023

Comcast has partnered with the Hopewell Township Committee to expand our network into unserved areas of Hopewell Township, NJ, ensuring the availability of … Read More...

Comcast Business

Comcast Business Completes $2 Million Fiber Broadband Expansion to Philadelphia’s Food Distribution Center

September 15, 2022

Comcast Business today announced the completion of a $2 million fiber network expansion to serve Philadelphia's Food Distribution Center. Located around Packer … Read More...

Events

A member of the armed forces holds an American flag.

A Veterans Day Special Salute – 200 American Flags Retired

November 19, 2019

Comcast is committed to supporting veterans and the broader military community – both inside the company and out. One example is our Veterans Network Employee … Read More...

Terms of Service. Privacy Policy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Copyright © 2023 Comcast Corporation. All rights reserved.

Comcast Logo

This site uses cookies to enable your digital experience. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy.

I agree
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo