News
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Local news outlets cover Xchange’s grand opening. Learn more.
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Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House Attended by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Business Leaders; MRO, Northern Trust, Aon, and Peoples Gas Tap into Local IT Talent
Read Press Release.
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Mayor Johnson announced on Wednesday, May 28th, the latest round of funding provided by city's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. Among the winners was Xchange's newest partner Chef Mychael Bonner of CMB Catering. Chef Bonner will use the funds for the build-out of a new commercial kitchen and cafe inside Xchange. Learn More.
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Recently recognized by Chicago CIO’s Orbie Awards, Xchange Chicago is highlighted as an innovative model for Chicago’s talent from overlooked communities to participate and thrive in the tech-driven economy of tomorrow. Watch Video.
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Chef Mychael Bonner of CMB Catering and Xchange Chicago kicked off the new partnership with 60 guests inside the under-construction building that was temporarily converted into an elegant, if somewhat rustic, dining room. Guests were treated to culinary delights inspired by the season. Lettuces and spring vegetables from the Gary Comer Youth Center’s 1.75 acre youth education garden were featured on the menu. GCYC Culinary Apprentices helped to prepare and serve the dinner under the tutelage of Chef Bonner. Learn More.
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Non-profit apprenticeship program Xchange Chicago is offering its students guaranteed employment with the idea of spurring neighborhood revitalization. Watch Video on NBC5 Chicago.
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As we close out an incredible year, Xchange Chicago celebrates the transformative milestones and partnerships that have brought our vision to life. Learn More.
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On December 5th 2024, Xchange was named a Phase 2 winner in Siegel Family Endowment and the Walton Family Foundation’s $2.2 million Learning Landscapes Challenge! Xchange will receive $200,000 and advance to the Phase 3 incubator. The national challenge began with hundreds of applicants and Xchange has advanced to the finalist round where five unique organizations will compete for one of two $500,000 prizes to implement a learning solution. Learn more.
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The call center will move its existing operations into the tech training hub, which is set to open in Greater Grand Crossing next year. Read Story on Block Club Chicago.
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XChange Chicago, a $20 million tech workforce training hub in Greater Grand Crossing will be opening in January with SDI Presence, an IT consultancy and managed services provider in the Loop, as its anchor tenant.
Xchange plans to create100 jobs in its first year and more than 300 jobs within five years, the company said last month. Read story by Chicago Sun-Times.
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Read Story on Citizen Weekly.
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Xchange Chicago will open in January 2025, leaders announced Monday. SDI Presence, an IT consultancy and managed services provider, will match apprentices will full-time roles. Read article.
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During a press conference to kick off the third annual TechChicago Week, Xchange Chicago announced that SDI Presence, a MBE IT services provider in the Chicagoland area, has signed a lease as anchor tenant at Xchange Chicago’s 28,000-square-foot building located at 7247 S. Chicago Ave. Learn More.
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Strategic Development Lead, Oluseyi Olaleye joined WGN9 with details on how they’re helping South Side community members. Watch Video.
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In the Leading Lights in Tech Apprenticeship Training in 2023 section, Xchange is featured on page 28. Read Paper.
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Listen to interview with WGN Radio (segment begins at 27:00)
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The workforce center will bring 100 jobs to the community in its first year and have an economic impact of about $70 million, leaders said. Read Block Club Chicago article by Atavia Reed.
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May 2023: Project leaders received a $5 million community development grant from the city this month to build Xchange Grand Crossing. Read Block Club Chicago article by Atavia Reed.
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November 2022: Comer Education Campus is one of six finalists for the Pritzker Traubert Foundation $10 million Chicago Prize 2022. Listen to November 14 interview on WBEZ’s Reset with Sasha Ann Simons.
Xchange Chicago’s New $20 Million Training Center Will Prepare Locals For Tech Jobs
Mayor Brandon Johnson and local leaders gathered Monday in Greater Grand Crossing to kick off the third annual TechChicago Week and announce SDI Presence, an IT consultancy and managed services provider, will be the anchor tenant for Xchange Chicago. View event gallery.
Check out this news segment from NBC 5 Chicago.
It’s happening!
Xchange Chicago & SDI Presence welcomed two new training cohorts this spring. Cohort 1 completed an intensive 8-week network technician program, mastering computer fundamentals (hardware, software, maintenance) and progressing to advanced security and systems protocols. They are currently pursuing their CompTIA+ and network certifications, while engaging with diverse project partners (private, public, and social organizations). Cohort 2 completed business analyst training programs. All twelve participants are excited about their new apprenticeship roles at SDI Presence.
Learn More about the next cohort of learners.
2024 Network Technician Apprentices: Marc Franklin, Kiffanie Staples, Marnee Irby, Lonimarie Futrell, Tracy Whitehead Jr., Meseret Yohannes | not pictured: Larry Murphy
Javaughn Brantley
“This is absolutely life changing… the best thing that's ever happened because having that professional development and growth in that short amount of time is an invaluable experience. Amazing program & shout out to SDI for taking a shot on a bunch of random people that they had never met before.”
DeVon Favors
“It's eight weeks. It was very, very fast. A lot of life happened within those eight weeks. I’m beyond appreciative of the partnerships, not just with my student coworkers, but also the partnerships that I'm going to be introduced to — very, very appreciative of this amazing opportunity.”
