We are thrilled to announce that Momentum has received $117,500 from the City of Birmingham’s BOLD grant to launch a workforce development initiative for women called Momentum Works. This funding is in addition to seed funding from The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Milo’s Tea, and Protective Life. The grant will allow Momentum to move forward with a pilot year of evidence-based programming to advance economic opportunity for 50 historically-marginalized women in the Birmingham community.
“Momentum has 20 years of experience advancing women in leadership. The Momentum Works program allows us to extend our proven process to cohort(s) of women who would most likely never have an opportunity to receive this level of professional development and life coaching,” says Momentum CEO April Benetollo. “We are so grateful that the City of Birmingham shares our vision to invest in women.”
Funding was allocated across six categories: small businesses; minority-, women-, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs); workforce development; overcoming barriers; Birmingham’s neighborhoods; and data-driven Innovation.
“I am thrilled to continue funding local organizations through the BOLD program who work diligently to support our residents with innovative programming and resources,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “An investment in these organizations is an investment in the future of Birmingham.”
The Momentum Works program will serve two cohorts of 25 women each in 2024. The program is comprised of six sessions facilitated Momentum coaches Kathy Boswell and Tonya Allen Jones. Session topics include strength assessments, confidence, goal-setting, negotiation, and time management, among others.
In addition to program sessions, participants will have the opportunity to be paired with a mentor from Momentum’s extensive network of women leaders. Momentum plans to work with mission partners like Creed 63, Woodlawn United, the Birmingham Business Alliance, Bronze Valley, Birmingham Prosper, and others to identify participants for the program. The first cohort is expected to launch in April of 2024.
For more information, contact Momentum’s Statewide Director of Programs Andrea McCaskey.
