Talent for Tomorrow: Transforming Youth Futures Through Nonprofit Collaboration in the DMV

In this episode of the We’re Good podcast, the spotlight is on Talent for Tomorrow, a powerful nonprofit alliance transforming the futures of young adults across the Washington, D.C. metro area. This coalition—comprising Genesis Works, Year Up United, New Futures, Spark the Journey, and PerScholas—works collaboratively to provide Opportunity Youth with career training, internships, mentorship, scholarships, and wraparound support, from high school through college, certifications and into careers.

The episode features firsthand insights from Axel Orellana, a program alumnus and now current UDC student, whose success story embodies the initiative's impact. Axel recounts how he discovered Genesis Works in high school and how each organization in the alliance played a pivotal role in guiding him to college and into a computer engineering major. His journey highlights how Talent for Tomorrow turns goals into actionable game plans, especially for students facing barriers to higher education and career access.

Selvon Waldron of Genesys Works and Lia Jones of Capital One, the alliance's founding funder, discuss the complexity and value of the collaboration. They emphasize the important and intentional steps TFT took to align on leadership, funding, and program strategy to meet their stated goal of bridging gaps in racial and economic mobility. Capital One’s involvement since 2018 has provided not just financial backing, but also pro bono branding, volunteerism, and long-term strategic support.

Now serving over 600 students in the DMV area, Talent for Tomorrow is proof that nonprofit collaboration is stronger together providing greater impact and stronger outcomes for the people they serve. This episode is a must-listen for educators, funders, and families looking to empower youth through coordinated, community-driven workforce development programs.