Project Ready is a pillar educational program of the National Urban League designed to prepare African Americans and other historically underserved high school youth for college and careers. 

Project Ready is a high school retention and college access program designed to help make our Hampton Roads high school students more competitive in the global marketplace. The program builds rewarding relationships, explores college and career pathways, teaches work and school readiness, instills cultural awareness and provides financial education to prepare students for college, career and life. Our children are tomorrow’s leaders, and each deserves all the necessary tools to thrive and succeed.

PROJECT READY CO-CHAIRS

Co-stars of the NBC sitcom “A Different World,” Darryl M. Bell and Charnele Brown serve as Co-Chairs to lend their voices and talents to the Urban League of Hampton Roads inaugural 2021-2022 Project Ready Program.

A different world

Co-Chairs

Special thanks to our Project Ready Co-Chairs Darryl Bell and Charnele Brown from NBC’s A Different World.

2022 YOUTH SUMMIT
Our students attended the National Urban League’s, 2022 National Youth Summit at the University of Maryland, College Park. The Summit is the culminating event for Project Ready sites from across the nation! Check out these highlights.

PROJECT READY 
Find out more about the Project Ready program and hear from Co-Chairs Darryl Bell and Charnele Brown from NBC’s A Different World.

2022-2023 SESSION SCHEDULE

September
Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

October
Self-Empowerment

November
Intentional Direction

December
Don’t Get Finessed

January
Perseverence

February
Who’s History? My History

March
Maintain The Bag

April
The Next Step (College Exploration)

May
“We Outside” (For the Community)

Summer Sessions 2023
Your Network Determines Your Net Worth (June, July, August)

PROJECT READY PARTNER

Next Steps to Success

2020-2021
VIRTUAL SESSION ARCHIVES

You can view the archives of the last year’s Project Ready virtual sessions.

READY FOR SUCCESS

2021-2022 Project Ready by the Numbers:

  • Over $300,000 invested in the program courtesy of funding support from Hampton Roads Community Foundation and Truist Bank
  • Monthly virtual educational and skill-building sessions
  • Students enrolled from local schools
  • Summer internship opportunities at Hampton Roads area businesses
  • 25 community partners and growing

Expected Outcomes:

  • Minority youth inspired for success in college, career, and life.
  • Increased self-esteem, improved academic performance, strengthened knowledge of cultural history, and gainful employment.
  • Strong community partnerships to ensure long-term program and student success.

  Want to find out more?
Have questions? Contact the Project Ready team today.

Truist
Workforce Council
National_Urban_League
Next Steps to Success

Our children are tomorrow’s leaders, and deserve all the necessary tools to thrive and succeed.