Washington DC — For over a decade, Training Grounds, Inc. (TGI) has transformed the lives of youth, young adults and families within the DMV community through workforce development and youth development programs. For this reason, event co-chairs, Lou Dubin of Redbrick LMD and Vance Gragg of Gragg-Cardona Partners, LLC, will celebrate the accomplishments of TGI during the Training Grounds Gala at The Arc – 1901 Mississipi Ave. SE Washington, DC 20020, 6:00pm-11:00pm.
This event will pay tribute to Training Grounds 2016 Human Servant Award Honorees including Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, Wanda Lockridge of William O. Lockridge Foundation and Deputy Mayor of Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney Snowden. Each year, Training Grounds identifies several pillars whose work has made an undeniable difference in the lives of others. The Human Servant Award has been granted over the past ten years to leaders, such as Marion Barry, Dexter Manley, William O. Lockridge and several others who embody excellence and compassion in their committed service to our communities.
During the Training Grounds Gala guests will also enjoy an art auction and live performances by Brian Lenair, Kenny Allen and Proper Utensils featuring James Funk & Sugar Bear.
In addition, this event will serve as a special 50th birthday tribute to TGI’s Founder and Executive Director, Tom Brown. Tom Brown is a community pioneer and activist, who has positioned Training Grounds to be a hub for workforce related needs. Mr. Brown, along with Marion Barry, co-founded the Ward 8 Workforce Development Council in 2007. He has embedded workplace principals into the Training Grounds teachings that empower participants to use transformational techniques to help them excel through life.
Unlike many community-based organizations, TGI’s unique neighborhood based model establishes its presence directly inside of the neighborhoods. Residents are able to walk out of their front door and into the assistance of the TGI Framework. Training Grounds has empowered neighborhoods where 85% of the program population has had one or more barriers to employment. As a specialist in training and developing returning citizens, TGI is proud to have employed four managers who have collectively served more than 100 years in prison and have been responsible for Training Grounds’ programs and day-to-day worksite operations.
Guest registration and sponsorship opportunities for the Training Grounds Gala are now available online at www.TrainingGroundsDMV.org. To attend this event as press and/or request an interview please contact Jeanette Hordge-Smith.
