Shakira Wilson,  Alumna, comes back to “pay forward’ what “by grace” she received from our Cleveland Job Corps Center so many years ago.  She has agreed to honor our  graduates this upcoming Friday, August 18th, 2023 at commencement.  As our keynote speaker.  A graduate herself back in 2005, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), graduating Summa Cum Laude.  Also, she obtained a Registered Nurse (RN) degree and Certified in Case Management (CCM);  certification obtained.

Now a days, she is pursing her Nurse Practitioner credentials, founded and owns her own Patient-Centered Care Staffing Agency in Mayfield, Ohio.  Owns and operates a Bakery for fun.  Has just purchased her first home, that will house young adults aging out of Foster Care, and is returning to Cleveland Job Corps to offer a partnership for Work Based and Leisure Learning Work engagements with our students. She says that back when “she was trying to figure out how to overcome my life circumstances and become the person my children desperately needed, CJCC allowed her to do both, and for that she is grateful.”

Her counsel to our current students is, reminding them that ” the longest journey begins with the first step taken, and you have taken that step towards your success.  Make sure you know what you want to do in life.  Give it your all, and you will succeed.”  She advises students.