The Step Up Youth Employment Program kicked off its annual employer recruitment event on February 15, 2024, gathering current and prospective employers to learn more about this nationally-recognized program and how they can hire Minneapolis youth for summer 2024 internships. Presenters included Yakasah Weyhee, Step Up Level 2 director; Scott Kosloski, Step Up manager of employment engagement; Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey; Step Up co-chairs Jonathan Weinhagen, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, and R.T. Rybak, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation; and Achieve Twin Cities CEO Danielle Grant. Three of our celebrated Step Up employers participated in a panel facilitated by Jonathan Weinhagen and included Alanna Baker, VP of Digital Partnerships and New Business for Target Corporation; Torrey Lau, Director of Academic Excellence for Reve Academy; and Jake Wollensack, Associate at Wold Architects and Engineers. The event also featured a Step Up alumni panel led by Danielle Grant and featuring four amazing alums, including Nura Bile, Eden Feleke, Efrata Feleke and Simon Noble. Step Up provides work readiness training, paid summer internships and paid online career exploration opportunities for Minneapolis youth (age 14-21) in partnership with over 100 Twin Cities employers. Step Up is a program of the City of Minneapolis with Achieve Twin Cities, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Project for Pride in Living. Learn how you can become a Step Up employer at https://www.achievetwincities.org/stepup.