FALL 2024
Graduation
Ohio
We are so proud of the trainees who have successfully completed our Tech Fundamentals program. Congratulations to the NPower Ohio Fall 2024 Class of Tech Professionals and Change-makers!
Keynote Speaker
Darius Beckham
Senior Policy Aide to City of Dayton Mayor, Jeffrey J. Mims
Darius Beckham is a proud Dayton native and graduate of the University of Dayton where he earned his B.A. in Political Science and Sociology. He began his public service career as an AmeriCorps member with the City of Dayton in the Community Engagement Division and quickly advanced to the position of Legislative Aide to former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.
In 2021, Darius joined former Congressman Tony Hall’s Hall Hunger Initiative as Project Manager where he lobbied for a more equitable food system in the Dayton region and successfully managed the distribution of $100,000 in microgrants to local projects aimed at reducing food insecurity.
Since 2022, Darius has served as Senior Policy Aide to Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims and works tirelessly to plan and execute the Mayor’s key focus of retaining young talent and helping ensure all Daytonians have the ability and opportunity to thrive.
Darius is a 2020 fellow of the New Leaders Council of Southwest Ohio, an alumni of LEAD Ohio’s Leadership Academy, and a graduate of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. He is currently earning his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Dayton.
As a dedicated public servant and a strong believer of investing in people, he gladly serves on various boards including the Omega Community Development Corporation, The Montgomery County Ohio College Promise Program, and Hall Hunger Initiative.
Impact Speaker
Willis Blackshear Jr.State Representative for Ohio, District 38 and State of Ohio, Senator Elect
Willis Blackshear Jr. is currently serving in his second term as State Representative for Ohio’s 38th House District, which includes the City of Dayton, Riverside, and parts of Huber Heights. He is the Senator-elect for Ohio Senate District 6 with his term commencing in January of 2025. Rep. Blackshear serves his hometown the only way he knows how—by working together to find solutions to the issues that matter most to working people and families. He is prioritizing ways to reinvest in area neighborhoods and communities, bring tax dollars back to the district and put more money back in the pockets of Ohio taxpayers. Rep. Blackshear is committed to helping Ohioans achieve the American Dream. A Dayton-area native, Rep. Blackshear formerly served as an outreach specialist at the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office and earned his BA in Political Science from Wright State University in Dayton. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Ohio State.
Alumni Speaker
Charles Brown III
Tech Fundamentals Fall 2023
“NPower has made a huge difference in my life and in the lives of others—it’s an amazing thing to be part of.”
A dedicated IT professional and student, Charles has a passion for technology, education, and community empowerment. He graduated from NPower’s Information Technology program and transitioned from a successful six-year career in sales into the field of information technology.
Currently, Charles works as an IT Support Specialist at Premier Health. He is also pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Cloud Computing at the School of Technology at Western Governors University and currently holds certifications from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and CompTIA.
Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Charles actively contributes to his community. He was featured in The Dayton Daily News for his leadership in a tech learning event aimed at improving digital literacy for Dayton residents. As a volunteer with the Victory Project, a mentoring and personal development program for disengaged young men, Charles spearheaded an initiative to provide professional headshots, enhancing participants’ LinkedIn profiles and job market competitiveness.
In his free time, Charles enjoys analyzing economic trends and exploring financial markets. He is also an avid basketball fan and an investment enthusiast. Charles is passionate about youth development and aims to continue driving initiatives that empower others and foster economic growth.
