This month’s spotlight belongs to Microsoft! Through our partnership with Microsoft, our Programs, National Strategic Partnerships and Systems-Change teams work is supported by Microsoft Philanthropies led by Linda Nguyen, Community Engagement Lead, Los Angeles.

Thanks to Microsoft's leadership and their philanthropic investments, our team is empowered to do amazing work, leveraging industry expertise, technology tools, training, and resources to increase opportunities in technology for students and transform communities for families. Read more about the work Microsoft powers UNITE-LA to do!

As a leader in technology, Microsoft is investing in the programs team work to bridge the digital divide and empower young people with technology tools and skills. Through Microsoft's investment in UNITE-LA's newly launched (2023) Tech Pathways Academy, powered by Microsoft, for high school students, we served 31 high school students through a nine-week, work-based learning program engaging students with industry professionals, MS technology platforms, tools and activities. The impact of our partnership is validated by the results of our programming with 92 percent of students that completed certificate coursework earning at least one industry validated certificate through Microsoft's LinkedIn Learning platform including:

• 88% of students earned Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIncertification
• 73% of students earned Career Essentials in Software Development by Microsoft and LinkedIncertification
• 35% of students earned Aha! Product Management Professional Certificate

Microsoft Airband is also investing in UNITE-LA's digital equity work through its role as co-convener of the LA DEAL. Microsoft is supporting LA DEAL's efforts to ensure students and families in historically marginalized communities have access to affordable internet and tech devices. LA DEAL has been advancing this goal by:

• Activating community-driven best practices to enroll households in low-adoption areas leveraging FAFSA completion workshops and other direct service programs organized across the County to sign students and parents up for the Affordable Connectivity Program and other broadband plans.
• Developing a case study of promising community-driven broadband adoption practices that could be replicated and serve as a national model for other regions across the country.
• Developing a set of policy recommendations to scale community-driven adoption best practices by working with LA DEAL consortium partners to articulate strategies for increasing adoption.

And lastly, Linda Nguyen, Community Engagement Lead at Microsoft has been our Stewardship Group representative on the K-16 Collaborative, advising on trends in the computer science field and helping us explore opportunities for student-centered career pathways in the field.

We are grateful to Microsoft's commitment!