The students of our Education and Workforce CLIMB program celebrated the end of their intensive 20-week program earlier this month with a commencement and showcase. While not the first cohort at the Isaacs Center, this is the first group to graduate as part of our new partnership with the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). The program offers training on everything from video to audio and even animation. “It’s a beautiful opportunity,” Xavier, one of the graduates stated. “You get to work on and create a version of yourself that you want to propel into the future.”
The event took place at MNN’s Hudson Yards location. After a brief introduction from MNN’s Chief Program Officer, Sharese Bullock-Bailey, the event was entirely student-run. The MC for the night was graduating student Mel-Asja, who plans to use her new skills to open a YouTube Channel on her religion.
The showcase displayed samples from weeks of work. Clips made with Unreal Engine (the same system used for 2025’s Oscar Animated short, War is Over! and most video games) ranged from fan-made teasers for the late-night TV slot, Toonami, to a dark comedy sketch. The students also produced interviews with local talent and documentaries on topics like dancing and body image issues.
Singer, Si Lie wrapped up the evening by performing a set she produced at MNN.
“This program is really a blessing,” she said afterwards. “These programs are really beneficial because it gives you everything that you’d learn in a college major in 20 weeks, and if you really want to keep having the hands-on experience, they give you the opportunities to get jobs and be in these kinds of spaces.”
You can check out Si Lee’s single, “I Wish” below.