OIC Philadelphia
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Ready for your next opportunity? Then you’re ready for OIC Philadelphia. The Reverend Sullivan--who marched with the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center--or OIC--is dedicated to opening opportunities for all members of the community, helping people everywhere get the skills they need to get good jobs and advance in their careers. Our mission is to assist the unemployed, the underemployed, the homeless, and disadvantaged youth and adults to achieve self-sufficiency and empowerment, primarily through education, training, job placement, and through supportive human services, housing and economic development.Philadelphia OIC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 by the late Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, who was an internationally-recognized advocate for civil and economic rights for all. and Reverend Jesse Jackson--believed that jobs were the key to the economic development and true empowerment. The creation of OIC was his response to the lack of employment opportunities and job-training programs in the community. And 50 years later, our mission is as vitally important as ever. The Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, in it’s recently issued “Help Wanted: Knowledge Workers Needed” publication, reported that a staggering 52% of working age adults are at or below basic literacy levels. The 2011 American Community Survey estimate that 37% of Philadelphians did not graduate from high school and 26.7% live at or below the Federal Poverty line. Since its inception, Philadelphia OIC has been at the forefront of addressing these kinds of issues. Most recently, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia’s Chief Innovation Officer Adel Ebeid acknowledged OIC as a managing partner of the Freedom Rings Partnership and KEYSPOT designee. KEYSPOT is a citywide initiative of the Freedom Rings Partnership that brings free Internet access and computer training to all Philadelphians in a continuing effort to bridge the digital divide that exists in so many neighborhoods. OIC is one of only two designees that offer mobile KEYSPOT services through our unique Neighborhood Opportunities through Mobile Accessible Destinations (NOMAD) (link to Computer skills page) program, which provides mobile computer training to Philadelphians who are technologically disadvantaged, underemployed or unemployed. It’s one more example of how we continue to evolve, always looking for new opportunities to serve and advance the interests of all members of the community.
🔥 Chef’n it up at OIC Philadelphia! 👨🏾🍳👩🏾🍳
From salmon sizzling on the stove to delicious sides coming together, our Culinary Arts students are putting their skills to work in the kitchen. But this is about more than preparing a great meal—it’s about building skills, confidence, and pathways to careers and entrepreneurship in Philadelphia’s food industry.
And soon, we’re bringing that culinary talent to the table. 🍽️
On October 28th, we are bringing back A Taste of OIC, an evening celebrating the Culinary Arts alumni and food entrepreneurs who have taken their training, passion, and big ideas beyond the OIC kitchen.
📅 Wednesday, October 28
⏰ 5–9 PM
📍 Billy Penn Studios
Come taste the impact of OIC Philadelphia—one bite at a time.
A Taste of OIC: Where training meets talent, and talent becomes opportunity.
09/28/2026
From an idea to a product in the hands—and on the plates—of customers! 🧂
Over the weekend, OIC Philadelphia Food Entrepreneurship Program participant Alkeria Edwards hosted her first pop-up event for Keria Soul Blend, her growing line of seasonings.
Guests had the opportunity to purchase her seasonings and, most importantly, taste them in action! Alkeria served food samples featuring Keria Soul Blend on a variety of meats and dishes, giving attendees a firsthand experience of the flavors behind her brand.
The pop-up was a great success and an exciting milestone in Alkeria’s entrepreneurial journey. This is what our Food Entrepreneurship Program is all about—helping aspiring entrepreneurs take their ideas beyond the classroom and turn them into real products, experiences, and businesses.
Congratulations, Alkeria! We look forward to watching Keria Soul Blend continue to grow and one day find its way onto shelves and into kitchens throughout the region.
09/28/2026
This morning, OIC Philadelphia President & CEO Sheila Ireland joined fellow members of Philadelphia City Council’s Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies for an important hearing focused on access and economic opportunity across our city.
During the hearing, Sheila and fellow committee members heard testimony from organizations and leaders on the impact of DEI policies and approaches to strengthen opportunities for minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses, helping to level the playing field and ensure more Philadelphians have a seat at the table.
These conversations closely align with OIC Philadelphia’s more than 60-year legacy of breaking down barriers and creating pathways to education, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility.
We are proud to see Sheila bring her workforce development experience and OIC Philadelphia’s perspective to this important citywide conversation about creating greater access and economic opportunity for all Philadelphians.
09/28/2026
A good job can create stability. But is employment alone enough to build long-term wealth?
In the latest installment of The Opportunity Lens, OIC Philadelphia President & CEO Sheila Ireland explores why the workforce development conversation must extend beyond employment and income to include ownership and asset creation.
“Employment creates income. Ownership creates assets. Philadelphia needs both.”
From closing Philadelphia’s business ownership gap to creating stronger pathways for aspiring entrepreneurs, Sheila examines what it takes to move people from workforce to wealth, and why entrepreneurship must be supported by more than encouragement. It requires access to capital, customers, mentorship, markets, and a strong ecosystem.
Through initiatives like OIC Philadelphia’s Food Entrepreneurship Program, we’re beginning to build those pathways from skill to enterprise and enterprise to ownership.
What would it look like if workforce development measured not only how much people earn, but also what they have the opportunity to build and own?
🔗 Read “The Opportunity Lens, Part Two: From Workforce to Wealth” on the OIC Philadelphia blog. https://oicphila.org/the-opportunity-lens-part-two-from-workforce-to-wealth/
09/23/2026
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the newest members of the OIC Philadelphia Board of Directors— David W. Brown and Glenn D. Bryan🎉
David W. Brown serves as Executive Director for Community Impact and Civic Engagement at Temple University, where he leads efforts to strengthen partnerships between the university and the surrounding community. An ordained minister, educator, and communications leader, he has spent decades advancing equity, nonprofit leadership, workforce development, and civic engagement throughout Philadelphia and beyond.
Glenn D. Bryan serves as Assistant Vice President and Director of Community Relations for the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine, where he works closely with neighborhood organizations, civic leaders, and government partners to expand economic opportunity and community development. His career has been defined by a commitment to creating meaningful partnerships that improve the lives of Philadelphia residents.
We are excited to welcome both of these accomplished leaders to the OIC Philadelphia family. Their experience, vision, and dedication to strengthening communities will be invaluable as we continue creating pathways to education, employment, and economic mobility.
Welcome to OIC Philadelphia! 💙
09/21/2026
🍽️ From an idea to a successful pop-up—and one step closer to taking Margaret’s House on the road!
OIC Philadelphia Food Entrepreneurship Program participant Jasmin Oliver recently hosted her first Margaret’s House Pop-Up Tasting right here at OIC Philadelphia, and it was a success! 🎉
This milestone is a reflection of Jasmin’s hard work and determination, as well as the community of people and organizations who have invested their **time, expertise, advice, advocacy, and encouragement** to help her grow as an entrepreneur. To everyone who has poured into Jasmin and her vision along the way, thank you.
A special shoutout to Delilah Winder, Executive Director of OIC Philadelphia’s Culinary Arts program, whose mentorship and guidance continue to help Jasmin turn her passion into a plan.
Through OIC Philadelphia’s Food Entrepreneurship Program, aspiring entrepreneurs like Jasmin gain the knowledge, mentorship, and hands-on experiences needed to move their businesses forward—from developing an idea to putting it in front of real customers.
And Jasmin’s vision is just getting started. 🚀 Her goal is to eventually launch a Margaret’s House mobile food truck, taking the flavors, story, and experience of Margaret’s House on the road.
We’re proud of how far she has come, excited about where she’s headed, and grateful to everyone helping her get there.
Congratulations, Jasmin—the road ahead is just beginning!🍴🚚
09/18/2026
🎤 From the studio to the Block Party stage!
Our OIC Digital Media alumni had the incredible opportunity to hit the stage alongside Philly’s own Philly Freeway at our 4th Annual Alumni & Community Block Party—and they showed OUT! 🎶
A special thank you to Freeway for his continued partnership with OIC Philadelphia through FREEDOMTHINKERSACADEMY and for helping create opportunities that expose the next generation of creatives to the possibilities within media, music, and production.
And we’re just getting started. 👀
This October, OIC Philadelphia is launching our newly revamped 8-week Audio-Visual Technician Program, preparing learners for careers in AV, broadcast, and production. Through hands-on, industry-informed training, participants will build practical technical skills while receiving career support to help them transition into employment.
🎥 Ready to turn your interest in audio and visual production into career-ready skills?
Inquire today and get ready for our October cohort! Visit oicphila.org
🍝 Practice makes perfect—and our Culinary Arts participants are putting in the work!
From prepping ingredients to perfecting their pasta dishes, our participants were hard at work in the kitchen sharpening their skills, building confidence, and turning hands-on training into career-ready experience. 👩🏾🍳👨🏾🍳
Think you have what it takes to step into the kitchen? Our next Culinary Arts cohort starts this November!
🔥 Learn. Cook. Grow. Build your career.
🔗 Visit oicphila.org to learn more and enroll today!
09/15/2026
A major investment in a cleaner, more sustainable future for Philadelphia!☀️
OIC Philadelphia is grateful to State Rep. Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta for presenting our organization with a $500,000 grant through the Clean Energy Capital Initiative🎉
This investment will support the installation of solar panels at OIC Philadelphia and advance our commitment to sustainability, clean energy, and creating greater opportunities for the communities we serve.
Thank you for investing in OIC Philadelphia and the future of our city!
09/15/2026
🚀 Your next career move could start this fall at OIC Philadelphia!
We’re NOW ENROLLING for two hands-on training programs designed to help you build real-world skills and take the next step toward an in-demand career.
💻 Tech Bridge | Starts September 28
Our 3-week program prepares participants for entry-level IT Support careers while building computer hardware and software skills and working toward Cisco certifications.
➡️ Career possibilities include IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Desktop Support Technician, Computer Support Specialist, and more.
🎥 Audio-Visual Technician Program | Starts October 12
Spend 8 weeks gaining hands-on skills for careers in audio, video, broadcast, live events, and production.
➡️ Career possibilities include AV Technician, Production Assistant, Audio Technician, Broadcast Technician, Event AV Support, and more.
Whether you see yourself behind a computer or behind the scenes, OIC Philadelphia can help you build the skills to get started.
🔥 Enrollment is happening NOW—don’t wait to secure your spot!
🔗 visit oicphila.org to learn more and apply today.
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1231 N Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
19122
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 4pm |
| Friday | 8am - 4pm |
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