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COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY: POLICY EQUITY FOR ALL

OAKLAND’S BRIDGE TO AI PROGRAM

“Bridge to AI is more than a program—it’s a pathway. At Northeastern, we’re working with East Bay youth to ignite their potential, equipping them with critical AI and tech skills while helping them envision themselves in college and career pathways. This is about transformation—of individuals, families, and entire communities. We’re not just preparing young people for the future, we’re helping them shape it—with tools rooted in ethics, equity, and responsibility. Because building the future means ensuring AI serves everyone, fairly and justly.”  

-Alli Chagi-Starr, Regional Director of Strategic Partnerships, Community to Community Impact Engine, Notheastern University

Support the Next Generation of Innovators and Leaders  

Bridge to AI: Unlocking Future Opportunities

Launching in 2025, the Bridge to AI initiative introduces high school and college students—especially those from underrepresented communities—to the transformative power of artificial intelligence foundations, ethics, tools, and practice.  The program will be part of the Summer Youth Employment Program with paid workshops one day a week for four weeks. 

Our Goals:

  • Equip students with practical coding skills and foundational AI knowledge. 
  • Inspire responsible AI use for social and environmental good. 
  • Create pathways for underrepresented students to enter technology careers. 

Program Focus:

  • Technical Skills: Hands-on training in foundational AI concepts, coding, and practical applications like chatbots and image recognition.  
  • Ethical Foundations: Case studies and discussions on AI bias, fairness, and responsible decision-making. 
  • Mentorship: Students connect with university professors, AI professionals, and peer mentors for guidance and inspiration. 
  • Projects: Participants apply their skills to design AI solutions and present them at a community showcase. 

Buildling Inaugural Partnerships Now

We are seeking sponsors and partners to help us launch this pilot and grow in future years. Both SYEP and Bridge to AI are about more than education—they’re about creating equitable opportunities and empowering East Bay youth to build a brighter future. Your partnership and financial support will: 

  • Provide scholarships to students in need, expanding the program to reach more East Bay youth. 
  • Fund community trainers, program materials, and resources to ensure that every student can succeed. 
  • Help showcase student projects for the broader community. 

Your Support Matters Join Us in Making a Difference 

A small investment to our C2C Impact Engine Fund will make a big difference for the next generation of changemakers, leaders, and innovators. Together, we will create pathways to prosperity and purpose for East Bay youth and positive impact in our communities. 

“Bridge to AI is about more than technology—it’s about empowering students to use AI for good, and to do it ethically. We want to empower a new generation of leaders who are equipped to tackle society’s biggest challenges with innovation, integrity, and an eye for AI’s impact on their communities..”  

–Professor Rasika Bhalerao, Khoury College of Computer Sciences