I’m Christopher Edwards, a workforce strategist and program director at the intersection of climate equity, clean energy, AI, and community empowerment. As Program Director at the Evolve Foundation, I lead workforce programs for Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs), focusing on wraparound support and employer accountability under CEJA.
Our program achieves an 83% graduation rate, 100% job placement within six months, and an average hourly wage of $25, with some earning up to $49. Less than 1% recidivism shows how sustainable employment breaks the cycle of reentry and rebuilds lives.
With 14+ years across sales, entrepreneurship, and social impact—including founding Illustrious Renovations LLC—I combine entrepreneurial grit and systems thinking to create lasting pathways to employment, especially for system-impacted individuals.
I’m also building AI tools to bridge workforce gaps and enhance equity tracking. Recently, I’ve served as Community Hire Liaison for the Sankofa Wellness Center, connecting local residents to jobs and co-creating a grassroots organization fighting displacement in West Garfield Park.
Let’s connect if you’re working on climate justice, workforce transformation, or AI for social impact.More...