Economic Development

Education, opportunity, and community.

We help people access jobs, start businesses, and grow wealth locally, in close collaboration with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Invest in economic growth Explore partnerships

HBCU Collaboration

Partnering with the institutions that shape leaders.

Miles College CDC recognizes the vital role Historically Black Colleges and Universities play in shaping future leaders and driving economic development. Through strategic collaborations with local HBCUs, we are creating pathways for students, entrepreneurs, and communities to thrive.

Two students walking on a college campus

HBCU partnership

A volunteer writing on a clipboard outdoors

Hands-on learning

Workforce Training

Skills for high-demand industries.

In partnership with HBCUs, Miles College CDC develops workforce training initiatives that equip students and local residents with the skills needed for high-demand industries. These programs focus on job readiness, technical certifications, and career advancement in fields such as construction, real estate development, financial literacy, and community planning.

By connecting students with real-world experience and professional mentorship, we are preparing the next generation of skilled professionals and leaders.

Student Engagement & Community Impact

Turning classroom learning into real solutions.

Miles College CDC actively involves HBCU students in meaningful community engagement efforts, including affordable housing projects, policy research, and urban planning initiatives. Through service-learning programs, internships, and research collaborations, students gain hands-on experience while contributing to real solutions that impact their communities. Additionally, leadership development workshops and civic engagement opportunities empower students to become advocates for equitable housing and economic justice.

Success Stories

Success stories from our HBCU collaborations.

Workforce Training

Preparing Students for Careers in Affordable Housing

Through our partnership with Miles College, Miles College CDC launched a Workforce Training Academy that provided hands-on experience in real estate development and affordable housing construction. Jamal Carter, a senior studying business administration, enrolled in the program and gained certifications in project management and financial literacy. After completing the training, Jamal secured a full-time position with a local housing development firm, where he now works to expand affordable housing initiatives in Birmingham.

Business Incubator

Empowering Student Entrepreneurs

Miles College CDC's Business Incubator Program, in collaboration with Miles College, provided Kendra Robinson, an aspiring entrepreneur, with the mentorship and funding needed to launch her own real estate consulting firm. With access to legal support, marketing resources, and financial planning workshops, Kendra successfully launched Urban Roots Realty, a firm dedicated to helping first-time homebuyers from underserved communities. Today, she has helped over 50 families secure affordable housing and continues to give back by mentoring other HBCU students.

Student Engagement

Turning Research into Action

A group of students from Miles College worked with Miles College CDC on a Community Housing Impact Study, analyzing systemic barriers to homeownership in Birmingham's historically Black neighborhoods. Their research contributed to policy recommendations that led to the creation of a new down payment assistance program for low-income families. Jessica Wells, one of the student researchers, was inspired by the experience and is now pursuing a career in urban planning to further advocate for equitable housing policies.

Affordable Housing Revitalization

From Classroom to Community

As part of a partnership with Miles College, students in the architecture and engineering programs participated in a Housing Revitalization Project, where they designed and helped renovate abandoned homes in underserved neighborhoods. Malik Johnson, an architecture student, played a key role in drafting new blueprints for energy-efficient homes. His work not only helped restore housing options for local families but also led to an internship with a major urban development firm, where he now specializes in sustainable housing solutions.

These success stories showcase the impact of Miles College CDC's HBCU collaborations: bridging education, workforce development, and community empowerment to create lasting change.

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Service Area

Greater Birmingham, Alabama

Tax Status

501(c)(3) Nonprofit