Invest in Success: Join Our Network of Employer Partners

As we strive to transform lives and build brighter futures, we recognize the immense value that partnerships with forward-thinking employers like you can bring to our mission.

By becoming an employer partner with us, you not only support our mission to uplift young Black men aged 16 to 24, but you also gain unique advantages for your organization. It's a win-win situation that fosters positive change and drives meaningful impact in our community.

Getting Started

At Durham Success Summit, we want to ensure a seamless and successful partnership between you and our Scholars. Our process begins with an initial conversation to understand your organization's needs and goals. We then carefully assess the skills, experiences, and interests of our Scholars to identify the best possible match for your organization. 

Submit Employer Interest Form to Schedule A Call! How The Hiring Process Works

SOME OF OUR RECENT EMPLOYER PARTNERS

BENEFITS TO EMPLOYERS

All the hiring assistance you need

Access to a talented pool of candidates

By becoming an employer partner, you gain access to a pool of resilient, motivated, and skilled individuals who have successfully completed our rigorous programs. These young men bring unique perspectives and talents that can contribute to the success of your organization.

Enhanced professional development

DSS provides preliminary skills training to our alums, ensuring they possess the necessary competencies to excel in their roles. This reduces the need for additional training and accelerates their integration into your team.

Ongoing support and coaching for your new hire

As an employer partner, you'll receive dedicated support from a DSS Success Coach. Our coach will work closely with your organization and provide extra coaching to our alums, ensuring a seamless transition into their roles and continued success in your workplace.

Employee Engagement and Volunteer Opportunities

Our partnerships go beyond the traditional employer-employee relationship. As an employer partner, you'll have the chance to engage your employees in meaningful ways, such as participating in mentoring programs, volunteering for mock interviews, and attending networking events. These opportunities foster employee engagement, strengthen team bonds, and highlight your organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Reduced administrative burden in the hiring process

We understand that administrative tasks can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.


By partnering with DSS, you gain the advantage of reduced administrative burden, allowing you to focus on your core business activities, while we handle the necessary coordination and support.

Opportunity for Work Opportunity Tax Credit



As a bonus, employer partners may be eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax credit provides a financial incentive to organizations committed to hiring individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, further enhancing your organization's bottom line.

Through our partnership with Fidelity Investments, we didn't just connect alums to job opportunities; we forged a deep and meaningful relationship. Our Scholars had the unique opportunity to visit Fidelity's offices, meet executives and employees, and participate in networking events. Fidelity even went the extra mile by donating equipment and furniture to our Center, creating a comfortable Scholar lounge.


Together, we demonstrated the power of collaboration and created a strong support system for our alums.

How the employer matching process works

  • 1. Initial Phone Call / Meeting

    We begin by scheduling an initial phone call or meeting with you and our team at DSS. This meeting is a crucial step to understand your organization's hiring goals, needs, and values. We are committed to aligning our partnership with your objectives to create a mutually beneficial relationship that meets the needs of both your organization and our  Summit Scholars.

  • 2. Site visits

    To foster a deeper understanding of your organization's culture and work environment, we invite you to host us for a site visit at your office. This visit allows us to gain insights into your operational processes and facilitates a better match between our talented Scholars and your team. By experiencing your organization firsthand, we can ensure that our candidates are well-suited to contribute meaningfully to your workplace.

  • 3. Candidate assessment

    Through this assessment, we evaluate our Scholars' skills, experience, and potential fit with your organization's needs. This ensures that we provide you with well-prepared and diligent candidates who are ready to make a positive impact from day one.

  • 4. Matching

    After the training, we move onto our  matching process. We take into consideration your organization's values, goals, and preferences, along with the skills and aspirations of our Scholars. Our team carefully analyzes the information gathered during the initial stages, aiming to create meaningful and long-term matches between employers and alums.

  • 5. Coaching and ongoing support

    Once the match is made, our commitment remains steadfast. Our Success Coaches provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the Scholar's employment journey. By facilitating effective communication and addressing any challenges that arise, our coaches ensure both the Scholar and the employer are set up for continued growth and mutual success.

Employer Commitments

To create a meaningful and enduring partnership, we ask employers to make the following commitments:


  • Attend one mandatory training session. We ask that the person attending this training has supervisory responsibilities for this role.


  • Complete a questionnaire to help us match you with a Scholar who aligns with your organization's values and goals.


  • Complete three assessments of the Scholar over the course of their employment, providing valuable feedback to support their growth.


  • Host DSS for one site visit to strengthen our connection and ensure a positive and productive partnership.


  • Engage in bi-weekly communication with DSS, promoting ongoing collaboration, and enabling us to provide any necessary support.


By fulfilling these commitments, you contribute to the personal and professional development of our Success Summit Scholars, create diverse and inclusive workplaces, and pave the way for a brighter future for young Black men in Durham.

HIRE DURHAM'S YOUTH

Why companies believe in us

"Calling the ability to watch the organization live and breathe a privilege doesn't even capture it. It's an honor at the highest. They've become friends and coworkers that we are lucky to work near. The energy they bring to their work is contagious and builds all of us here."

Molly Grace, Community Manager, Durham Bottling Co.

"We had the opportunity to engage with DSS Scholars during their visit to Charlotte and witness their strong brotherhood first-hand. Our interactions with these young men of color further solidified our shared vision of creating access, celebrating human achievement, and sharing moments."

Dexter Mason, Head of Social Impact and DEI, Buzzer Media

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.

  • How can my organization benefit from participating in the Employer Partner Program?

    By joining our Employer Partner Program, your organization gains access to a pool of talented and motivated Success Summit alums who are ready to make a positive impact in the workforce. 


    Our program provides an opportunity for employers to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization while addressing systemic barriers that affect  Black male youth. 

  • What is the process of matching an employer with a Success Summit Scholar?

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  • Are there specific industries or sectors that Durham Success Summit focuses on for employer partnerships?

    We recognize that success comes in many different forms and industries. Durham Success Summit is committed to creating diverse and inclusive opportunities across a broad range of sectors. Our partnerships have spanned industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, marketing, and many others. We welcome employer partners from all sectors who are dedicated to providing meaningful experiences and opportunities for our Scholars. By diversifying the industries in which our Scholars engage, we ensure that they have the opportunity to explore a variety of career paths and pursue their passions.

  • How are Scholars and alums selected for our roles?

    At Durham Success Summit, we believe in a personalized approach to matching our Scholars with employer partners. After an initial conversation and understanding your organization's goals and requirements, we carefully assess the skills, experiences, and interests of our Scholars. We then strive to identify the best possible match for your organization, taking into account both technical qualifications and alignment with your company culture. Our goal is to create a  partnership where both parties can learn, grow, and succeed together.

  • What specific expectations does Durham Success Summit have of employer partners?

    To ensure the success of our employer partnerships, Durham Success Summit expects employer partners to provide competitive pay, benefits, and growth opportunities to our Scholars. By offering competitive compensation and benefits, you demonstrate your commitment to supporting our Scholars' financial well-being and professional development. 


    In addition, employer partners must:

    • Attend one mandatory training session. We ask that the person attending this training has supervisory responsibilities for this role.
    • Complete a questionnaire to help us match you with a Scholar who aligns with your organization's values and goals.
    • Complete assessments of the Scholar over the course of their employment, providing valuable feedback to support their growth
    • Host DSS for one site visit to strengthen our connection and ensure a positive and productive partnership.
    • Engage in bi-weekly communication with DSS, promoting ongoing collaboration, and enabling us to provide any necessary support.

  • What should employer partners expect from Durham Success Summit?

    Employer partners can expect a strong commitment from Durham Success Summit to support the success of their partnership. We work diligently to understand your organization's specific needs and goals, and we strive to connect you with Scholars who align with your requirements. Our goal is to facilitate meaningful connections that result in mutual growth and success. Throughout the partnership, we provide ongoing communication, feedback, and support to ensure that both the employer partner and Scholar have a positive experience.

  • What should employer partners expect from Durham Success Summit?

    Employer partners can expect a strong commitment from Durham Success Summit to support the success of their partnership. We work diligently to understand your organization's specific needs and goals, and we strive to connect you with Scholars who align with your requirements. Throughout the partnership, we provide ongoing communication, feedback, and support to ensure that both the employer partner and Scholar have a positive experience.

REQUEST A SPEAKER

Founder Derek Rhodes and alums are available to speak at events to share Durham Success Summit's story. Past engagements have included Harvard University, The American School in London, Duke University, and national conferences.

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CONSULTING AND ADVISORY SERVICES

As a recognized leader locally and nationally, we are proud to work with companies, governments, and educational institutions to provide operational and strategic guidance proven to improve recruiting, hiring, and retention. 

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