Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center Unveils Rebranding Campaign

The Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) unveiled its new logo and marketing campaign during a Harlem community briefing on November 12 at the MEOC headquarters in the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State office building on 125th Street.

The event was attended by community and academic leaders as well as state political representatives and former MEOC students. Established in 1966 by the State University of New York (SUNY), the MEOC is administered by Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY).

Jacqueline Gray, a graduate of MEOC High School Equivalency (HSE) program, woke up at 5 a.m. and drove from Pennsylvania to attend the event.  Gray, who went on to earn her bachelor’s degree, now works in health services management.

“Some very great people work here. They are motivators who motivated me. Because of them, I did what I thought would never be able to do,” Gray said. “The greatest advice I can give individuals who may be thinking about going back to school is believe in yourself, give yourself a chance to do it because you just might be surprised.”

Helping adults build skills and better lives

MEOC is one of 12 EOCs located throughout the state of New York designed to help adult students learn English, earn a HSE diploma and prepare for college or receive training for a career that pays a sustainable wage.

The MEOC high school equivalency attainment rates are nearly double the state-wide average of New York State and the center’s ESOL program has opened doors for a countless first generation New Yorkers, including a widely known Manhattan chef who moved to New York from Senegal and didn’t speak a word of English.

“I didn’t know English when I came to America and I credit the MEOC instructors with giving me the communication skills necessary to be successful in New York’s restaurant industry,” said Chef “Ejhadji” Cisse who is now the owner and chef at Ponty Bistro and Renaissance restaurants.

Cisse now employs more than 40 people at his restaurants in Harlem and Downtown.

Sending a message of inspiration

The MEOC rebranding, part of a state-wide EOC effort, includes a logo that incorporates a photo of the statue of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. located outside the building where the center is located. The rebranding campaign also includes a redesigned website and other marketing efforts to raise awareness about the free career and academic services MEOC provides.

“After 50 years of providing services to this community we have a new look, that’s attractive and catches the eye of community members,” said MEOC Executive Director Anthony Watson. “We have dedicated adjunct and full-time faculty as well as staff who make sure students get what they need in order to achieve and we’re here to get that message out there.”

SUNY Associate Provost and Director for Academic Affairs Lisa McKay thanked members of the Harlem community for attending.

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of traveling around the state, taking part in events such as this and uplifting what EOCs mean for our communities and roll out our new marketing branding for the system,” said McKay. “EOCs employ upward mobility.  We will empower everyone who comes through our doors.”

During her opening remarks, BMCC Interim President Karrin E. Wilks told the audience that MEOC was an important part of the college’s strategic planning process and to create pathways from MEOC to BMCC and onto a degree and meaningful work with sustaining wages.

“MEOC is vital to our mission at BMCC in terms of advancing equity and social justice and we’re proud to be working so closely with the center,” said Wilks.

Curtis Archer, president of the Harlem Development Corporation, a state agency that fosters economic opportunity and community revitalization in the area from 96th Street to 178th Street in Manhattan, says the MEOC rebranding was especially important in today’s changing global workforce.

“It was so important for the MEOC to rebrand itself and let people know that their offerings are available online,” said Archer. “The MEOC has been able to identify job sectors that show growth and potential,” said Archer.

Xavier Santiago, vice chair of Community Board 11, which covers the east side of upper Manhattan and Harlem said MEOC served a vital purpose in the community.

“Not everyone has the same opportunities, in our community. MEOC serves as a springboard to the next economic and educational opportunity,” said Santiago. “Working with our community members and MEOC is something I’d like to see more of in the future.”