MEOC Honored by NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch as Education Game Changer

The Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) was recognized as an Education Game Changer by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Mid-Manhattan Branch during the NAACP’s annual holiday party on December 21.

In 2016, both the Harlem-based MEOC and NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch celebrated their 50^th anniversaries. Established in 1966 by the State University of New York and administered by Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY), MEOC offers academic and vocational services at no charge to qualifying New York State residents. Programs range from High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation to Career Training programs to Civil Service exam preparation for government jobs.

Graduates from the MEOC have been accepted into degree programs at the City University of New York, State University of New York and private colleges after receiving post-secondary education, training and support at the Center. Others have moved directly into the labor force, landing jobs in healthcare, business, government and nonprofit organizations.

Over the past 50 years, MEOC’s program offerings have evolved to meet the needs of an increasingly technology and healthcare-driven labor market, according to Anthony Watson, MEOC’s Executive Director.

Recently, the MEOC developed a Career Training program in Electronic Health Records and in Fall 2016, MEOC launched its Hospitality Training program. The center is also equipped with an Advanced Technology Training and Information Network (ATTAIN) lab.

The MEOC has played a critical role in educating and advancing the lives of thousands of individuals when they had no other opportunities available to them, Watson said. “Many of our students come to us after having faced real challenges in other educational or workforce areas of their lives. They see us and our services as an opportunity to move up the ladder for greater success.”

The NAACP was founded on a platform to educate and bring equality to all people. To be recognized by this organization is “a great honor that words can’t express,” Watson said. “As an educational opportunity center, we change lives and advance people in our communities so they can become self-sufficient.”