East Bronx Academy and BeSkilled America Launch Historic AI Literacy Initiative for 600+ Students; Aligns with National K-12 AI Priorities

RONX, NY – East Bronx Academy is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with BeSkilled America to launch a first-of-its-kind AI Literacy and Entrepreneurship program. Starting March 18 and running through March 27, the initiative will provide over 600 students in grades 6-12 with the critical skills needed to navigate the “Future of Work.”

This initiative marks a historic milestone as the first program of its kind to pilot a comprehensive AI curriculum for grades 6-12 in New York City, New York State, and the United States. Furthermore, the BeSkilled America initiative directly aligns with President Trump’s national AI priorities, which emphasize the integration of artificial intelligence into K-12 education to ensure American students remain the most competitive and technologically advanced in the world.

What Students Will Master
The ten-day program, delivered through a high-impact mix of in-person and virtual workshops, focuses on three core pillars of modern digital fluency:

AI 101: How It Works – A deep dive into the mechanics of Artificial Intelligence, demystifying algorithms and neural networks to give students a foundational understanding of the technology.
Content Engineering – Moving beyond simple searches, students learn the art and science of prompt engineering to “program” AI for complex problem-solving and data analysis.
Content Creation – Students will leverage generative AI tools to produce professional-grade media, text, and digital assets, bridging the gap between imagination and execution.
Voices of Leadership
“We are not just teaching our students how to use a new tool; we are teaching them how to lead in a world that is being fundamentally rewritten,” said Latrica Dendy, Instructor at East Bronx Academy. “By educating over 600 students at once in AI and entrepreneurship, we are closing the digital divide in real-time. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative for NYC and the nation, giving our scholars the agency to define their own roles in the future workforce.”

Mike Johns, Futurist and Founder of BeSkilled America, emphasized the strategic importance of the mission: “The ‘Future of Work’ is a matter of national competitiveness. Our initiative at East Bronx Academy aligns perfectly with the President’s vision for AI in K-12 education—ensuring that American students are ‘AI-Ready’ from day one. By using the core text Death of a Job as our roadmap, we are showing these students that while AI may change the nature of employment, it creates an unprecedented platform for entrepreneurship and American innovation.”

Program Overview
Feature Details
Timeline March 18 – March 27
Format In-person intensive workshops & Virtual deep-dive sessions
Participants 600+ Students (Grades 6-12)
Core Text Death of a Job by Mike Johns
National Alignment Supports Federal K-12 AI Education Initiatives
About East Bronx Academy East Bronx Academy for Tomorrow is a 6-12 public school that empowers students through a rigorous, technology-rich curriculum, fostering the critical thinking and leadership skills necessary for success in a global society.

About BeSkilled America BeSkilled America is a national workforce readiness initiative dedicated to bridging the gap between emerging technology and underrepresented communities. Through high-impact training and visionary leadership, BeSkilled America prepares the workforce of tomorrow, today.

Media Contact: 

Contact Mike Johns, Founder
Email: Info@beskilledamerica.com
Let’s create pathways to opportunity together.