Global Gateways Receives $45,000 Grant from Women’s Foundation of Mississippi to Launch Digital Media Training for At-Risk Girls and Women

Jackson, MS — April 30, 2025 — Global Gateways is honored to announce it has received a $45,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi through its Healthy Women, Access to Opportunity, Two Generation Initiative. This funding will support the launch of the Youth Digital Media Institute, a pilot workforce development program designed to provide at-risk and disadvantaged girls and women, ages 16–24, with high-demand digital media production skills—and a pathway to economic security.

The Digital Media Institute is a transformative initiative that addresses both the hard and soft skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive workforce. In addition to hands-on training in video production, graphic design, social media content creation, and other digital media arts, participants will also work toward earning the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). This nationally recognized credential assesses and certifies essential workplace skills such as communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork—core competencies that many employers say are lacking in new workforce entrants.

“The digital media field is one of the most accessible and fast-growing sectors for young people,” said Shameka Reed, Founder and Executive Director of Global Gateways. “But for girls and women to thrive in it, they need more than creative talent—they need developed media skill sets and workplace readiness. This program combines technical training with real-world career preparation, and we’re grateful to the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi for believing in our vision.”

With over 60,000 jobs in Mississippi tied directly to the creative economy, and the global influencer marketing industry valued at $16.4 billion, the demand for skilled, media-savvy professionals is skyrocketing. Yet, only 4.7% of the world’s 4.2 billion social media users are able to monetize their content. The Youth Digital Media Institute aims to close this gap by shifting participants’ relationship with technology from passive consumption to active creation—ultimately equipping them with the tools to earn, express, and empower.

This pilot program will serve as a replicable model for future expansion throughout Mississippi and beyond, especially in communities where opportunity and access to digital tools have been historically limited.

Over the summer, Reed and a coalition of community stakeholders will plan the official launch of the pilot program, slated for late August 2025. The planning phase will include the development of curriculums, internship and job-shadowing opportunities, application and recruitment processes, and collaborative partnerships with local media professionals and employers to ensure real-world relevance and impact.  

For more information, visit www.globalgateways.org or contact Shameka@globalgateways.org.