Facebook Group Wins Business Insider Award Increases Employment Opportunities for Marginalized and BIPOC Groups Affected by COVID-19

Washington, DC, September 26, 2020 --(PR.com)-- Business Insider has recognized Dennett Edwards, founder of the nonprofit Corona Daze Professional Development Group (CDPD), as an innovative career coach for her unique work helping marginalized and BIPOC groups affected by COVID-19. The Business Insider highlighted innovative career coaches from around the country who “have devised creative ways to help clients find jobs and advance professionally in a recession.” Dennett, a 46-year old Black woman from New York City who lives in the Washington DC metro area, founded CDPD in April in response to unemployment and underemployment from the COVID-19 pandemic. CDPD’s mission is to increase marginalized groups’ access to employment opportunities and representation in the workforce by providing members with free training, mentorship, and networking.

Over the past five months, CDPD members have improved marketability, started new jobs and businesses, and grown their professional networks. CDPD invites career coaches, trainers, and entrepreneurs across industries to provide free training, coaching, and career development to CDPD members. Between June and September, CDPD hosted 30 webinars on Facebook covering resume writing, interview prep, salary negotiation, mental health and leadership, entrepreneurism, networking, and other topics. The organization has approximately 1,000 members on Facebook and LinkedIn.

“Most career development assistance is targeted to young workers, but older workers need support too,” said Dennett. From the start, 69 percent of CDPD members have been over 34 years old, with over 55 percent ranging from age 35-54.

CDPD has grown through word of mouth, does not advertise, and is increasing its global members weekly. CDPD was established as a non-profit in June and is seeking funding as it grows its membership. Dennett Edwards currently self-funds the entire program.