OIC Philadelphia

OIC Philadelphia Ready for your next opportunity? Then you’re ready for OIC Philadelphia. The Reverend Sullivan--who marched with the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center--or OIC--is dedicated to opening opportunities for all members of the community, helping people everywhere get the skills they need to get good jobs and advance in their careers. Our mission is to assist the unemployed, the underemployed, the homeless, and disadvantaged youth and adults to achieve self-sufficiency and empowerment, primarily t

hrough education, training, job placement, and through supportive human services, housing and economic development.Philadelphia OIC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 by the late Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, who was an internationally-recognized advocate for civil and economic rights for all. and Reverend Jesse Jackson--believed that jobs were the key to the economic development and true empowerment. The creation of OIC was his response to the lack of employment opportunities and job-training programs in the community. And 50 years later, our mission is as vitally important as ever. The Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, in it’s recently issued “Help Wanted: Knowledge Workers Needed” publication, reported that a staggering 52% of working age adults are at or below basic literacy levels. The 2011 American Community Survey estimate that 37% of Philadelphians did not graduate from high school and 26.7% live at or below the Federal Poverty line. Since its inception, Philadelphia OIC has been at the forefront of addressing these kinds of issues. Most recently, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia’s Chief Innovation Officer Adel Ebeid acknowledged OIC as a managing partner of the Freedom Rings Partnership and KEYSPOT designee. KEYSPOT is a citywide initiative of the Freedom Rings Partnership that brings free Internet access and computer training to all Philadelphians in a continuing effort to bridge the digital divide that exists in so many neighborhoods. OIC is one of only two designees that offer mobile KEYSPOT services through our unique Neighborhood Opportunities through Mobile Accessible Destinations (NOMAD) (link to Computer skills page) program, which provides mobile computer training to Philadelphians who are technologically disadvantaged, underemployed or unemployed. It’s one more example of how we continue to evolve, always looking for new opportunities to serve and advance the interests of all members of the community.

Ready to take your first step toward a career in tech?💻OIC Philadelphia is excited to launch our NEW Tech-Bridge Program...
08/27/2026

Ready to take your first step toward a career in tech?💻

OIC Philadelphia is excited to launch our NEW Tech-Bridge Program, a 3-week training program designed to prepare participants for entry-level opportunities in IT Support.

Participants will gain hands-on computer hardware and software skills, strengthen their professional development, and work toward Cisco certifications in computer hardware and software.

Upon completion, participants will be prepared to transition into Per Scholas’ IT Support AI Healthcare Training program, in partnership with OIC Philadelphia.

📅 Program Dates: September 28 – October 16, 2026
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Applications ends: September 3, 2026

Training is available at no cost to eligible participants.

Your pathway to a career in technology starts here. Apply beginning August 24! (Link in bio or visit oicphila.org)

08/26/2026

ONE WEEK AWAY! 🎉

Next Friday, join us for our 4th Annual Alumni & Community Block Party—a FREE afternoon celebrating OIC alumni, our neighbors, families, and the community we’re proud to serve.

Come out and enjoy:

🍴 FREE BBQ** prepared by OIC Culinary Arts participants
🤝 20+ community resource vendors** with information, services & opportunities
🎶 Live music, entertainment & special performances
🎁 Giveaways, children’s activities, games & more

Whether you’re an OIC alum, current participant, community partner, neighbor, or friend of OIC—this celebration is for YOU!

📅 Friday, September 4 | 3–7 PM
📍 N. Watts Street | Behind OIC Philadelphia
🎟️ FREE & open to everyone

Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your OIC pride. We’ll see you on the block!
RSVP https://pro.gofundme.com/event/4th-annual-alumni-block-party/e802916

08/21/2026

Kick off your Labor Day weekend with OIC Philadelphia! 🎉

Our 4th Annual Alumni & Community Block Party is bringing the energy on Friday, September 4 from 3–7 PM—and you don’t want to miss the celebration!

🎤 Program hosted by 6abc anchor TaRhonda Thomas
🎶 Live music by Henri McMillian
🔥 Special performance by Philly Freeway alongside OIC Digital Media alumni
🍴 Delicious food catered by our Culinary Arts participants
🤝 20+ community resource vendors
Plus, giveaways, children’s activities & more!

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come celebrate with the OIC community.
📍 N. Watts Street | Behind OIC Philadelphia
🎟️ FREE & open to the community

Start your Labor Day weekend with us—we’ll see you on the block!

Our President & CEO, Sheila Ireland, recently joined the North Philly Knows podcast to discuss what opportunity really l...
08/21/2026

Our President & CEO, Sheila Ireland, recently joined the North Philly Knows podcast to discuss what opportunity really looks like and the role we all play in creating it.

For more than 60 years, OIC Philadelphia has created pathways to opportunity through workforce development, career training, education, and economic empowerment. Our founder, Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, believed that opportunity should not be reserved for a select few; it should be created, shared, and expanded for everyone.

That vision continues to guide our work today.

During this conversation, Sheila shares more about OIC Philadelphia’s impact, our deep roots in North Philadelphia, and our continued commitment to equipping Philadelphians with the skills, confidence, and access needed to build brighter futures.

Watch the full conversation and learn more about how we’re working to create opportunity across Philadelphia.

What does opportunity look like to you? Let us know in the comments.

Powered by Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust

OIC Philadelphia's President & CEO, Sheila Ireland, recently joined...

Ready to take your first step toward a tech career?💻OIC Philadelphia is excited to launch our NEW Tech-Bridge Program, a...
08/20/2026

Ready to take your first step toward a tech career?💻

OIC Philadelphia is excited to launch our NEW Tech-Bridge Program, a 3-week training program designed to prepare participants for entry-level opportunities in IT Support.

Participants will gain hands-on computer hardware and software skills, strengthen their professional development, and work toward Cisco certifications in computer hardware and software.

Upon completion, participants will be prepared to transition into Per Scholas’ IT Support AI Healthcare Training program, in partnership with OIC Philadelphia.

Program Dates: September 28 – October 16, 2026
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Application end date: September 3, 2026

Training is available at no cost to eligible participants.

Your pathway to a career in technology starts here! https://oicphila.org/inquiry/

08/19/2026

🎉 16 DAYS TO GO! 🎉
The countdown is ON for OIC Philadelphia’s 4th Annual Alumni & Community Block Party! 💙

We’re taking over Watts Street on Friday, September 4 from 3–7 PM, and this year’s event is one you don’t want to miss!

🎶 Live music by Urban Guerilla Orchestra Henri McMillian
🎤 Special performance by Philly Freeway alongside OIC Digital Media alumni
🍴 Delicious food catered by our Culinary Arts participants
🤝 20+ community resource vendors
🎁 Giveaways, children’s activities & more!

And we couldn’t make this celebration happen without the incredible sponsors and community partners who continue to support OIC Philadelphia and our mission!

📅 Friday, September 4 | 3–7 PM
📍 N. Watts Street, behind OIC Philadelphia
🎟️ FREE & open to the community

We’re 16 days away—kick off your Labor Day weekend with OIC Philadelphia! 💙
RSVP link in bio

08/13/2026

🎉 OIC Alumni—this celebration is for YOU! 💙
Come back home to OIC Philadelphia for our 4th Annual Alumni & Community Block Party on Friday, September 4 from 3–7 PM!

Reconnect with fellow alumni and celebrate how far you’ve come while enjoying:
🎤 A special performance by OIC’s Digital Media alumni
🎶 Live music from the Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO)
🔥 Delicious BBQ prepared by our Culinary Arts students
🎉 Family fun, community resources, giveaways & more!

You’re part of OIC’s legacy, and we want you there! Bring the family and kick off your Labor Day weekend with OIC.
📍 N. Watts Street, behind OIC Philadelphia
🎟️ FREE & family-friendly
RSVP: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/4th-annual-alumni-block-party/e802916

A huge THANK YOU to the amazing sponsors making OIC Philadelphia’s 4th Annual Alumni & Community Block Party possible!Be...
08/07/2026

A huge THANK YOU to the amazing sponsors making OIC Philadelphia’s 4th Annual Alumni & Community Block Party possible!

Because of your generosity and commitment to our community, we’re able to host a FREE afternoon of live entertainment, delicious food, family fun, community resources, and celebration for our alumni, participants, neighbors, and friends.

Please join us in thanking our incredible sponsors:
🎉 The North Broad Renaissance
🎉 Temple University
🎉 Community College of Philadelphia
🎉 Philadelphia Department of Planning & Development
🎉 Pennsylvania Convention Center - Philadelphia, PA (Philly)
🎉 FIFTEEN Architecture + Design
🎉 School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University
🎉 Called To Serve CDC
🎉 Philadelphia Office of Human Resources
🎉 City Year Greater Philadelphia
🎉 Citizens
🎉 ArchWell Health
🎉 Fulton Mortgage Company
🎉 ClockedInNow
🎉 Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr.

Thank you for believing in OIC Philadelphia’s mission and helping us bring our community together for a day of connection, celebration, and opportunity.

📅 Friday, September 4
🕒 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 N. Watts Street behind OIC Philadelphia
We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you! ❤️
RSVP: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/4th-annual-alumni-block-party/e802916

From concept to creation — our food entrepreneurs are bringing their businesses to life! 👏🏾🍴Today, participants in OIC P...
08/07/2026

From concept to creation — our food entrepreneurs are bringing their businesses to life! 👏🏾🍴

Today, participants in OIC Philadelphia’s Food Entrepreneur Incubator Program stepped into their second Shark Tank-style presentation experience, pitching their products to a panel of business and food industry professionals, including Maria Frizelle R. and OIC Philadelphia Board Member Kalefe Wright.

This time, the experience went beyond the pitch. Participants had the opportunity to present the actual products they’ve been developing throughout the program.

✨ Alkeria showcased her glass-bottled "Keria's Soul Blend" seasoning line, sharing the vision behind her product and brand.

🍽️ Jasmin brought her culinary concept to the table, preparing soulful dishes for the panel to experience firsthand from her "Margaret's Place" food truck.

These real-world experiences are an important part of the journey, allowing participants to strengthen their presentations, receive valuable industry feedback, refine their products, and build the confidence needed to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.

At OIC Philadelphia, we’re not just teaching entrepreneurship; we’re creating opportunities for aspiring business owners to test, learn, grow, and bring their visions to life.

We’re proud of the progress our entrepreneurs are making and excited to see where they take their businesses next!

Address

1231 N Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
19122

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+12152367700

Website

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