Street One Fifty: Empowering Minority Graduates

Timeframe: 2 Months

My Role: Founder and UX Researcher

Objective: Street One Fifty aims to empower minority graduates in Washington, DC, by providing tailored professional development workshops, networking events, co-working spaces, and health and wellness programs. The goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment that bridges the gap in professional opportunities for minority graduates.

Introduction

As a UX researcher and founder of Street One Fifty, I am dedicated to empowering minority graduates in Washington, DC, by providing tailored professional development workshops, networking events, co-working spaces, and health and wellness programs. This project was born out of my personal experiences and the challenges I observed among my peers. My goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment that bridges the gap in professional opportunities for minority graduates, fostering a community where authenticity, integrity, and ambition can thrive.

Research Goals

  • Understand the unique challenges faced by minority graduates.

  • Identify key needs and preferences for professional development and community support.

  • Gather insights to inform the design and implementation of tailored programs and services.

Methodology

Customer Discovery Interviews

  • Conducted over 20 in-depth interviews with minority graduates to gather qualitative data on their experiences, challenges, and needs.

Surveys and Focus Groups

  • Distributing surveys to 200 minority graduates and conducting focus groups to collect quantitative data and validate initial findings.

Community Engagement

  • Engaging with local community members, organizations, and universities to gather feedback and build partnerships.

Key Findings

Challenges:

  • Identified key pain points, including limited access to tailored professional development, inadequate networking opportunities, and a lack of supportive community spaces.

  • 75% of participants reported feeling isolated in their professional journeys.

Needs and Preferences:

  • Majority of respondents expressed a strong desire for regular, intimate events to build meaningful connections.

  • High demand for a resource center with books, tools, and support for personal and professional growth.

Community Insights:

  • Participants emphasized the importance of inclusivity and representation in all programs and services.

  • Strong interest in health and wellness programs, including mental health workshops and fitness classes.

Next Steps

  1. Program Development:

    • Launch professional development workshops, networking events, and health and wellness programs based on research insights.

    • Apply UX design principles to create over 30 user-friendly program materials and resources.

  2. User-Centered Implementation:

    • Ensure all programs and services are tailored to meet the specific needs of minority graduates.

    • Develop a comprehensive support system that promotes authenticity, integrity, and ambition.

  3. Community Engagement:

    • Continue building strong relationships with local organizations, universities, and community leaders.

    • Foster an inclusive environment through ongoing outreach and feedback collection.

  4. Evaluation and Iteration:

    • Regularly assess program effectiveness through participant feedback and data analysis

    • Iterate on program designs to continuously improve and adapt to the evolving needs of the community.

Conclusion

By leveraging strong UX research methodologies and community engagement strategies, I have laid a solid foundation for Street One Fifty. This research-driven approach ensures that our programs and services are effectively tailored to meet the needs of our target audience, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for minority graduates. This project highlights my ability to conduct comprehensive user research, engage with the community, and design impactful, user-centered solutions.

Reflection

Street One Fifty has been an incredibly rewarding project, allowing me to combine my passion for community empowerment with my skills in UX research and design. Through this initiative, I have gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by minority graduates and developed effective strategies to address their needs. I look forward to continuing this journey and expanding Street One Fifty to create a lasting impact.

Skills & Tools

  • User Interviews

  • Surveys and Focus Groups

  • Community Engagement

  • Data Analysis

  • UX Design Principles

  • Program Development