City Wide Youth Development
Empowering Baltimore’s Youth to Learn, Build, and Succeed
We provide Baltimore’s youth with hands-on job training, entrepreneurship education, and mentorship—helping them build businesses, launch successful careers, and live a brighter future!
Apparel Manufacturing Training:
Empowering the Next Generation of Designers
Our focus on workforce training and entrepreneurial growth drives our mission to provide tailored support to nurture apparel focused talent and help scale their product offerings.
Growth focused businesses, in the jewelry, handbag, or apparel spaces can gain access to mentoring, product development, and distribution guidance through our showroom. An introductory period is offered free of charge, ensuring entrepreneurs have time to establish their footing. Additionally, the center provides retail space for makers to test, work and innovate.
Join Our Culinary Arts Program >
Start your culinary journey and enroll in our Youth Culinary Arts Program today!
Join Our Manufacturing Programs >
Build the fashion house of the future—enroll in our Youth Manufacturing Program today!
Culinary Arts Training Program
Preparing Baltimore’s Next Generation of Food Industry Leaders
City Wide Youth Development’s culinary program, in partnership with Frozen Desert Sorbet, equips young entrepreneurs with hands-on experience, business skills, and financial literacy—turning a frozen treat into a pathway to success.
Creating over 150+ Jobs for Baltimore’s Youth
With 15+ mobile carts and a café at the EMAGE Center, participants earn $800–$1,200 weekly while gaining hands-on experience in sales, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
Every scoop sold helps build a stronger future for young entrepreneurs in our community.
In the News
City Wide Youth Development is a trailblazing nonprofit transforming Baltimore’s economic landscape by equipping youth and returning citizens with real-world skills in manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and creative industries. With a proven track record of impact, award recognition, and community trust, we are a vital voice in conversations around economic empowerment, workforce development, and social innovation. Our story is one of resilience, reinvention, and results — and we welcome the opportunity to share it with broader audiences through media collaboration.
ABC News: EMAGE Center creating opportunities and hope in West Baltimore
Valuable words from our participants
From building confidence and leadership skills to discovering passions in entrepreneurship, fashion, and technology, our youth leave the program feeling empowered and equipped to dream bigger.
I’ve learned that you have to be quick on your feet, know your money and know how to handle yourself and have conversation.
Zhane’ Russell, Participant
It gives you a sense of empowerment. You know things people your age don’t know and you get to participate in real world experiences.
Mecca Abdul-Aziz, Participant
This is what it looks like, black empowerment on a black owned block on North Avenue.
Farmer Nell