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Your Potential Our New York
Dream • Learn • Build Vocational Careers & Entrepreneurship Expo
#DLBexpo
#DLBexpo
Connecting New Yorkers to hands-on career exploration, training, top employers, and entrepreneurship resources. Building real pathways to economic opportunity and a stronger future for our communities.
DLB Expo Starts In
165
Days
13
Hrs
25
Min
02
Sec
Saturday, March 13, 2027 · 8:00 AM
Seven Pathways.
Hundreds of Possible Futures.
Building New York.
Construction, infrastructure, electrical trades, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, welding, green construction, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, building maintenance, and related skilled trades.
Caring for New York.
Healthcare, nursing and allied health, dental careers, medical assisting, mental health, aging services, home healthcare, community health, medical technology, and other health and wellness careers.
Moving New York.
Transportation, aviation, automotive technology, logistics, warehousing, supply chains, infrastructure operations, fleet maintenance, and related careers.
Serving New York.
Culinary arts, hospitality, food service, cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, personal care, tourism, and other service-based vocational careers.
Creating New York.
Creative industries, media production, graphic and digital design, fashion, photography, audio/video production, and other creative and production careers.
Technology & AI.
Cybersecurity, information technology, computer support, networking, data management, artificial intelligence applications, and other technology-enabled careers.
Owning New York.
Entrepreneurship, business ownership, and the resources, systems, coaching, and opportunities needed to start, strengthen, and grow a business.
WHY ATTEND?
The world of work is changing. New Yorkers need real pathways forward.
Dream • Learn • Build Expo brings people, employers, training and resource providers, workforce leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers together to turn today’s challenges into your next opportunity.
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Adults are needing to reinvent their careers multiple times.
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Employers are unable to find qualified workers.
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Communities are worried about AI and automation.
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Skilled workers know how to do the work but not how to build wealth from the work.
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Policymakers are searching for practical economic mobility strategies.
Dream.
Learn.
Build.
Move from uncertainty to opportunity.
What to Expect at the Dream • Learn • Build Vocational Careers & Entrepreneurship Expo
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Informative Sessions & Panel Discussions
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Career Expo & Demonstrations
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Job & Training Resources
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One-on-One Conversations
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Financial & Business Tools
Ready to take your next step?
Young people are graduating without clear pathways into growing industries. Adults are seeking career changes but lack information about emerging opportunities. Workers with valuable skills often struggle to translate those skills into higher-paying positions, business ownership, or independent economic opportunity. Leave the DLB Expo not only informed, but connected to a pathway forward. Your next step is here!
Powered by Our Sponsors
Meet the organizations investing in New York’s talent, businesses, and communities, and making Dream • Learn • Build possible.
The Institute for African American Folk Culture (IAAFC)
Community Champion
Spread the word about the #DLBexpo. Let’s future-proof New York. Together.
Exhibitors
Meet the organizations bringing careers, training, resources, expertise, and opportunity directly to New Yorkers. Stop by the DLB Expo!
Semirosas Operations & Back-Office Training
Business & Money Hub
Exhibitor
Program Updates Coming Soon
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
2 Concurrent SessionsGeneral Registration & Breakfast
Meal
General🎟️ Sponsor / VIP Registration & Breakfast
MealPresentation
Invitation Only9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome Remarks & Vision from NYS
Opening remarks highlighting New York’s vision for workforce and economic opportunity. New York's economy is changing rapidly. Advances in technology, artificial intelligence, infrastructure development, healthcare expansion, clean energy investment, transportation modernization, and entrepreneurship are creating new opportunities while simultaneously transforming traditional career pathways. Yet many New Yorkers remain disconnected from these opportunities.
General
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
The Next Frontier: Vocational and Technical Training in a Changing America
Explore how vocational and technical education is evolving for today’s workforce.
Keynote
General9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Vocational Careers & Entrepreneurship Expo
Explore vocational career pathways, training opportunities, and entrepreneurship resources. Connect directly with employers, unions, training providers, business-support organizations, and other resources that can help you move from interest to opportunity.
Expo
General9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Reimagining Economic Mobility Through Vocational and Technical Training
Discover how skills-based training can create stronger pathways to economic mobility.
Panel
General10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Mid-Morning Break
Take a short break, refresh, and connect with other attendees.
Break
General10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
4 Concurrent SessionsWhat Career Fits Me? How Do I Get Started?
Breakout
Track 1 - Career Discovery & EntryWhat Employers Are Looking For
Breakout
Track 2 - Career ActionFrom Worker to Owner: Turning What You Know Into What You Own
Breakout
Track 3 - EntrepreneurshipRetention by Design: Creating Workplaces People Don’t Want to Leave
Breakout
Track 4 - Career Supporters12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
2 Concurrent SessionsGeneral Lunch
Meal
General🎟️ Sponsor / VIP Leadership Luncheon
MealPresentation
Invitation Only1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Green Jobs, Tech Jobs, Trade Jobs: Where the Future Workforce Is Headed
As automation, climate policy, infrastructure investment, and digital innovation reshape the economy, the definition of a “good job” is evolving. This session offers a forward-looking industry outlook on the fastest-growing sectors—green energy, technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, construction trades, and more—and what they mean for today’s workforce.
Panel
General2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
4 Concurrent SessionsYour Skills Can Take You Anywhere: Transferable Skills & Career Switching
Breakout
Track 1 - Career Discovery & EntryAI at Work: The Digital Skills You Need Now
Breakout
Track 2 - Career ActionDoing Business with Government: Contracts & Supplier Opportunities
Breakout
Track 3 - EntrepreneurshipPaying for the Path: Financing Education & Training
Breakout
Track 4 - Career Supporters4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎟️ Sponsor / VIP Networking Mixer: Cocktails & Career Talks
Join us for an exclusive Sponsor / VIP networking mixer. Enjoy curated cocktails and light bites while engaging in meaningful conversations at the intersection of career and community. This intimate setting is designed to connect you with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
Refreshments
Invitation Only
The economy is moving quickly!
Industries are advancing while workers are standing still. Thousands of jobs are coming, but only for those with certifications, credentials, or cross-training (to perform multiple roles or develop skills across different areas). With rising demand in skilled trades, clean energy, and tech-enabled vocational careers, New York is at a pivotal moment in workforce transformation.
FAQs
How can we help?
Find quick answers to the most common questions about the event.
JOIN US
Join us at the National Urban League for the Dream • Learn • Build Vocational Careers & Entrepreneurship Expo.
National Urban League
Date
Thursday, March 11, 2027
Time
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Address
117 W 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
New York, NY 10027
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National Urban League
117 W 125th Street, New York, NY 10027
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