From Classroom to Construction!
Pictured L to R: Stephen Rogers (c/o 2018), Taylor Joyner (c/o 2022), Keon Little (inaugural c/o 2016), CJ Jaramillo, Foreman
A powerful example of workforce development in action is unfolding at the City of Cincinnati’s Fleet & Cormany Garages project, where an
all-diversity crew—made up largely of graduates from the Journeys Soaring Impact (JSIP) Ironworking
Pre-Apprenticeship Program—is making its mark on the job site.
Representing multiple graduating classes of the program, Stephen Rogers (Class of 2018), Taylor Joyner (Class of 2022),
and Keon Little (Inaugural Class of 2016) are now working side by side as skilled ironworkers with Journey Steel. Their roles span both
journeyman and apprentice levels, demonstrating clear career progression and long-term success within the skilled trades.
Completing the team is job foreman CJ Jaramillo, who, while not a graduate of JSIP, plays a critical leadership role in guiding the crew
and ensuring the project’s success. His presence further reflects the breadth of backgrounds and perspectives that strengthen the team
and contribute to its overall impact.
What makes this moment especially significant is not just the diversity of the crew, but the full-circle journey each individual represents.
Once students exploring career pathways, they are now professionals contributing to critical city infrastructure—bringing both skill
and representation to an industry historically lacking diversity.
“This is exactly what we mean when we say we’re working to change lives and generations one student at a time,”
said Ingrid Ross, Journeys Soaring Impact Executive Director. “These young men are not only building structures—they’re
building legacies.” The JSIP Ironworking Pre-Apprenticeship Program has become a vital pipeline connecting underrepresented
youth to meaningful careers in the trades. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and direct industry partnerships, the program
equips participants with the tools needed to enter and succeed in union apprenticeships and beyond.
For the City of Cincinnati, the Fleet & Cormany Garages project now stands as more than just a construction site—
it’s a living testament to what intentional investment in people can achieve.
As Rogers, Joyner, and Little continue their work high above the ground—supported by strong leadership on-site—
they are elevating expectations, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps.