Brandon Ledford, Director of Workforce Development
To give in honor of Brandon, click here.
We all know how a good teacher can make all the difference.
Many of us have memories of a teacher whose role in our education and life was the key to our development, our success or even our survival. For countless people in our local Latino community, that teacher is Brandon Ledford, Centro Hispano Director of Workforce Development.
Born and raised right here in East Tennessee,Brandon has an undeniable talent for connecting with folks and earning trust. Since the start of his work with Centro Hispano in 2015, he has made it his mission to nurture the needs of each unique individual he instructs by meeting them where they are. His personalized style of education is not just effective, but essential. The relationships that Brandon builds are key to maintaining trust within the community and expanding access to Centro’s services.
His award-winning adult education and workforce development programs have empowered hundreds of people to learn English, find employment and navigate the nuances of a new culture. And now, thanks to years of Brandon’s above-and-beyond effort, Centro Hispano is able to offer the region’s only HiSET prep program in Spanish.
Being able to share the stories of success from our first group of HiSET students has truly been moving, but the real impact of this pioneering program will be measured across generations. Centro Hispano’s HiSET Prep Program not only creates increased access to education and employment opportunities for the individuals that enroll, but to their families as well. We’ve seen how students’ HiSET studies have created opportunities for shared learning experiences that benefit their children, too. We’ve heard how important a parent’s example can be for facilitating a child’s future success. And we know that achieving higher levels of education correlates directly to increased wages and better job opportunities.
By investing in Centro’s HiSET Prep Program, you will bring education and economic mobility to individuals, families and generations of Latinos in East Tennessee. Please make a year-end contribution today. Visit hisetheroes.swell.gives to read more about the program and to make a donation in honor of Brandon and his students.
Brandon's Bio:
Brandon Ledford is the Director of Workforce Development at Centro Hispano, the cultural and educational hub for the Latino community in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born and raised in East Tennessee, Brandon has a deep love for the area.
Brandon’s journey with Centro Hispano began in August of 2015 as a teaching practicum through the University of Tennessee where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Business. After becoming a part time employee in January 2017, he grew into his current position through program development by redesigning programs with a focus on community needs.
Brandon’s innovative ideas expanded from the idea of merely teaching the Latino population of East Tennessee a language to a holistic approach which better fostered their success. During his time with Centro Hispano, the amount of students served has more than doubled as necessary programs such as digital education have been added. Brandon also launched the first high school equivalency exam preparation program in Spanish in the region as well as a revenue generating basic program to teach the greater community Spanish.
The workforce development department has received the “Lighting the Way” award from the Suntrust Foundation and was recently recognized as Bank of America’s inaugural Neighborhood Champion for the region.
The core value behind Brandon’s work at Centro Hispano is meeting people where they are: whether this means helping them learn to write their name, receive a high school diploma, talk to their child’s teacher or discover how to best use their professional talents here in the states. He enjoys studying and advocating for social justice, spending time with friends, taking his dog for long walks downtown, and giving his orange cat a few too many treats.