The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC), operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS), accepted an invitation to attend a private screening of the motion picture Hidden Figures on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Park Place Stadium Cinemas, Charleston WV. The private screening was sponsored by African-American Philanthropy in Action (AAPA), The LINKS, Inc., Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter and WV State University.

Hidden Figures is the untold story of WV Native Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae)–three brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. This stunning achievement restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. These three phenomenal women crossed all gender and racial barriers to inspire generations to dream big.

Youth of all ages were encouraged to attend this educational experience. Children and youth admission was free, along with snacks provided by the sponsors. The private screening was well attended; there were showings in three different rooms with over 600 in attendance. Prior to the showing, messages from the sponsors were provided and tables set up for additional information following the production.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. Job Corps is in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.

Picture 1: Kyle McAninch, Keanu James, Henry Graves, SCMS Principal, Tiffani Jackson and Deion Lee