MedMen launched it’s Red Jacket Preparation program in collaboration with the Brotherhood Crusade. The cannabis company opened it’s doors to 16 participants for a day of education, opportunity, and inspiration.
The day-long experience was designed to prepare individuals for employment through workforce development and a job fair program. On Thursday, November 7, the company welcomed a batch of Brotherhood Crusade participants as future employees, entrepreneurs, and students looking to gain experience in the field.
The eager individuals walked into the MedMen headquarters excited and expecting to gain knowledge inone of the fastest-growing industries. Through the Red Jacket Preparation workshop, the young attendees gained an education on cannabis, an overview of career opportunities, resume and skill workshop, conversations with MedMen leadership, and an exclusive job fair with the company.
In addition to a great day of mentoring, MedMen awarded the community organization with a $50,000 check to aid in the Brotherhood Crusade’s efforts regarding career readiness and workforce development initiatives in South Los Angeles.
“It’s days like this that you actually get to see what it means, we are creating a new industry. As you create an industry, think about the opportunities that present themselves,” said MedMen CEO and co-founder, Adam Bierman, who along with co-founder, Andrew Modlin, had been building the massive cannabis company for 10 years, making it one of the first of it’s kind in America.
“We are creating it from scratch, and so our opportunity to make the world a safer, healthier, happier place shows up in days like today, where from scratch, there no reason that the marijuana economy cannot have a positive impact in all communities,” he continues.
Bierman had the honor of gifting the award to Charisse Bremond-Weaver, president & CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade, Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles Mayor and MedMen board of directors member, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., chairman of the Brotherhood Crusade board of directors, Senator Steven Bradford, and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer on behalf of the Brotherhood Crusade.
“Adam, to believe in your board member [Antonio Villaraigosa], to partner with Brotherhood Crusade, to know the importance of equity, to have 16 of our young people here today … we thank you,” Bremond-Weaver said in a speech.
Bremond-Weaver also thanked Bakewell, Sr. for his efforts with the Brotherhood Crusade since the organization began. His relationship with Villaraigosa helped aligned the two companies to produce such a fruitful event.
The relationships these organizers have proved to stand the test of time and have worked for decades to better Los Angeles. This day at MedMen was nothing short of that.
“My passion in this industry is to make sure it looks like California, that it’s as diverse as the tapestry of this state,” Senator Bradford stated. “Having a program like this today with the Brotherhood Crusade is along the line of what the legislation intends.”
“The gift that you gave today, the contribution you’re giving to the Brotherhood Crusade is so important.,” Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer stated as he explained how the efforts put forth by both MedMen and the Brotherhood Crusade can help end the prison to the pipeline system in California. He continued, “it has a profound impact that you may not see today, but you may see in the future.”
The ceremony ended with each attendee being awarded MedMen swag bags and a red jacket to symbolize joining the cannabis economy. With joy and eagerness, each walked across the stage with cheers from the entire headquarters staff to collect their rewards for their passion and participation.
Rossha Harris, shared her experience, “it was really good and informative, I definitely learned a lot,” the 24-year-old explained. The future entrepreneur continued, “I’m really into the cannabis industry, so this just put an extra boost and extra kick for me to do whatever I need to do!”
