Innovating Giving Back…
Revolutionizing Community Growth, Impact & Opportunity
Prime For Change (PFC) is rooted in community and driven by impact, bringing together residents, grassroots organizations, and local leaders to create meaningful pathways to economic opportunity and mobility. Through workforce development, entrepreneurship, small business support, financial literacy, leadership development, and exposure to emerging technologies, we empower youth, young adults, and underserved communities with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to secure living-wage employment, build sustainable careers, and achieve long-term economic stability.
Let’s Build Together…
We build pipelines to opportunity by connecting youth, young adults, and residents to education, workforce development, supportive services, and meaningful career pathways. Through strategic partnerships, hands-on training, and mentorship, we empower individuals to overcome systemic barriers, achieve economic mobility, and create lasting change...
How We Power
Community Success
Economic Opportunity & Community Outreach
We drive economic development by increasing revenue generation within underserved neighborhoods by strengthening local wealth building ecosystems. Our initiatives focus on helping entrepreneurs start, stabilize, and scale businesses through financial literacy education, business development training, access to capital guidance, and strategic growth planning. By hosting commerce-centered events, we create direct sales opportunities, vendor marketplaces, and platforms that circulate dollars within the community. We support small business expansion, connect founders to procurement and contract opportunities, and encourage collaborative buying power to keep spending local. Through our sister for-profit arm, Prime Proposal Group, we even help with bidding.
Job Readiness Training (JRT), Workforce Development & Skills Advancement
PFC prepares individuals for sustainable, living wage career pathways by combining industry aligned job readiness training, structured pre-apprenticeship programs, and direct pipelines into high demand sectors such as artificial and information technology. Participants receive hands-on technical instruction, workplace readiness coaching, and exposure to employer expectations that prepare them for immediate entry into the workforce. Through our partners, individuals access a variety of technical careers with practical, skills-based training that leads to apprenticeship placement and credential advancement to address employment barriers.
Structured Mentorship & Leadership Development
Our team invests deeply in young people by providing structured mentorship, leadership development, and exposure to real world career pathways. Each year, we support 100+ youth during the summer through intensive programming, including initiatives such as One Summer Chicago and Chicago Youth Works, where participants gain hands-on experience across industries including technology, entrepreneurship, skilled trades, real estate, and more. Youth engage in project-based learning, job readiness training, financial literacy, and professional development workshops while earning stipends that reinforce the value of work and responsibility. By pairing young people with mentors and industry professionals, we expand their networks and future net worth.
“I founded Prime For Change because I believe every young person and every resident deserves access to economic opportunity—not just hope. Too many talented people are overlooked because they lack access, connections, or resources. Our mission is to bridge that gap by creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, financial stability, and lifelong success. When we invest in people, we strengthen the economy, transform neighborhoods, and build future businesses.”
— Tammy Brownlee, Founder of Prime For Change
Summer Was A Success!
Get Paid! Learn to Earn…
Chicago youth, ages 14-24 had an incredible opportunity to gain real-world experience, earn money, and build skills for the future through the Chicago Youth Works Summer Jobs Program. Prime For Change served over 150 youth through a hands-on workforce experience designed to prepare young people for the future economy. Throughout the summer, participants earned $450-480 while building valuable career skills, confidence, and gaining direct exposure to industry professionals. Youth explored real-world career pathways including AI and technology, sports management, real estate, and entrepreneurship.
Evidence-Based Services
Youth Development, Life Skills Building, Career Pathways & Workforce Development
At PFC, we are deeply committed to uplifting communities by focusing on key areas that drive personal and professional growth. Our Youth Development initiatives inspire and mentor the next generation, equipping them with the tools and confidence to reach their full potential. In fact, our grant-funded One Summer Chicago program, Prime Future Entrepreneurs, equips youth to become owners and leaders-not just employees. Through life skills building, we provide practical training that empowers individuals to navigate everyday challenges with resilience and self-assurance. Our career pathways programs open doors to meaningful employment opportunities, while our workforce development efforts prepare participants with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to thrive in competitive job markets.
Barrier Reduction, Wraparound Services, Community Engagement & Economic Opportunity
We are also committed to strengthening communities by addressing barriers that prevent individuals and families from achieving long-term stability. Our barrier reduction and wraparound services provide essential supports such as: transportation assistance, workforce navigation, mentorship, and access to community-based resources that promote independence and upward mobility. Through intentional community engagement, we meet residents where they are, build trust, and ensure programs reflect real neighborhood needs. Our economic empowerment strategy focuses on expanding entrepreneurship, workforce pathways, financial literacy, and small business development to create sustainable opportunities for growth and wealth building.
PFC Featured
in The Triibe…
Prime For Change was recently featured in The TRiiBE for its role in Chicago Youth Works and its commitment to creating meaningful paid opportunities for Chicago youth. We employed approximately 150 young people during the summer, providing hands-on workforce experience, career exposure, skill-building, and opportunities designed to prepare youth for their futures. Read our feature in The TRiiBE to learn more about Chicago’s historic investment in youth employment and Prime For Change’s impact →
Tech is the Future…
An innovative pre-apprenticeship program dedicated to empowering youth with access to high-quality education and hands-on training in cutting-edge technology fields. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, our 12-week curriculum prepares our participants to become future innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the tech industry.
Events & Programming
Coalition Partners, Funders & Supporters
Our Founder & Visionary…
Tammy Brownlee, MBA
For more than half my life, I’ve helped nonprofits secure multi-million dollar grants and for-profits win over half a billion in RFPs across the U.S. and Caribbean. Over time, I saw a pattern—organizations could win funding through my efforts but lacked the structure and support to sustain it. That gap led to the creation of Prime For Change (PFC), built to provide the guidance, collaboration, and “Dream Team” approach organizations need to grow and truly make an impact.
At PFC, we partner with smaller nonprofits by bringing them into our network and equipping them with the resources, guidance, and support needed to strengthen their programs, staff, and overall impact. After securing tens of millions in funding across Illinois, this initiative was launched in my hometown with a vision to expand into cities nationwide. With an MBA in Nonprofit Organizational Management and over 25 years of experience across universities, government, and the private sector, I bring a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed. Now it’s time to execute…
Fun Fact…
“Prime For Change was named by our Executive Director, Charles Edwards. At the time, I had so many clients that I was helping win millions of dollars in funding and opportunities, yet there were moments when I felt the work I was doing was so unappreciated. During a conversation, Charles said to me, ‘Why don’t you do this for yourself? Build something with people who will galvanize around the vision, do the work, and make a real impact.’ The very next day, Prime For Change was born. Thank you, Charles, for helping me give this idea life. What started as a conversation has grown into a mission, and our goal is to serve, strengthen, and create opportunities in as many communities as we can!” — Tammy, Prime For Change
Obama Presidential Library
Local College Tours
Industry + Drone Day
Meet Prime’s Board
Our Board of Directors brings together experienced leaders who are passionate about creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and empowering the next generation. Their expertise, strategic guidance, and commitment help Prime For Change fulfill its mission of preparing youth and families for lifelong success. Together, they provide the governance, vision, and accountability that fuel our growth and ensure every program creates meaningful, measurable impact.
Our Leadership Team: Tammy Brownlee – Founder & President, Sparkle Scott-Wilson – Secretary, Michael Durrett – Board Member, Breanna Stephen – Board Member, Valerie Allen – Board Member, Laticia Dezell-Holbert - Board Member, and Charles Edwards – Executive Director.
Youth Advisory Board coming soon!!
Real World Deliverables
Interested In Joining A Program?
Donate to PFC
Prime For Change is flipping the script on giving back - and your donation makes it all possible. From youth to workforce development and support services, we equip young deserving participants with the real-world tools they need to lead, earn, and own their future. Whether you give $1,000 or sponsor a teen’s full experience for $10,000, you’re investing in the next entrepreneur, educator, or CEO coming straight out of Chicago’s South Side. Donate today, because the future doesn’t fund itself (but you can help).
