FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2026
Battle Plan has been working alongside the City’s Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity as the accelerator’s cohort begins its six-month run
BIRMINGHAM, AL — As of April 2026, Battle Plan has joined forces with the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity as a partner on the Birmingham Workforce Partners Accelerator, the City’s newly launched initiative to help local nonprofits, startups, and community organizations turn their workforce programs into something scaled and fundable.
The cohort officially kicks off this month and runs through December, closing out with a Demo Day where participating organizations will pitch in front of City leadership, funders, and community partners. Battle Plan is stepping into this work in three capacities: supporting the design of the overall program and curriculum, serving as the key program manager for the project, and advising the City’s team on the shape and direction of the program itself.
“The Birmingham Workforce Partners Accelerator was created with one goal in mind: to empower the organizations already doing meaningful work in our communities with the tools, strategy, and support needed to create lasting workforce impact,” said Erika M. Dix, Manager of Workforce & Talent Development for the City of Birmingham. “We recognized that many mission-driven organizations have innovative ideas and deep community trust but often lack access to the infrastructure, partnerships, and technical guidance needed to scale their vision. Through this accelerator, we are intentionally investing in local leaders and solutions that can help remove barriers, connect residents to opportunity, and strengthen Birmingham’s workforce ecosystem from the ground up.”
THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COHORT
The accelerator drew nonprofits, startups, and community-based organizations headquartered in Birmingham or serving Birmingham residents as their core population, spanning a range of sizes and stages of growth. Their programs connect to one or more of the City’s priority sectors:
- Information Technology
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Construction Trades
- Healthcare
- Professional Services
- Transportation & Logistics
The City built the program with particular attention to organizations rooted in East Lake, Ensley, Five Points West, Fourth Avenue/Civil Rights District, North Birmingham, Smithfield/Elyton, Titusville, and Woodlawn.
WHAT THE NEXT SIX MONTHS LOOK LIKE
From now through December, the cohort will move through:
- Monthly in-person sessions in Birmingham
- Virtual coaching and peer learning
- Program design and outcomes frameworks
- Partnership readiness and compliance support
- Data collection and evaluation tools
- Grant writing and funding strategy
- Operations and budget planning
- A final Demo Day showcase and pitch competition before City leadership, funders, and community partners
Battle Plan is glad to be in the room for this stretch of work and looks forward to Demo Day this December.
About Battle Plan Strategic Consulting
Battle Plan is a boutique consulting firm that partners with nonprofits, foundations, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen operations, build internal systems, and support program execution. Since 2020, our work has centered on translating vision into practice by building the infrastructure, documentation, and accountability structures that allow programs to run well and sustain over time. From governance structures and operational workflows to financial management and project delivery, the firm’s approach is rooted in clarity, discipline, and long-term impact. Battle Plan helps mission-driven organizations build the systems that make meaningful work sustainable and scalable. Learn more at www.battleplansc.com.
About The City of Birmingham Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity:
The Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity leads the City of Birmingham’s efforts to strengthen the local economy and expand opportunities for residents, including through workforce development initiatives such as the Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator.
Media Contact
Battle Plan Strategic Consulting
Email: info@battleplansc.com
Web: www.battleplansc.com
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