About Us
The Forge Workforce Initiative empowers individuals to achieve sustainable careers through
accessible, high-quality training in high-demand industries. We are dedicated to building stronger communities by forging pathways between education, employment, and economic growth.
Forge was founded to create opportunity pipelines for underserved communities, helping individuals
gain skills for stable, long-term employment.
Mission Statement
FORGE empowers individuals t o build sustainable careers through hands-on training, mentorship, and industry-recognized credentials. Our mission is to bridge opportunity gaps by delivering pre-apprenticeship,apprenticeship, and workforce development programs that prepare youth, adults, veterans, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for thriving careers in construction, skilled trades, information technology, healthcare, hospitality, and green energy disciplines.
Core Values
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Empowerment - Equipping individuals to own their career journey
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Innovation - Creating forward-thinking solutions and partnerships.
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Collaboration - Connecting communities, industries, and institutions.
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Integrity - Acting with honesty, transparency, and accountability
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Growth - Committing to continuous learning and progress.
The Team
Willie Buckley
Co-Founder & Board Chair
Willie Buckley is a visionary entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and community leader dedicated to building equitable pathways for economic advancement. As Co-Founder of the FORGE Workforce Initiative, Willie leads efforts to equip youth and adults for sustainable careers in hospitality, construction, and healthcare—industries with the power to reshape communities and generational outcomes.
A proud Clark Atlanta University graduate and MBA in Marketing recipient, Willie’s career spans corporate marketing, brand strategy, and social impact entrepreneurship. He has launched and advised numerous ventures across Grand Rapids and Atlanta, including Pantlind House, a creative consultancy, and the Navigate Foundation, a national nonprofit providing workforce development and global exposure for young adults.
Willie’s personal mission is rooted in giving back to the neighborhoods that raised him—creating opportunities for others to achieve financial independence and career success. Through FORGE and his broader entrepreneurial work, he continues to merge culture, commerce, and community to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
Niambi Powell
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Niambi M. Powell serves as Executive Director of Forge, bringing deep expertise in workforce development, organizational strategy, and human capital systems. She is a former HR and Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leader at Ford Motor Company, where she partnered with manufacturing leaders to design scalable talent pipelines, culture transformation strategies, and skills-based workforce initiatives.
Dr. Powell holds a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, grounding Forge’s programming in evidence-based learning, behavioral science, and measurable outcomes that prepare high-school students for sustainable, in-demand careers.
Marcus Powell
Board Member
Co-owner, C&P Construction, LLC
Marcus Powell is an accomplished builder, educator, and mentor with over two decades of hands-on experience across carpentry, electrical, drywall, plumbing, and roofing trades.
As Co-Director of the FORGE Workforce Initiative’s construction sector, he co-leads the design and implementation of hands-on training programs that prepare youth for success in the skilled trades.
As co-owner of C&P Construction, LLC and a lead instructor for Maniac Mechanics, Marcus integrates technical mastery with an educator’s heart—guiding students through real-world build projects while fostering professionalism and confidence. Known for his integrity and craftsmanship, he continues to invest in community mentorship and apprenticeship pipelines that open doors to sustainable, high-quality careers.
Antonio Powell
Board Member
Antonio’s desire to make a difference led him to Wayne State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His education deepened his understanding of the systemic factors contributing to crime and violence in urban communities.
He later served as an officer with the Detroit Medical Center, working closely with gunshot wound victims and gaining firsthand insight into the cycles of violence impacting young people and families. This experience reinforced his belief that prevention and opportunity are just as critical as enforcement.
Antonio continued his work with the Detroit Police Department, where he investigated narcotics trafficking and witnessed the strong connection between addiction and violence. These experiences ultimately led him to found Maniac Mechanics, a nonprofit dedicated to providing youth with hands-on training, mentorship, and pathways to sustainable careers.