Traci Harris' ensemble: Eggplant dress with cutout necklace, and tan and black pumps from Urban Outfitters. Wood pendant necklace, ball stud earrings and ear cuff from Icing. Brass and wood dome rings, above right, that she bought at street festivals. Betsey Johnson gold and black tiger face print envelope clutch, above left, from now-closed Metropark. ( Karen Jackson/photos for the Baltimore Sun )
Traci Harris, 32, got high grades for her great style at the Greater Baltimore Urban League's Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala. But there was another A-plus the Hampden-area resident was celebrating that night. Harris was one of the first graduates of the A+ certification program — a Save Our Future workforce development program launched in September by GBUL in partnership with Digit All Systems — which offers training and certification in computer and cellphone repair, as well as job-readiness and life skills.
“The whole reason for me being at the gala is to tell more people about it. Because [not] enough people realize the resources the Urban League has,” she said.
While Harris readies for the next step — Network Plus certification training at Baltimore City Community College — she is using her skills and talents in her business. Trai Chic Designs and Services offers IT repair and personal styling, a particular passion of hers. It's something she said she couldn't have pursued if not for the GBUL.
“It gave me an opportunity to do something I was afraid to do before. The Urban League means opening doors,” she said.
HER STYLE: “It flows from electronic rage to librarian. Today, I am a conservative mom [of 2-year-old Evan Harris-Robinson], which is smack dab in the middle of all that.”
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