Build your next workforce with BlackMuse.

BlackMuse developed a multi-site Pre-ETS delivery model designed to reach students where they already learn and receive support — including traditional schools, alternative education programs, therapeutic schools and residential settings.

Across documented records, BlackMuse reached 162 students across 11 school and community-based sites, with 116 students completing documented services and more than 406 documented student-hours of programming. Approximately 32% of participants with completed services returned across multiple program periods — the model supported continued engagement rather than one-time exposure.

At Lincoln High School, BlackMuse also demonstrated the administrative systems publicly funded workforce programming requires: in the May 2026 cohort, 20 of 20 participants had documented consent, DVR status and VRC approval.

BlackMuse's California work began with a structured pilot serving 75 students across three Compton-area schools, with 25 students at each participating site. Students explored virtual reality, game design, robotics, digital products and entrepreneurship rather than simply consuming technology.

The relationship expanded into additional California school systems and communities, including Lynwood, Paramount, Moreno Valley and Rio School District. At Paramount, BlackMuse operated across Jackson Middle School, Zamboni, Paramount Park and Alondra; at Moreno Valley sites, programming expanded into VR, game development and robotics for elementary-age students.

When budget constraints later paused a future Paramount expansion, Think Together leadership reaffirmed the partnership and looked forward to continuing work together in Paramount and other districts.

BlackMuse wanted student projects to end with more than a completed assignment. Students developed games, robots and creative ideas, then prepared them for a cross-state Youth Shark Tank Competition.

Students worked on collaboration, presentation skills, creative problem-solving and entrepreneurship before presenting their ideas in a Shark Tank-style showcase to families, partners and supporters.

The June 2026 event connected student teams from Washington and California and included a $500 student prize pool: $300 first, $150 second, $50 third.

BlackMuse's individual workforce-development work extends beyond classroom instruction. Documented records show 10+ DVR/CRP participants moving through referrals, authorized services, career exploration and placement-development activities across 8+ service pathways — informational interviews, job shadows and tours, workplace-readiness training, work-based learning, trial work experiences, OJT and job-placement development.

The model begins with the participant's actual career interest. For one participant interested in networking, IT help desk and server maintenance, BlackMuse's work-based learning plan covered identifying the employer site, helping address transportation, gathering employer feedback and completing a post-experience debrief.

Another participant interested in robotics and technology completed an informational interview with the CEO of Takamori Robot, with follow-up designed to help determine whether robotics remained the right employment direction. BlackMuse sits between the participant, the public agency and the employer — and has worked as part of the Pierce County Pre-ETS team to provide workplace readiness, self-advocacy, work-based learning, community-based assessment and OJT opportunities.