PPCI is dedicated to revitalizing neglected urban spaces into hubs of renewable energy, green infrastructure, and economic opportunity while breaking down systemic barriers to success in the skilled trades.
We aim to create accessible, equitable workforce pathways that empower individuals—particularly Black and Brown young adults, women, veterans, and those impacted by the justice system—to secure stable, well-paying careers in the electrical trade and beyond.
Power Pathways: Opening Doors to the Electrical Trade
Our inaugural initiative, Power Pathways, is a pre-apprenticeship and workforce development program designed to prepare individuals for careers in the electrical trade. The program offers:
Study Sessions & Exam Prep – Preparing participants for the IBEW Local 134 aptitude test, a crucial first step toward an apprenticeship.
Hands-on Industry Exposure – Connecting participants with experienced electricians and trade professionals.
Financial & Wraparound Support – Addressing barriers such as transportation, stipends, and mentorship to help individuals succeed.
Community Wealth Building – Providing entrepreneurial pathways for those who may not take the union route, ensuring access to multiple career options in the trade.
PPCI is also laying the groundwork for future projects, including urban solar farms that will create clean energy, local jobs, and sustainability-focused workforce training opportunities.
The skilled trades have historically been a gateway to economic stability, yet systemic barriers have excluded many Black and Brown workers from accessing these opportunities. PPCI is committed to reversing this trend—providing education, support, and direct pathways into high-paying, sustainable careers.
By investing in workforce development and urban revitalization, we are building a stronger, more inclusive Chicago—one where community members don’t just live in their neighborhoods, but thrive in them.
Our Story
Power of People Community Initiatives (PPCI) was founded in 2024 with a vision to transform underutilized urban spaces into thriving hubs of economic opportunity, renewable energy, and workforce development. Built on the legacy of skilled trades and community-driven progress, PPCI is committed to providing pathways to prosperity for historically underrepresented communities in Chicago.
Inspired by the generational impact of trade careers, particularly in the electrical industry, PPCI was co-founded by siblings Tatyerra Spurlock-McPherson and Terrell Spurlock Jr., alongside Henry Johnson. Their motivation stems from the work of Terrell Spurlock Sr., a longtime electrician and business owner who has spent decades mentoring and employing individuals in the electrical trade. Seeing firsthand how the skilled trades created financial security for their own family, they launched PPCI to extend these opportunities to more people—breaking barriers, building wealth, and revitalizing communities.