Lazaro now feels more ready to complete his community college program.  He was referred to Youthful Impact through our partner, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI),  not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants.

Growing up in Kenya, Lazaro developed a passion for photography, teaching himself without the help of professional equipment. Over five years, his work gained widespread recognition, earning him nearly 1 million Instagram followers. He specialized in portrait photography, mastering natural settings and poses, which sparked a deeper interest in videography. This led him to expand his knowledge in photo and video editing software, as well as in essential tools like lighting and camera lenses.

Now, as an aspiring studio owner, Lazaro is focused on sharpening his business and media skills. A recent project editing a Youthful Impact cohort video has strengthened his technical abilities, while courses in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and E-commerce have provided him with valuable business strategies. One course, “From Likes to Leads: Interact with Customers Online,” was especially helpful in understanding website and social media metrics, giving him insights into audience engagement and data analysis.

Lazaro continues to refine his media skills while contributing to the program through video production, photography, and web design. Looking ahead, he is excited to use his expertise to promote his own business and support others in the community. As an advocate for digital marketing, Lazaro encourages his friends to join Youthful Impact and is eager to help them build their online presence and create stores to grow their ventures.

Imagine many more new Americans, like Lazaro, who are capable digital marketing specialists contributing to their communities with their tech skills. Empower young people to learn digital marketing and open doors for tech-savvy entrepreneurs ready to take charge of their stories and careers.

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