Be Pro Be Proud

What Be Pro Be Proud does

Be Pro Be Proud, Inc. is an Arkansas-registered nonprofit corporation founded in March 2016 by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. The organization operates a workforce development initiative designed to reshape perceptions of technical careers — in Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utilities — positioning them as options of first choice rather than fallback paths. It serves high school students as the primary audience, with secondary engagement of parents, educators, employers, and policymakers.

The organization's core product platform comprises three interlocking components: (1) a Mobile Workshop fleet (a second unit was added in September 2019) that physically travels to schools requiring a 120' by 50' parking footprint and delivers hands-on career exploration activities; (2) Draft Day events that strategically pair qualified students with employer partners for interviews and opportunities; and (3) a digital 'Join the Movement' talent network supported by 8 state-specific websites (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida). The organization has executed 3,213 tour stops across 1,524 cities and hosts an annual National Conference (2026 edition scheduled in Nashville, July 20-22).

The business model is sponsor- and donation-funded. Revenue streams consist of corporate partnership funding from skilled-trade employers and industry associations (e.g., Nissan, Meta, AT&T, Duke Energy, TVA, ExxonMobil, Freeport-McMoRan), alongside public donations accepted via the website. State-level operations are co-led by local chambers of commerce and foundations, including the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Associated Industries of South Carolina Foundation, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Foundation, N.C. Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation, Cherokee Office of Economic Development (Georgia), and the Alabama State Department of Education. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization is lean, with 1-10 employees, and is governed as a nonprofit with no parent company, VC investment, or public listing.

Name

Be Pro Be Proud

Legal name

Be Pro Be Proud, Inc.

Website

https://beprobeproud.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Be Pro Be Proud is a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 2016 that operates a workforce development initiative connecting U.S. high school students with skilled-trade careers in Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utilities through Mobile Workshops, Draft Day events, and an 8-state digital talent network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

Keywords

• Workforce development programs
• Skilled trades careers
• Career exploration services
• Technical education outreach
• Talent pipeline programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Partner/Sponsor Funding: The organization is funded by Partners which include technical programs and skilled trade employers. Partners provide funding to support the organization's Services. The organization discloses personal information to Partners with user consent as part of Services to connect students with training providers and employers.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website to support the workforce development mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Be Pro Be Proud is a nonprofit workforce development organization that changes perceptions about technical careers in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. It connects high school students with skilled trade career paths through Mobile Workshops, Draft Day recruitment events, and a multi-state talent network. The organization partners with employers, schools, and state chambers to build sustainable talent pipelines into high-demand trades.

Product overview

Be Pro Be Proud is a workforce development initiative designed to change perceptions about the pursuit of technical careers as options of first choice, not last resort. The organization operates a unified platform consisting of the Mobile Workshop (a traveling program that visits schools), Draft Day events (which pair students with employers), and the Join the Movement talent network. State-specific programs in 8 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida) deliver localized versions with tailored employer partnerships and training resources. The initiative champions careers in four industries: Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utility. The organization also hosts an annual National Conference and communicates with stakeholders through newsletters and SMS updates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Workshop
• Draft Day
• Join the Movement
• National Conference

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Build SubmarinesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024National partner operating submarine construction workforce initiatives in South Carolina and North Carolina. Supporter since July 2024 in North Carolina.
• Tennessee Valley AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Government corporation and Tennessee partner since February 2024, supporting workforce development in the Tennessee Valley region.
• Public Service Company of New MexicomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2023Major utility company and New Mexico partner since December 2023, supporting workforce development in the energy sector.
• Associated Builders and Contractors of New MexicomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 December 2023Construction industry association and New Mexico partner since December 2023, supporting workforce development in the building trades.
• ExxonMobilmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2023Major energy corporation and New Mexico partner since August 2023, supporting workforce development initiatives.
• NissancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor automotive manufacturer with significant Tennessee presence including Smyrna Assembly Plant and Decherd Powertrain Assembly Plant. Partner provides funding and connects with student talent for workforce pipeline.
• MetacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company operating as a National Partner supporting workforce development initiatives across multiple states including Tennessee, South Carolina, and New Mexico.
• Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState chamber of commerce that leads the Tennessee Be Pro Be Proud initiative. The initiative is described as being powered by the Tennessee Chamber.
• Associated Industries of South Carolina Foundation (AISCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation that leads the South Carolina Be Pro Be Proud SC initiative. An initiative of AISCF leading the movement to bring professionals to South Carolina's skilled workforce.
• New Mexico Chamber of Commerce FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation that co-leads the New Mexico Be Pro Be Proud initiative alongside the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.
• N.C. Home Builders Educational and Charitable FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation that leads the North Carolina Be Pro Be Proud initiative. The initiative is an educational and charitable effort to bring professionals to North Carolina's skilled workforce.
• Cherokee Office of Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development office that started the Georgia Be Pro Be Proud initiative. Led the original founding of the program in Georgia.
• Alabama State Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education department that powers the Alabama Be Pro Be Proud Alabama initiative. Be Pro Be Proud Alabama is powered by the Alabama State Department of Education.
• Arkansas State Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding organization that announced and launched the Be Pro Be Proud workforce initiative in March 2016. The initiative originated in Arkansas.
• AT&TmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational telecommunications company operating as a partner in Tennessee and South Carolina, supporting workforce development initiatives.
• Vulcan Materials CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor construction materials company operating as a partner in Tennessee and North Carolina, supporting workforce development in the aggregates and construction industry.
• Duke EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor energy company operating as a South Carolina partner, supporting workforce development initiatives in the energy sector.
• Freeport-McMoRan Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor mining corporation operating as a New Mexico partner, supporting workforce development in the mining and metals sector.
• TruistmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor financial services company operating as a North Carolina partner, supporting workforce development initiatives.
• WeyerhaeusermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor timber and forest products company operating as a partner in North Carolina and Georgia, supporting workforce development in forestry and manufacturing.
• HAASmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing equipment company (CNC machines) operating as a partner in Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, supporting workforce development in manufacturing technology.
• DaimlermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor truck manufacturer operating as a North Carolina partner, supporting workforce development in commercial vehicle manufacturing.
• Cat FinancialsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipment financing company affiliated with Caterpillar, operating as a Tennessee partner supporting workforce development in equipment and construction industries.
• American Home ShieldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome warranty company operating as a South Carolina partner, supporting workforce development in the home services industry.
• AltecsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipment manufacturer operating as a partner in Tennessee and North Carolina, supporting workforce development in construction and utilities equipment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Skills Coalition: National advocacy and policy organization focused on expanding skills-training and workforce development opportunities. Comparable workforce/skills-gap mission but operates as a policy/advocacy entity rather than direct program delivery.

Direct peers

• Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free technical skills training and career placement for adults from underserved communities. Comparable technical-career focus, employer-funded model, and talent-network structure.
• Junior Achievement USA: Youth-focused nonprofit delivering workforce readiness, career exploration, and financial literacy programs in K-12 schools nationwide. Directly comparable mission of preparing students for careers, with similar school-based delivery model.
• NCCER: National Center for Construction Education and Research — nonprofit delivering craft training, curriculum, and credentialing for the construction industry. Comparable workforce-development focus on construction trades and employer-aligned training pathways.
• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit connecting young adults with employer partners for training and career placement. Comparable target demographic (youth/young adults), employer-partnership revenue model, and outcome-driven mission.
• Generation You Employed: Global nonprofit providing skills training, mentoring, and job placement for youth facing barriers to employment. Comparable employer-funded model and outcome-driven mission targeting skilled career pathways.
• Build Your Future (BYF): Construction industry workforce development initiative focused on promoting skilled trades careers to young people. Directly comparable industry focus (construction/trades) and youth-targeted career awareness mission.
• SkillsUSA: National nonprofit serving middle-school, high-school, and college students preparing for skilled trades, technical, and skilled-service careers. Highly comparable mission, target audience, and employer-partnership model to Be Pro Be Proud.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BeProBeProudAR
• Xx.com/beprobeproudar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beprobeproud

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Be Pro Be Proud