Academy | The Black Futures

Futures Academy

Next Cohort: Spring 2026 | Central

Manchester

Futures Academy is an 8-week transformative education and empowerment programme designed to equip participants with essential life skills, financial literacy, career development and civic / cultural awareness that traditional education often overlooks.

Through interactive workshops, mentoring and community engagement, participants aged 16 and above build confidence, develop professional and creative skills and connect with a supportive network of Black professionals and changemakers.

Over the eight weeks, participants explore identity, purpose and vision, gaining a clearer sense of direction; develop financial literacy and wealth-building skills; strengthen their employability and career readiness; and learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and innovation. They also build confidence in tech and digital skills, improve wellbeing and emotional resilience, and gain leadership experience through civic and community engagement.

The programme concludes with a showcase and graduation ceremony where participants present their projects, celebrate their achievements and join the Black Futures alumni network. Each graduate leaves with a certificate, new professional connections, greater self-belief and the tools to pursue education, entrepreneurship and career opportunities.

What will be Covered?

Over an 8-week intensive program, participants will engage in practical, hands-on workshops, expert-led discussions, and community-building activities to prepare them for financial independence, career advancement, and personal growth, topic areas covered will include:

Financial Empowerment

Budgeting, Investing, Wealth-Building

Career Development

Job readiness, Networking, Breaking into underrepresented industries

Tech & Digital Skills

Learn Basics, Build Confidence,Get Hands-on

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Strategy, Growth, Creativity

Legal & Civic Knowledge

rights, advocacy, policy engagement.gain leadership experience through civic and community engagement

Life Skills

Wellbeing, Emotional resilience, relationship building

Benefits of Completing Futures Academy

Upon Successful completion of the 8 week programme, participants can expect to benefit from the following:

Showcase & Graduation Ceremony

Participants present their projects, to an audience of peers, mentors and industry experts and celebrate their achievements

Certificate

Each graduate is awarded with a certificate acknowledging their hard work and dedication. Leaving with greater self-belief and the tools to pursue education, entrepreneurship and career opportunities.

Priority Access to The Black Futures Alumni Network.

Participants gain access to new professional connections opening up a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for their future endeavours.