Long Beach City Councilmember Daryl Supernaw, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Offices of Senator Lena Gonzalez and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal joined more than 50 other business and community leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 31, 2024 — EXP – The opportunity engine celebrated its grand opening at its new location in Long Beach (5000 East Spring Street, Suite 300) among its board of directors, long-time supporters, and Long Beach business and community leaders, including Long Beach City Councilmember Daryl Supernaw, Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Membership Natalie Leighton, Mia Hernandez-Perez from the Office of Senator Lena Gonzalez, and Clayton Heard from the Office of Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal.

“We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to explore their passions and potential career paths,” says Mary Tran, CEO of EXP. “As we make our Long Beach our new home, we are excited to work hand in hand with local schools and businesses to unlock doors of opportunity for the youth, empowering them to shape their futures.”

Since its inception in 1999, EXP has been a beacon of hope for underserved high school students, preparing them for success in college and careers. The organization's collaborative efforts with high schools across Southern California have provided students with invaluable opportunities to explore diverse career paths. These include career discovery events, paid internships, job shadowing, mentorship, and comprehensive career-readiness workshops like resume building, mock interviews, and financial literacy.

“On behalf of the 4th Council District, I congratulate EXP on their grand opening,” Councilmember Daryl Supernaw said during the ribbon cutting. “Thank you for your service to the local community, and I wish you great success. And since you’re in the fourth district, our motto is, ‘Go fourth!’”

In an age where the future of the American economy hinges on innovation and a skilled workforce, the importance of creating robust talent pipelines cannot be overstated. High school internships are emerging as pivotal tools, offering many benefits to students, educational institutions, and employers. EXP recognizes this need and is committed to empowering the youth by facilitating direct connections with various industries to ensure a prosperous and equitable future.

Investing in high school career readiness is crucial for the future of the American economy. EXP’s programs address the industry’s skills gap by preparing students for high-demand careers. EXP strives to create a symbiotic relationship where students gain real-world exposure while local enterprises benefit from fresh perspectives and talent. By partnering with local high schools and businesses in Long Beach and across Southern California, companies benefit from a steady stream of talent, access to our extensive network, and the opportunity to contribute to a more equitable and dynamic economy.

About EXP

EXP is a Southern California 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that believes every student should have equal access to education, experiences, and career opportunities to help them reach their full potential. By bringing industry and schools together to build tomorrow’s workforce and provide career opportunities to students from underserved communities in Southern California, EXP’s vision is to prepare students for a better life through its programs that help young people gain experience, unlock doors, and build the confidence they need to succeed in school, career, and life. During the 2023-2024 school year, EXP programs were made available to nearly 8,400 high school students at 14 Southern California high schools across four school districts and select OC Pathway schools.

Media contact: Oakley Boren, Director of Marketing, oakley@expfuture.org