See the Inaugural AI Cohort in action during DC Startup & Tech Week on Tuesday, Oct 21 → REGISTER TODAY
Grow your skill set.
Build your network.
Launch your next chapter.
Hands-On Learning
Work on real projects, experiment with new tools, and translate ideas into practice in a way that feels immediate and useful.
Peer-Driven Community
Learn alongside peers who share your goals, trade insights in real time, and find the support that helps you keep moving forward.
Local Expert Network
Tap into mentors, practitioners, and leaders who know the terrain—people ready to share insights and open doors for you.
Current Programs
The Inaugural
AI Cohort
This experimental Cohort of ~50 displaced public servants is piloting The Upskilling Labs inside DC Public Library.
Over twelve weeks they’re building projects, testing new skills, and leaning on one another to reimagine what work can look like in the age of AI. Their journey is still underway, culminating in a public Demo Day on October 21 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
Open Coworking Days
Join us every Tuesday at MLK Jr. Memorial Library for DCPL's open coworking—inviting all community members to connect, learn, and build together in the great hall of Washington DC's central library from 12PM–5PM.
The AI Showcase @ DCSTW25
On October 21, The Upskilling Labs takes the stage at DC Startup & Tech Week for AI & The Future of Work—a live showcase of projects, people, and pathways shaping tomorrow’s economy at MLK Jr. Memorial Library.
The Labs' Inaugural AI Cohort is a living blueprint for a nationwide network built to catalyze communal lifelong learning that is most at home in your local public library.
"The program has been fantastic for exposure to AI tools and learning resources. As a social scientist, I had never worked with design thinking before, and this program has felt just as much about learning that approach as about learning to leverage AI. Overall, it has been incredibly informative and has helped me start translating my skills into the innovation and user research space.Just as valuable has been the mentorship and sense of community, as well as having a reason to get out of the house and focus on something beyond the job search."
Sara Head
AI Fellow, JourneyIQ
Inaugural AI Cohort
Washington, DC
"Joining the AI Upskill Cohort was a turning point in my transition out of federal service.At a time when I felt uncertain, the program gave me purpose again—it connected me with other mission-driven public servants to tackle real problems using emerging technology.I came in with limited AI experience, but The Upskilling Labs stretched my design thinking and showed me how AI can be an empowerment tool for people-first design and civic impact.What stood out most was the collaboration. Public servants brought their lived experiences and caring hearts into problem-solving, proving how much creativity and collective intelligence can make a difference in our communities and our country.During the program, I stepped into a new role as Lead UX Designer for Maryland’s Department of IT (DoIT), carrying forward the confidence, skills, and community this cohort gave me."
Hector Perla
AI Fellow, ADHD Brain
Inaugural AI Cohort
Washington, DC
"This AI Cohort of the The Upskilling Labs has been a transformative experience, giving me hands-on opportunities to apply AI in real-world problem solving while strengthening my technical and strategic skillset.Beyond the training, the program opened doors to meaningful networking and authentic connections with peers who share a passion for innovation. As a procurement executive, I found the mix of applied learning and collaboration invaluable in seeing how AI can reshape industries and create new opportunities. I'll leave the program more confident in leveraging AI to drive impact in my career and community."
Brittney Chappell
Pod Lead, FinLit Coach
Inaugural AI Cohort
Washington, DC
"I came in wanting to close my own technical gap as a Customer Success Manager, and I left realizing that gap is exactly where my strength lies—translating between tools, teams, and real user needs.Building FinLit Coach and leading the AI Resources Hub showed me that AI isn’t just about smarter apps; it’s about community, trust, and adoption—the human side of technology that makes long-term value possible."
Suzie Zhang
Team Lead, Learning & Development
AI Fellow, FinLit Coach
Inaugural AI Cohort
Washington, DC
Privacy
Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Dalmatian Partners LLC (doing business as "Levy") and the DC Public Library collect, use, and protect the information of individuals who visit or interact with the Upskill AI Cohort website (the “Site”).By accessing or using the Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
1. Who We Are
The Upskill AI Cohort is a program partnership between Levy and DC Public Library. Together, we are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting the information you share with us.
2. What Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information when you visit or engage with the Site:A. Information You Provide:Name, email address, phone numberProfessional or demographic details (if submitted through forms)Responses to cohort applications or interest formsAny communication you voluntarily send usB. Automatically Collected Information:IP address, browser type, operating systemPages visited, links clicked, and session activityDevice identifiers (for mobile or tablet users)We use cookies and analytics tools (like Google Analytics) to improve the performance and user experience of the Site.
3. How We Use Your Information
We may use the information we collect to:Review and evaluate applications for the Upskill AI CohortContact you about your participation or interest in the programShare relevant program updates or opportunitiesAnalyze website usage to improve our content and outreachMaintain the security and integrity of the SiteYour personal information will not be sold or shared with third-party marketers.
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information under the following conditions:Between Levy and DC Public Library for the sole purpose of program administration, reporting, and communicationWith service providers who support site functionality or communication tools (e.g., form builders, email platforms), under confidentiality agreementsAs required by law, including to comply with legal process or to protect rights, safety, or propertyWe do not sell your personal data or share it for advertising purposes.
5. Data Storage and Security
We implement commercially reasonable measures to protect your information from loss, misuse, or unauthorized access. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.Your data may be stored on secure servers operated by trusted third-party platforms used by Levy or DC Public Library.
6. Your Choices and Rights
You may:Request access to the data we hold about youRequest that we update or delete your dataUnsubscribe from communications at any timeTo make any such requests, please contact us at: [email protected]
7. Children’s Privacy
This Site is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date. Material changes will be communicated via the Site or directly to users if appropriate.
9. Contact Us
For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, you may contact:Levy (Dalmatian Partners LLC)
Website: https://www.withlevy.com
Email: [email protected]DC Public Library
Website: https://www.dclibrary.org
Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the Upskill AI Cohort website (the “Site”) operated in partnership by Dalmatian Partners LLC (DBA Levy) (“Levy”) and DC Public Library (“DCPL”). By accessing or using the Site, you agree to comply with these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.
1. Purpose of the Site
The Site provides information about the Upskill AI Cohort program and offers opportunities to express interest, apply, or engage with related content and resources. The program is a collaboration between Levy and DCPL and is designed to support AI literacy and workforce development in the Washington, DC region.
2. Eligibility
To use this Site or apply to the program, you must:Be at least 18 years old, or the legal age of majority in your jurisdictionProvide accurate and truthful information in all forms and communicationsAgree to abide by these Terms and all applicable lawsParticipation in the Upskill AI Cohort is subject to program capacity and selection criteria determined by Levy and DCPL.
3. User Conduct
By using the Site, you agree not to:Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent informationImpersonate another person or entityInterfere with or disrupt the functionality of the SiteAttempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Site or related systemsUse the Site for any unlawful or abusive purposes
4. Intellectual Property
All content on the Site—including text, graphics, branding, and other materials—is the property of Levy, DCPL, or their respective licensors and partners. You may not reproduce, republish, or reuse any part of this content without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.
5. Program Content & Participation
By applying or participating in the Upskill AI Cohort:You grant Levy and DCPL the right to contact you with program-related communicationsYou consent to the use of anonymized and aggregate data for program evaluation, improvement, and reporting purposesYou understand that participation does not guarantee employment, certification, or business outcomesWe reserve the right to suspend or remove participants for behavior that violates these Terms or disrupts the learning environment.
6. Links to Third Parties
The Site may include links to third-party platforms (such as event registration or communication tools). These platforms are governed by their own terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the content or practices of any third-party sites.
7. Disclaimer of Warranties
The Site is provided “as is” and “as available.” Levy and DCPL make no guarantees about the availability, accuracy, or reliability of the Site or program content. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Levy and DCPL are not liable for any damages arising from your use of the Site or participation in the program, including but not limited to indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
9. Modification or Termination
We may update or revise these Terms at any time without prior notice. We may also modify or discontinue the Site or program without liability. Continued use of the Site after any changes means you accept those changes.
10. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to conflict of law principles.
11. Contact Information
For questions or concerns about these Terms, please contact:Levy (Dalmatian Partners LLC)
Email: [email protected]DC Public Library
Website: https://www.dclibrary.org
The Inaugural
AI Cohort
This experimental Cohort of ~50 displaced public servants is piloting The Upskilling Labs inside DC Public Library.
Over twelve weeks they’re building projects, testing new skills, and leaning on one another to reimagine what work can look like in the age of AI. Their journey is still underway, culminating in a public Demo Day on October 21 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
Under Construction
Where experience meets emerging technology
and talent proves itself in real time
The Upskilling Labs is a civic prototype for workforce renewal: fast-moving, team-based environments where experienced professionals learn by doing, and employers meet talent at its sharpest.
On October 21 during DC Startup & Tech Week at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, our Inaugural Cohort—50+ professionals with federal-scale expertise, clearances, and advanced degrees—will showcase projects they’ve co-built over 12 weeks.This first cohort is laser-focused on AI: how it shapes daily work, how to use it responsibly, and how to close the digital divide. Every demo is a live experiment. Every conversation is proof of tacit knowledge applied to real challenges.Across it all, they are co-creating the foundations of The Upskilling Labs itself, piloting a model designed to scale in cities nationwide.The Upskilling Labs is bigger than one technology. It’s a community anchored in libraries and civic institutions, designed to help employers, ecosystem leaders, and professionals adapt together as the future of work accelerates.
Who You’ll Meet
AI Fellows with deep public-sector and adjacent expertise in complex organizations [mention of a few of the orgs and roles they held in the past], now applying AI in real projects such as [brief project descriptions]
Project managers, product managers, analysts, data ops, UX, comms, policy pros, and program leaders—ready to move.
High-agency professionals proving their skills in public, not just on paper.
How You Can Engage
Attend & Meet (free)
Walk the demo hall, join “Meet & Match” rotations, and connect directly with Fellows.
Talent Table (limited)
Host a 6’ table, showcase your team, and recruit face-to-face.
Event Snapshot
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 — 10:30-4:00
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington, DC
Demo showcase, short talks, and structured employer–Fellow match rounds
A DC Public Library & Levy partnership, piloted at MLK Jr Memorial Library, Washington, DC
In mid-June, The Upskilling Labs was just an idea. At the start of July, a full scale recruitment campaign was underway. In August, a 100+ person pilot began. Now, it's rapidly turning into a high-growth movement. All born from a partnership between DC Public Library and the strategic design firm, Levy.