Nolan White and Devin Gatewood, two of four black teens that were handcuffed and detained for selling water in Washington DC without a permit, are on the road to a new career thanks to the H.O.P.E. project.
According to WJLA 7 News in DC, Raymond Bell of the H.O.P.E. projects says he first became aware of the youths when the story went viral. Angered by the incident but impressed by their entrepreneurial spirit, Bell is taking the youths under his wing and teaching them about information technology.
“I’m an entrepreneur myself and I love seeing young people having an interest in working for themselves,” said Bell.
“We hope to be bringing them on board as iPhone screen technicians here at H.O.P.E. Project,” said Bell.
“I just want to thank the guy who took the picture, but without him, none of these opportunities would have been possible,” said White.
According to the website Bell started the H.O.P.E. project in 2009, to combat the high unemployment rate in the community. White told the WJLA he plans on reaching out to the other detained teens.