Welcome!
This year, Made in Durham and our partners continued to open doors for young people to step into real opportunity. Through the BULLS Life Sciences Academy, 80 graduates built skills, gained confidence, and connected with leading employers such as Biogen, Merck, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly. More than 80 percent of participants identified as Black or Latino, with most between the ages of 18 and 23, showing our focus on preparing the next generation in Durham.
The impact is clear. Alumni who secured jobs are earning wages well above the local poverty line, spending those dollars in Durham, and creating momentum for future cohorts. With strong community partnerships and more employers joining in, we are helping young people build meaningful careers while strengthening the foundation of our region.
The work of Fiscal Year 2024–25 marked another year of strong alignment to Made in Durham’s Mission, Vision, and Purpose.
We made minor updates to these guideposts to reflect our institutional knowledge and emerging data on the importance of economic mobility to our constituencies here in Durham County.
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Made in Durham identifies and addresses gaps and barriers in Durham’s Education-to-Career system through new models of collaboration within our community.
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Made in Durham sees a future in Durham when multiple pathways to economic mobility exist for residents, a skilled talent pipeline exists for industry, and our whole community thrives.
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Made in Durham believes all Durham youth and young adults should have access and guidance to participate in the area’s economic prosperity.
BULLS is building momentum for MID’s Mission, Vision, and Purpose, and the results are clear.
The BULLS Life Sciences Academy remains our anchor pathway, with 80 graduates this year stepping forward with skills, confidence, and new career prospects. This progress is possible because of strong community partnerships and the steady work of MID staff who recruit, coach, and stand beside participants from enrollment through their next steps.
Community Engagement
Youth Engagement
Alumni and Corporate Engagement
BULLS Graduation Momentum (Percentage rates)
And in this past year, the BULLS momentum translated into success for students.
23/22
Cohort 9: Students Enrolled / Graduated
30/29
Cohort 10: Students Enrolled / Graduated
30/30
Cohort 11: Students Enrolled / Graduated
BULLS students represent Durham County.
C9-Ages
C11-Ages
C9-Ethnicity
C11-Ethnicity
C10-Ages
C10-Ethnicity
More students are starting careers.
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Graduates: 22
Employed: 6
Average Salary: $41,500
Total Cohort Y1 Wages: $243,000 -
Graduates: 29
Employed: 7 (1 missing wage entry)
Average Salary: $49,000
Total Cohort Y1 Wages: $331,000 -
Graduates: 30 —> 100%!!
Employed: 2 (no wage information reported at publishing)
Our C11 students graduated August 13, 2025, so we are working with them to raise the bar on employment and economic mobility in Durham County!
More employers have recently been hiring more BULLS Academy graduates.
Impact.
HIGHLIGHT: The BULLS Academy is ultimately about workforce development, but from a people perspective. At Made in Durham, we’re preparing Durham’s young people for careers and building a pipeline of talent to help regional companies compete and grow. Ami’s story is about opportunity, commitment, and impact.
Economic impact is happening, uplifting residents and boosting our local economy.
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Above the Poverty Line:
100% of employed BULLS Alumni earn at or equal to two times the Durham poverty threshold for single adults ($14,580) and families of three ($25,750)
Income Boost:
Eight (8) graduates from Cohort 9 are bringing in $360,000 combined annual wages in their first year. Two gradutes employed from C10 are earning a combined $84,000. -
Assuming a standard 80% local expenditure, the employed C9 Alumni from BULLS inject ~$288,000 into the Local Durham economy.
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Salary Growth:
The 5-year salary growth projection for employed BULLS Alumni is from $45,000 to ~$70,000.Paying it Forward:
We’re especially proud that on average, BULLS Alumni support the recruitment of 1-2 new participants.
Made in Durham strives to be a good steward of our resources. We are working to make all of our solutions sustainable.
Funding Mix
Spending Mix
Through it all, Made in Durham remains centered on the people of Durham County. Our collaborations involve young people, educators, community organizations, policymakers, and our core partners. The experience and journey of working together is part of building the foundation for economic mobility and organizational success across Durham County. And we can have fun along the way!
But you don’t have to take our word for it.
“BULLS provided the support and community I needed to succeed—weekly coaching and a stipend meant I could focus on learning, not just surviving.”
– Cohort 10 Graduate
“From my first meeting with Bulls Academy alumni, I was impressed by their drive and interest to be impactful in a role in the Life Sciences field. In the workplace, they’ve shown strong work ethic, leadership, and pride in being part of what we do at Carolina Components Group to support the Biopharma industry.”
- Adam Miller, General Manager Single-Use, Carolina Components Group
As we enter another year of we work, more than ever, we are:
Focused.
Our message: Through a new series of videos, the staff is explaining Made in Durham’s work. It’s not only strategic insights, effective programs, a great work culture, and measurable results. It’s all of the above. We’re translating our work into momentum for a year of unprecedented impact in our community.
We have an intentional organizational structure to promote strategic solutions to create pathways, advocacy, and capacity building in our community to strengthen Durham’s Education-to-Career system. We are working the plan set forth in our Mission, Vision, and Purpose.
As the lives of Durham’s young residents are changed, our commitment grows.
KEY TAKEAWAYS & ACTION ITEMS
OPPORTUNITY PATHWAYS
80+% participants from Black and Latino communities, with a majority aged 18 to 23
STRONG ANCHOR PARTNERSHIPS
Five top local firms hiring 60% of employed alumni, with a broadening network of 20+ employers
EMPLOYMENT MOMENTUM
Cohort 9’s 36% employment placement within two months of graduation signals increased recruit-to-hire timelines
ECONOMIC MOMENTUM
First-year wages and spending translate to significant local economic stimulus and upward economic mobility tracks for BULLS graduates
Of course, this work is not completed in isolation. We are grateful to our sponsors and partner organizations.
The 2024-25 Annual Impact Report for Made in Durham tells the story of the frontlines and the behind-the-scenes work making it happen. We’d be remiss if we did not highlight the support we receive, which is the lifeline to everything we do. Without our sponsors and partners, we could not create the impact we are seeing in our community. Thank you.
We’re grateful you’re here, too. Thanks for reading this far and your continued support of Made in Durham and helping Durham residents and businesses thrive.
Durham’s young people and their path to economic mobility remain at the heart of our work. This year’s progress shows what is possible when strong systems and partnerships come together. The lessons we have learned, paired with the results we are seeing, give us a clearer picture of how to make these outcomes standard for every cohort. What once felt like proof of concept is now building into a lasting model for success. None of this would be possible without the commitment of our partners, employers, funders, staff, and most importantly the students and alumni who continue to inspire and lead the way.
Until next time!
Send us an email: info@madeindurham.org