History

MC² Technology, Inc was conceived, and has been developed, in memory of and in honor to, two outstanding women, Sam Cephas’s mother, Myrtle Cephas, whose initial creative dream has become Sam’s ongoing energizing work, and Apostle Wadie Lanier of Hartford’s New Temple of God Deliverance Church, in Unity Plaza, Hartford, who has been a powerful moving force in its implementation for over 10 years until her death, July 2011. Mr. Cephas has focused his energies primarily, though not solely, in Hartford, especially Hartford's north end. After initially creating and implementing the idea of providing technology training for north end youth - initially from 2001 to 2005 with 5th, 6th, and 7th graders, and from 2006 to 2014 with 9th-12th graders - it seemed appropriate that a “North End Learning Corridor” be established. MC² presented this idea to the Hartford City Council and approached the Hartford public school system about a technology and performing arts complex in Hartford's north end. It went to Weaver high school suggesting that a technology laboratory be built at the school. It approached Kingswood Oxford school suggesting that educational bridges be built between West Hartford and Hartford youth. From 2015 to present, MC² has been to Waterbury CT to partner with New Opportunities, Inc., to provide tutoring for low-income families. This partnership also aims to expose kids to areas of business and the arts 

 

MC² ultimately established a youth-at-risk program with the New Temple of God community-based church, off Barbour St, which grew into a mentoring/tutoring agency and then expanded into after-school programming, scholarship assistance, life choices and apprenticeship opportunities. Mentoring/tutoring up to 30 youth per year from this location the program also discovered the great need to distribute food to some of the families whose children were involved in the program, to occasionally provide clothing, to monitor family health needs, to provide a location where kids could feel safe and accepted. Over the course of the past 20 + years, 700 students were served by the program. These students participated in special Thanksgiving and Christmas events for the poor of the neighborhood. The largest “health fair” held in the north end was organized and sponsored by MC² in conjunction with the New Temple of God Church. Over 1000 names were gathered on petitions going door-to-door, supporting the idea of the “North End Learning Corridor.” Social service work, crisis support, nutritional support - all grew out of the initial emphasis on working directly with 30 to 40 youth per year, through the church. Contact with many of these specific youth continue to this day.

 

Partnerships, of all kinds have begun from these beginnings. Working relationships have been established with colleges through staff personnel at UConn, ECSU and MCC, CCC and community agencies have pledged support as programs have grown; discussions have taken place with the CT technical school system, support is being given by professionals in various fields. Legislators and other government officials, local NRZ's, and corporate contacts have offered assistance as programs evolve.