About Us

About Us

GardHouse is a non-profit organization that provides work-based programs for Black and Brown college students by leveraging partnerships with local companies, nonprofits, and government agencies to provide paid internships.

Founded 2019

GardHouse was established in 2019 by Jonathan Ryan Gardner after learning that students of color have been graduating from college twice as likely to be unemployed for the last 51 years. We began our work to dismantle barriers in Charlotte due to its upward economic mobility ranking of 50 out of 50, meaning those born into poverty lack opportunities to advance.


At the time of GardHouse’s inception, no work-based programs primarily focused solely on college students of color by leveraging minority-owned businesses or minority-led organizations to serve as the training hub for talent.

OUR MISSION AND Vision

Vision Statement

To eliminate the systemic barriers BIPOC college students face when seeking post-secondary employment upon graduation.

Mission Statement

To increase post-graduate employment opportunities amongst college students of color by maximizing work-based programming.

History

  • 2019

    Jonathan Ryan Gardner established GardHouse as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide work-based support to BIPOC college students in North Carolina. 

  • 2020

    GardHouse pivots its operations to meet the growing demand for internships across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 2021

    100% of GardHouse’s graduating seniors have been offered employment or acceptance into continued education. 

  • 2022

    GardHouse received national recognition for its impact on the community through Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Additionally, the organization increased its capacity to support its largest cohort of 40 interns by hiring its first full-time staff member.

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