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Emiliano Dunn says Duke Energy mini-grant helped expand STEM training in Oxford City
Summary
Emiliano Dunn, founder of AAA Corporation, says a Duke Energy mini-grant helped his nonprofit expand Cisco-accredited networking courses, youth robotics labs and outreach that has reached more than 600 students across Granville, Vance and Durham counties.
Emiliano Dunn, executive director and founder of AAA Corporation, said a Duke Energy mini-grant helped the Oxford City nonprofit expand local STEM and workforce training programs.
Speaking on Nextdoor Radio’s Local Talk from Tobacco Wood Brewing Company, Dunn described AAA Corporation as a Cisco Networking Academy that offers industry-recognized training pathways, youth robotics labs and media programs. "We've been able to reach over 600 students in Granville County, Vance County and Durham as well," he said, describing the mini-grant as a "catalyst" for outreach and engagement.
The program Dunn highlighted includes the Create Plus curriculum for youth podcasting, esports and digital media; a kids robotics lab that meets at the Granville County Cooperative Extension office; and Cisco-accredited introductory networking courses that prepare students for CCNA certification. Dunn said the organization used part of its award to upgrade its website and marketing to increase enrollment and awareness in rural communities that historically focused on agriculture, industry and health care rather than tech careers.
Host Trey, identified in the broadcast by the guest, noted that Duke Energy awarded $50,000 in total through a Vance Granville Community College Small Business Center program and that five local businesses received $2,500 each as part of the mini-grant awards in 2024; Dunn confirmed AAA Corporation was one of the recipients.
Dunn named several community partners and sponsors that support AAA Corporation's work, including the Vance Granville Small Business Network, local municipal offices, Courtney Phillips, Family Diner, Jersey Mike’s, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Freeman’s Barbershop, and Clean and Green Inc. He also thanked facilitation staff Brittany Wilkerson and Richard Mendenhall and said the Granville County Masonic Central Children’s Home and the Cooperative Extension office provide space for the robotics lab.
On keeping curriculum up to date, Dunn said his Cisco accreditation gives the organization access to the company’s education pipeline and that staff conduct ongoing research. He also described recent, widely reported cyber incidents in general terms: "We just recently had a cyber attack. I think billions of billions of people passwords and data was leaked," he said, phrasing the claim as his understanding of news reports rather than citing a specific source.
Looking ahead, Dunn said AAA Corporation will roll out fall offerings that include a data analytics program, an AI research track, a Granville County 4‑H community robotics club and a solar tech program intended to build panels and explore local energy-preservation and charging-station opportunities with the city. He added the nonprofit provides laptops and internet access to residents in need and gave contact details for enrollment and support: www.aa8corp.org; email e.dunnton@aa8corp.org; phone (984) 288-2240.
There were no formal votes or municipal actions discussed on the broadcast; the segment ended with the host thanking Dunn and closing the program.
