RX5 Cyber Guardian Program Graduates First Class
Atlantic City’s effort to become a cybersecurity hub took a major step forward as 28 residents graduated from the inaugural RX5 Cyber Guardian program—a workforce training initiative aimed at fighting cybercrime and creating economic opportunity.
ATLANTIC CITY – The RX5 Cyber Guardian inaugural class held its graduation on Friday, May 2, 2025, celebrating 28 residents who completed Low Voltage Electrical Workforce training through a Cyber Crime Reduction Program.
Now the students—many of whom were placed through the City of Atlantic City’s Re-entry Services Department—have certification to work in cybersecurity. The hope is that some, if not all, will be included in an upcoming citywide security camera installation project.
James Whitehead of the U.S. Humanitarian Aid Response Team Cares (U.S. HART Cares), the nonprofit organization that secured a $1 million grant for the program with help from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, said the students are now prepared to take on the world—if given the opportunity.
“This program is important for Atlantic City, and this program is important for America, because with all of the cyber threats out there, we want Atlantic City to be the first city in America to create a cyber triangle where people can come to get workforce training,” said Whitehead.
Raymond Tyler
Cybersecurity Vision with a Local Focus
Whitehead has shared his vision for more than a decade of making Atlantic City the new cybersecurity hub of America, similar to the research triangle in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, NC. The inaugural graduation could be the first step. “Ten years ago, I knew this would be a growth industry, so I said let’s get into this before the rest of America tries to get into it,” Whitehead said. “If we bring cybersecurity workforce training here first, the cybersecurity industry will follow, because they’re going to bring new business where the workforce is trained.”
Learning to Protect and Prevent
Students such as salutatorian Kai Warren hope Whitehead’s hunch is correct.
“Hopefully after this I will be able to pursue a career in cybersecurity and make America a lot safer,” said Warren. “I’m excited to work on e-commerce online, to protect banks and other lucrative trades taking place online. Because although AI is good, it can pose a huge threat.”
Warren said the 10-week class introduced students to a variety of skills, but one of the most inspiring sessions came from a CIA agent who taught them what it’s like to be on both ends of a hack—attacker and victim. “That gave me perspective because a lot of New Jersey residents are at risk from online scams, text message scams, and EZ Pass scams,” Warren said.
Growing Industry, Growing Opportunity
Whitehead compared his hunch to the early days of casino gaming. In those days, Las Vegas was the gaming destination of the West, while Atlantic City was the destination for the East. Now, gambling has expanded across the country. Whitehead said that if Atlantic City can dominate the training market as cybersecurity expands, there would be room for tremendous economic growth. “We can create some new Black millionaires in the process,” Whitehead said. “As we grow this economy, we’re going to make sure we have some of us at the table—at the front of the line—holding hands with our white brothers and sisters, our Jewish brothers and sisters, and our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters. Because we want to be millionaires too.”
On April 18, 2024, Whitehead announced that U.S. HART Cares would receive a $1 million grant for cybersecurity training. Haddon Antonucci, director of policy from Van Drew's office, and others were invited to the announcement at Whitehead's local office.
Raymond Tyler
Cybersecurity specialists have been called the new plumbers, welders, and electricians of the 21st century. They don’t need a four-year degree. However, they can command a living wage and find gainful employment after months—not years—of training. America needs to fill more than 5 million jobs in this emerging industry. That’s the message legislators and business leaders brought to the nation’s capital on Friday, March 22, 2024, during the “Bipartisan Congressional National Emergency RX5 Cybersecurity Initiative Forum.” Whitehead organized that meeting in Washington, D.C., and has long been a proponent of turning Atlantic City into a “cybersecurity hub by the sea.”
Mark Tyler
The Numbers Behind the Effort
Atlantic City Reentry Services Assistant Coordinator Kamau Johnson commended the students for their hard work.
“I want everybody to know, we successfully completed over 2,000 hours of classroom-related theory—2,160 hours, to be exact,” Johnson said. “As a team, we successfully completed over 800 hours of OSHA training—810 hours. All our Cyber Guardians got their OSHA 30 certifications and OSHA 30 cards. That’s when all our Cyber Guardians got their NCCER cards (National Center for Construction Education and Research), a credential that demonstrates a worker's skills and knowledge in the construction industry. Along with their OSHA cards, it makes them more employable,” Johnson said. “So when they leave here, they can go out and safely install cameras in our Atlantic City community.”
Dream Big and Stay Focused
Maryland Black Caucus Chairman Emeritus Darryl Barnes, a partner with Evans Barnes Associates and president of the Maryland Bi-County Business Roundtable, gave the keynote address. Barnes shared personal stories of challenges he’s overcome and encouraged students to build resilience.
“I don't want your circumstances to dictate your future, because I want you to dream—and dream big,” Barnes said.
He explained that growing up in Southeast Washington, D.C., his home was burglarized three times—twice while his family was inside. But he didn’t let that experience discourage him.
“I continued to dream and dream big about who I am and what I want to be,” Barnes said. “I would not let anyone stand in my way.”
His family moved from public housing to the suburbs, where he played basketball at High Point High School. In 1982, his team defeated Northwestern High School, which was led by Len Bias, a University of Maryland basketball star recruited by the Boston Celtics who tragically died of a drug-induced heart arrhythmia in 1986.
“I dreamed about who I could be as a basketball player and I’ve never wanted to give up,” Barnes said. “But I never let my circumstances dictate my future, and that’s what I say to all of you.”
Overcoming and Rebuilding
Barnes went on to Georgetown University, served as an engineer in the United States Navy, and later joined the United States Army, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
“I grew up in an era of drugs, crime, and prostitution—but I never said I was going to fall into that trap,” Barnes said. “I knew that I could be somebody.”
While in the Navy, he attended Long Beach State University, earning a degree in computer information systems before returning to Maryland. Still determined to work in sports, he became an agent representing NBA and WNBA players.
“And out of that, I said I wanted to also go into IT,” Barnes said.
He launched Precise Technologies Group, earning more than $300,000 in his first year, $600,000 in his second, and $3 million in his third.
“I say these things not to brag about who I am, but what you all can be,” Barnes said. “Regardless of who you are and where you are—you too have a dream. And it’s how you apply that dream that’s going to dictate who you are.”
Then tragedy struck.
“As I became this wealthy IT guy, the bubble burst. I lost everything,” Barnes said. “I was embarrassed because my name was on the outside of the building. We lost everything I worked so hard for. I filed for bankruptcy. I was broke.”
He bought a $500 car with no air conditioning at an auction.
“But I never let my circumstances dictate my future,” he said. “I said, I too will be somebody. I’m going to continue to pray, I’m going to continue to believe—because I know that this is only a test.”
Second Chances and Political Impact
Barnes said most people from challenged backgrounds have failed or wanted to quit.
“But I’m telling you today: do not let your circumstances dictate your future,” Barnes said. “You too can be somebody. Do not let what has happened in your life stop you from progressing.”
In his second act, Barnes continued to dream big and surround himself with positive people.
“If you show me your friends, I’ll show you your future,” he said. “The people you associate with are going to help drive the narrative of who you are.”
He rebuilt his company, restored his credit, and eventually ran for public office.
“I was the number one vote-getter in the state of Maryland when I ran for delegate,” Barnes said. “Why? Because I never let my circumstances dictate my future.”
He built relationships and became the longest-serving chairman of the Black Caucus in Maryland’s history. He also served as chief deputy majority whip and on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
“Some would say I was a bad-ass dude,” Barnes said. “But once again, I say that not to brag, but to show you the trials and tribulations I overcame to get where I am today—and that’s what I say to every one of you.”
Let Go of What Holds You Back
In closing, Barnes encouraged the graduates to let go of anyone who threatens their success.
“If no one is motivating you, then you need to leave them alone,” he said. “If no one is encouraging you, push them to the side. If all they want to do is get high and smoke weed and do disruptive things—leave them alone today.”
Barnes assured students that people in the community are ready to help them succeed.
“Today, you have an opportunity to create your own path,” he said. “If you don’t let your circumstances dictate your future, then I say your future is bright.”
Cyber Guardians of the Future
Whitehead said the graduation was only the beginning.
“We want Atlantic City to be the first city in America to create an environment—a cyber triangle—where people can get workforce training,” Whitehead said. “We’re training our workforce to be the new Cyber Guardians of America, the new data analysts of America, the men and women who can do the job it takes to keep America safe, keep Atlantic City safe, keep the healthcare industry safe, keep the financial industry safe, and keep the casinos safe.”
“This is how we plant the mustard seed in Atlantic City to be the greatest oceanfront city in America,” he said. “And it’s going to be based on technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.”
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