10 Reasons to Support Local Grassroots Efforts to close STEM Access Gap

STEM Saturday is a project I’m passionate about and I really believe we can do a ton to impact our local black and brown students right here in the Bay Area.

1. We live in “one valley, two worlds divided by race”. This a quote San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo made at the My Brother’s Keeper Education Policy Strategy event last week and it’s so true. It shouldn’t be the case that there are so few FREE, ongoing STEM educational opportunities for students, but that is our reality.

2. If not you, then who? No, really. We have to care about our community if we want to see #blackexcellence thrive.

3. Progress is magical. We believe that making progress through action beats waiting for perfection to somehow emerge. As a grassroots effort, we often feel like we are building the bicycle as we ride it. But we are learning from each advancing step and we are already seeing much more change than we ever believed was possible before we began.

4. Black STEM role models encourage and inspire students. The Onyx community right here is FULL of brilliant conscious and driven black people that have to power to inspire so many kids in this area that do not have people in their lives in STEM.

5. STEM is the future. Employment in occupations related to STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — is projected to grow to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022.

6. There is a pipeline issue when it comes to access to STEM education. Which is to say that if you are black and brown, it is more likely than not that your school lacks an assortment of STEM classes and AP classes like Computer Science and Calculus.

7. Money should not be a barrier to STEM enrichment. Most private programs charge fees which limits participation for many parents who can’t afford them.

8. Giving to one organization does not have to be an either/or proposition. We partner with other organizations to help our collective desire to better our community.

9. We believe community supported learning. Every student needs a champion and we want to create a team of champions dedicated to helping them succeed.

10. Shared passion is infectious. Learning spreads through social groups. Just as the kids are learning, we learn and find inspiration through our community.