Google supports NAACP’s STEAM education program with $3 million donation
World tech giant Google is investing in the lives of Black youths who desire to pursue a career in tech. The official statement released by NAACP states that it has received a $3 million grant from Google to support initiatives surrounding STEAM education amongst youth.
It was reported that the donation will span across three years and more, and will financially back the nonprofit’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program. The initiative aims at creating a learning and developmental environment for black high school students to prepare them for careers in science and technology.
The year-long program guides participants in bringing their ideas, visions germane to STEAM, business, performing, humanities and visual and culinary arts from the idea stage to the execution stage. Students share their concepts in national competitions. Since the conception of the initiative, over 300,000 students have been served.
Commenting on the grant, NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, says the donation will be crucial in expanding the program’s reach and training the Next-generation of Black STEAM leaders. “This funding and volunteer support will aid our outstanding youth, who exemplify artistic and scholastic achievement, to continue to pursue their passions free from obstacles. We are delighted to continue this tradition and ensure all of our students have access to mentorship in STEAM careers.”
The management at google.org is delighted about the alliance with ACT-SO. “We are aware that 65% of students will work in careers that haven’t been discovered yet, so programs like ACT-SO that are preparing, recognizing, and rewarding African American students are significant to ensure that students have equal opportunity to be innovators and culture makers,” said Google.org Director Justin Steele.
It was reported that google.org disburse over $100 million in grants yearly in support of organizations focused on innovation and technology, with the mandate of awarding $1 billion in grants by 2022.
