West Michigan Environmental Action Council’s Post

Let’s Be Real It is no secret that education is underfunded. The plight of black Colleges is the most glaring example of this situation. Policy makers perpetuate the practice and organized altruism follows suit. The result has worthy community-based organizations approaching funding requests with hats in hand with less than assertive statements of need. The sad result in too many instances is, boots are supplied without bootstraps when STEM programs for the most of those in need are “winnowed” down. The small grant mentality most be overcome by funding to succeed instead of just enough to fail. Underfunding STEM education will keep the next generation of children less prepared than their counterparts in other parts of the world and our economy at risk of being overwhelmed by nations we compete with. The effect is grass-root groups and start-up education ventures being challenged to do more with less. So, we will watch the underfunding continue and accept the resulting mediocracy.

Due to overwhelming demand, the application deadline for Cleantech and Sustainability and Female Founders in STEM programs have been extended! Here’s what you need to know: 🔸Cleantech and Sustainability application deadline extended to Feb. 16 What you can expect from the Cleantech program: - How to define your sustainability focus, including setting objectives and metrics. - How to target different funding options as a sustainable business. - How to target sustainability-focused customers (i.e., understanding the difference between sustainability and traditional customers). 🔸Female Founders in STEM application deadline extended to Feb. 19 What you can expect from the STEM program: - A curriculum that addresses the barriers, specific needs and business challenges in STEM. - Support for Black women in transition from academia or STEM-based careers into business ownership.  - Comprehensive learning through 10 modules that blend lectures and workshops.  - Investor pitch readiness and access to STEM-focused resources, government procurement assistance, and more. - Elevate your business with the Elevate Black Business Project. Link in bio.

Did you know, when you support Techbridge Girls you help us to equip educators by providing turnkey, ready-to-present programming, as well as material kits for all students in their TBG classroom? Techbridge Girls’ gender-responsive and culturally relevant STEM curricula, program kits, and educator training equip educators to deliver hands-on, award-winning quality STEM curricula in their schools and communities. Aligned with National Generation Science Standards (NGSS), our program framework draws on girls’* interests and lived experiences and ensures they see themselves reflected in STEM fields’ past, present, and future. Only 10 days left to make your 2023 tax-deductible donation to Techbridge Girls. Your gift supports our efforts to tap into the brilliance and limitless potential that the population of girls most often left out of STEM can contribute to our communities and world. Support belonging in STEM spaces for a brighter, more equitable, future for all. Follow the link to make your gift today: https://lnkd.in/dsY-m3Zm. * Techbridge Girls (TBG) serves Black, Indigenous, and all girls of color, which includes cis girls, trans youth, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary youth who experience(d) girlhood and economic insecurity as a part of their journey.

Due to overwhelming demand, the application deadline for Cleantech and Sustainability and Female Founders in STEM programs have been extended! Here’s what you need to know: 🔸Cleantech and Sustainability application deadline extended to Feb. 16 What you can expect from the Cleantech program: - How to define your sustainability focus, including setting objectives and metrics. - How to target different funding options as a sustainable business. - How to target sustainability-focused customers (i.e., understanding the difference between sustainability and traditional customers). 🔸Female Founders in STEM application deadline extended to Feb. 19 What you can expect from the STEM program: - A curriculum that addresses the barriers, specific needs and business challenges in STEM. - Support for Black women in transition from academia or STEM-based careers into business ownership.  - Comprehensive learning through 10 modules that blend lectures and workshops.  - Investor pitch readiness and access to STEM-focused resources, government procurement assistance, and more. - Elevate your business with the Elevate Black Business Project. Link in bio.

Equity. So we will absolutely talk about how much further we are in American Racism, and continue to read about the "1st Black, 1st Brown, 1st Woman, 1st Person who experiences disability, 1st person who identifies as, etc". We will say, See..."Let's look at the bright side, let's see the progress!" "You need to disrupt, only you have to be compliant and complacent in the system in order to get in the door, to disrupt it" Right! LMAO AND TODAY, Black and Brown students in higher education have to connect, find support, constantly assess who is "Safe" to talk to, who can relate to their experience, "talk secretly" about their experiences, microagressions, "getting by just get through it", "minding my business because it's not worth it, "stay to myself and just do my work" ... ALL WHILE missing out on SOOOO much of the purpose of Learning, Connection, Exploration, Changing, Growing... Wheewwwh those focus groups will be FIRE! Research topic anyone? OH wait. NOT just students, but BLACK Faculty! Black faculty, particularly Black Women, have to "secretly" align, form support groups, have meetings and "coffee and tea" to debrief, process, release their institutional crap, the microaggressions, the attacks from students if they don't like you addressing racial undertones of a thing. ALL While missing the FULL opportunity to experience Humanity in its fullness of learning, giving, serving... YET...in the research, approaches, frameworks, science, etc constantly make money off telling the deficit, the lack, the problems, only addressing the "problems"...funding is often missing from TRUE prevention, from disrupting, dismantling. How about funding go towards dismantling and rebuilding the foundation/system. How about funding go towards what's going RIGHT and lift that UP, give dollars to THAT, increase those things...and see how folk thrive in THAT. Honoring the stories of the experts of their own experiences. AND LAAWWWD Don't have any sense of confidence, using your voice, asking questions, calling a thang a thang...then it's a "concern" or "problem". Then you get on the "watch list". Across the Nation, in various programs, anywhere, almost everywhere... EVEN while there are emails, equity statements, notices, services and such that says...we want to ensure you feel safe, we want to support you, we want to, we recognize that, .... We talk about how we need MORE science and research to take action. And I watch how many "BILLION" dollar movies, "Billion dollar" entertainment, and such are spent and PROFITTED FROM, yet we can't eradicate hunger, poverty, poor health, inequity, huh? And then.... same ole, same ole. It's like Pinky and the Brain....

In a world where trends come and go, how do you ensure your organization's value endures? Let's talk about navigating the shifting landscape of DEI initiatives and uncovering your timeless worth. Be fluid enough to flow with trends, but stable enough to stand on your organization's impact once the trend passes. After the pandemic, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts became a focus for many organizations and companies. The world sought to embrace diversity. However, you may have noticed that DEI funding efforts seem to be on the chopping block these days. During a recent 𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘔𝘺 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, a service I offer to help leaders refine their strategies a client asked, "With DEI on the chopping block, how do I frame our unique value proposition?" I reminded her that before DEI was ever a trend, her organization already had inherent value. My friend, what you do every day for your community through your organization is invaluable. LISTEN UP… Anything you do that serves people is 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘! Don't let funding, or lack thereof, dictate the value you bring to people's lives. (Can I get an amen?) This client serves Black doctorate-level women by exposing them to career opportunities and supporting them throughout their doctorate journey. I explained that race and ethnicity are just one aspect of her value proposition and not even the most important one. I helped her understand that there were several angles she could use as selling points to sponsors, highlighting the value of investing in her organization's work. I assured her that she was the SOLUTION to their problem. 1️⃣ By equipping these highly educated individuals, she's providing a solution for company HR teams to identify and hire qualified talent, ultimately helping companies meet their goals. 2️⃣ She's exposing undergraduate students to graduate schools, creating a pipeline for institutions to maintain enrollment numbers. This means more revenue for schools and serves as a selling point for prospective students. 3️⃣ She's advancing racial equity in Doctoral education. That's HUGE! Her community boasts over 3,400 students from 247 doctoral institutions across the country, with a 100% retention rate for program mentees in Sista Circles. This SCREAMS influence and demonstrates a vital need that keeps Black doctoral students engaged in a community where they feel seen and supported. Sometimes you have to think outside the box about your value, but often it's sitting right in front of you. Remember, your value isn't in following trends – it's in the lives you change. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿. 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿! #ValueProposition #BlackDoctorate #Education #DEI #Sponsorships

"By the age of 25, I didn't see the point in getting involved in public OR community projects and wanted to focus solely on business. But just five years later, I was leading a community of over 5,000 female entrepreneurs, launching IT training for 11,000 children, and mentoring 85 young professionals," shares Alina Shcherbyna, head of STEM IS FEM and the Generation UA Foundation. Reflecting on her experience, Alina highlights several key insights: ▪️ In the nonprofit sector, it's not the budget that defines the quality of a project, but the impact it creates. ▪️ Invest in young talent — while they may require guidance at first, you'll eventually gain a motivated, creative professional. ▪️ The civic sector enhances communication skills, helping you connect even with tech company founders. ▪️ Working with children is challenging, but the results are incredibly rewarding. Learn more about the importance of civic engagement for career growth, and the new course from STEM is FEM in Alina Shcherbyna's column: https://lnkd.in/efDf4daw

Have you ever wondered how afterschool leaders incorporate community engagement and STEM into programming? To what degree are youth involved? How these programs are designed, implemented, assessed, and funded? A new report from Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society aims to answer those questions and better understand the current landscape of programming at the intersection of STEM, civic engagement, and youth leadership. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/g8YMwefQ

Still work to be done in higher education.