STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education has long been a focus for ABB. The company hires hundreds of people in technical fields across the US every year and so has a vested interest in ensuring a steady supply of talent. But there are still multiple groups—Blacks, Hispanics, women—who are under-represented in STEM fields.
That’s why ABB has partnered with the National Urban League to support education with a $100,000 grant via its philanthropic arm, ABB Foundation. The funding will support Project Ready (Mentor), the League’s signature education program that prepares African-American and other historically underserved youth for college and career.
“This is an opportunity to advance equality and fairness in our country,” says Michael Gray, U.S. Country Holding Officer, ABB, “by supporting an organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality and social justice.”
The goal of Project Ready Mentor is to support African Americans and other urban youth, ages 11 – 18, who are particularly vulnerable to disengagement from school, community, and the workforce.
“This program helps students succeed academically and grow socially through the development of essential life skills and effective work habits,” explains Morial.
The impact of COVID-19 has necessitated creativity in designing and providing services to youth, with an increased interest in e-mentoring. Funding from ABB will support the ongoing training, technical assistance and resources delivered by the National Urban League’s Education and Youth Development staff to program Affiliates and will help to continue mentoring activities during and after the pandemic.
ABB Encompass Black Professionals, an employee resource group within ABB, will team with other ABB Encompass groups to partner with National Urban League affiliates. ABB employees will support engagement opportunities with the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) a National Urban League volunteer auxiliary group that targets young professionals ages 21-40. NULYP empowers and supports communities across the country by preparing young people for school, work and life, promoting civic engagement, financial self-sufficiency, and advocating for civil rights.
Academics is obviously only part of a much larger picture, but it’s essential that children, especially those particularly at risk, are exposed to STEM early on so they can come to see technical fields as viable options for study and employment. ABB’s donation is intended to do just that.
