Unfortunately, the utopia described above is not the reality. Minority students don’t have the same starting point in life as their counterparts. They don’t always have the same starting line, equal opportunity and training, but are expected to finish the race with the same stamina and motivation as the majority. With the deeply rooted history of systemic racism in America, the odds aren’t always in minority students’ favor. 

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans states this: Though America will need to add 1 million more STEM professionals to meet workforce needs by 2022, African American youth are the least likely racial group to enter technology fields (US Department of Labor). Similarly, The White House Initiative on Education Excellence for Hispanics published a newsletter that states: The lack of STEM representation is even more prevalent among Hispanics, who although accounted for 16% of the U.S. population in 2010, only earned 8 percent of all certificates and degrees awarded in the STEM fields between 2009 and 2010.

Though these numbers seem dated, they still evidence the existence of a disparity of representation in STEM by the two largest minority populations in The United States.

Project Stemulus seeks to close the gap of all minority representation in STEM fields. While this seems like a daunting task, we believe that on a local level, we can make a huge difference. By offering weekly courses in small group settings, tutoring, and connecting students with STEM resources and additional opportunities, more students will be exposed to STEM fields at younger ages, increasing the future probability of higher minority representation in STEM fields.

We want our youth equipped & empowered to succeed in life. With your support, participation, and engagement, we believe we can do it!

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Delijah S. Williams
Executive Director, Instructor