Spelman And Nonprofit SMASH Partner To Increase Representation In STEM

Spelman College is partnering with SMASH, the STEM racial justice nonprofit, to address inequities and representation in education.

The SMASH x Spelman partnership will offer programming and support to young women of color interested in academic and professional careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The collaboration will kickstart a social change-focused program for 25 high school girls, who will be offered the opportunity of “building computer science skills, accessing career mentorship, completing college preparatory workshops, and more.”

“As a proud Spelman College alumna and graduate of the dual-degree engineering program from Georgia Tech, I know the power of being immersed in Black excellence for a young Black woman, particularly in STEM, and it is a privilege to partner with the country’s leading producer of Black women who complete Ph.D.s in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),” said Oakland, California native Danielle Rose, CEO of SMASH, in the press release.

“As we see a worsening racial divide in terms of education quality and access across the U.S., creating spaces that prioritize identity, community impact, and culturally relevant coursework are critical to systemically diversifying the STEM fields,” Rose continued.

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The partnership builds on the solid efforts of SMASH, which has operated in Atlanta for over five years at Spelman College’s institutional neighbor, the HBCU Morehouse College.

“SMASH x Spelman is coming to fruition at just the right time. As technology becomes ubiquitous across all aspects of our society, the voices, experiences, and expertise of Black women are critical to the creation of a more equitable future,” said Tamara Pearson, Director of the Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM at Spelman College in the press release. “A future where technology is leveraged for the empowerment of all. Programs like SMASH x Spelman will remind our young people that they are the ones creating that future and equip them with the tools to do so with compassion.”

Students entering the ninth grade in Fall 2022 that meet the program criteria can apply here. The deadline to apply is Mar. 1.