July 14, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
dpapadakos@wpb.org
(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
Introducing STEM in the City Forum in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The City of West Palm Beach, Office of Small Minority/Women Business Programs in partnership with The Foundation Builders and Sophisticated Out Loud will host, the STEM in the City Forum in observance of National Black Business Month. The Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) in the City Forum is an exciting event that you don’t want to miss. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Pavilion, 101 Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. To register visit this website https://STEMintheCity.eventbrite.com
After the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes important that the community banded together – re-grounded, reset, and ready to embrace new opportunities. The STEM in the City Forum brings together City of West Palm Beach staff, entrepreneurs in the STEM industries, and a panel of scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians.
According to the National Science Foundation Less than 6.5% of all science and engineers are black, with black women making up 1.8% of the population. In 2019, black women represented 2.4% of all practicing physicians. Women make up only 12.98% of practicing surgeons in the US. Of this 12.98%, Black women represent 0.074%.
The event is STEM-focused but is open to all fields. The discussion will have tips and tools for advancing all business overall within the black community.
The prestigious panel will spotlight the following professionals and their businesses and include:
Nicole Cummings RL10 Engineering Program Manager for the Artemis Rocket – Moderator; Dakeesha Wright – Operations & Site Leader (Mechanical Engineer) Collins Aerospace; Dr. Brian Coleman Orthopedic Surgeon; Shauna Hawkins, Everett Fennell ECF Engineering Consultant Firm; Grant McGaugh IT 5Star BDM; Alexiou Gibson – Shark Tank Winner CEO of the Transformation Factory.
Some of the topics that will be discussed include The importance of STEM careers in the black community, the disparity in the statistics, STEM advancement in America’s future, how to foster more black-owned STEM businesses, and highlights on how the panel advanced their careers and businesses within STEM fields.
Frank Hayden, Director, Small Minority/Women Business Programs/City of West Palm Beach will introduce the City’s Small and Minority/Woman Business Enterprise Programs. He will encourage businesses to look for new avenues to contract with the government. Mayor Keith A. James will set the tone for the event by presenting the Black Chamber of Commerce with the Proclamation acknowledging August as National Black Business Month in the City of West Palm Beach. Mayor James will also introduce City staff present and address the youth attending.
To register for this event, click the link here: https://STEMintheCity.eventbrite.com
If you are interested in applying for City of West Palm Beach Small and Minority/Woman Business certifications, please visit the City’s website at https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/office-equal-opportunity/sbe-versus-mwbe-certification
We encourage you to visit the City’s site often for updates and information on doing business with the City of West Palm Beach. For questions related to the Small and Minority Business Enterprise Programs or concerns please contact us at (561) 822-1273.
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About the City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on Florida’s Atlantic coast. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.
Originally published at https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/3532/772
