STREAM Global Innovations, an organization on a mission to connect the dots between education and career in low-income and underserved communities and a PPG Foundation partner, recently honored PPG with several 2020 STREAM Awards.
PPG honored with STREAM Global Innovations Awards
As part of STREAM Global’s sixth anniversary celebration, the organization held a virtual event where Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility, accepted the 2020 STREAM Global Innovations Award on behalf of the PPG Foundation.
Edith Hayes, plant manager Mojave, PPG, accepted the Community Choice Award and Kathie Barnett, retired learning and development manager for PPG’s aerospace business, received the STREAM Legacy Award.
Hayes led PPG’s involvement in STREAM Global’s #streamunplugged initiative. The program provided 300 STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and mathematics) comfort bags to students and communities that don’t readily have access to technology during a time of virtual learning.
Prior to her retirement, Barnett served as a liaison between the organization and PPG to facilitate grants from the PPG Foundation and PPG’s support of events such as the annual STREAM Kids Expo event. The Expo offers students an opportunity to explore STREAM-based activities and exhibits from industry experts, schools and organizations.
“I am honored by the recognition from STREAM Global and by the opportunity to partner with the organization to serve our local students with essential tools and opportunities to engage with STREAM learning and career possibilities,” said Hayes.
The impacts of STREAM Global Innovations started with Niamani Knight, who at age 13 realized many of her peers and students seemed to struggle with some of the basic educational skill sets required for short- and long-term success. Understanding that many academic rocks can only be climbed through industry expert exposure, interactive learning and peer support, Knight first launched the STREAM Kids Expo in 2015 and went on to launch STREAM Global Innovations with her mother in 2018.
“Over the past six years, we’ve worked with amazing companies like PPG to directly serve over 27,000 people in 24 states and 11 countries. I am so thankful for the incredible team at PPG that took a chance on a young girl’s vision for her peers–the next generation of industry leaders. Together, we can continue impacting the lives of students around the world to secure futures full of potential, where access to education and career opportunities are available for all,” said Knight.
In 2020, STREAM Global Innovations has served 3,840 individuals directly and reached over 175,000 through social channels and live streams. Now, more students than ever have access to STREAM Global through its recent launch of STREAM World, a virtual-learning platform.
Learn more about STREAM Global Innovations here.