Creating STEM opportunities for all

Published : 20-Jul-2022

What they see is what they will be is the resonating motto of the 100 Black Men of Greater Huntsville (BMOGH), an organization that strives to improve the quality of life in the Huntsville, Alabama community by way of educating and mentoring underserved young men from single parent female households.  The National Coalition of 100 Black Woman, Inc., Greater Huntsville Area Chapter (NCBW – GHAC), a non-profit entity advocating on behalf of Black women and girls promoting leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic development, has a similar focus.  Partnering to create pathways to education, the PPG Foundation has supported both BMOGH and BWOGH mission and commitment to the empowerment of these young men and women. 

Through 100 BMOGH’s mentoring program, students attend interactive bi-monthly sessions — Science Saturday and Robots – facilitated by employees from Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology and the local chapter of Black Data Processing Associates respectively, demonstrating the real-world applications of their studies.  Not being tied to a traditional classroom, the students experience educational field trips to local manufacturing and technical facilities as well.

According to Crystal Mitchell, environmental health and safety manager of PPG’s Aerospace business’ Texas operations, the initiatives of the 100 BMOGH organization are helping to support the next generation of Huntsville area engineers, scientists and innovators who will create the technologies and solutions that move the region forward and help meet society’s collective challenges.  

Recently, Mitchell, along with a few of her colleagues attended 100 BMOGH’s gala to present a grant from the PPG Foundation.  Mitchell continued, “Like PPG, this organization prioritizes equity and inclusivity to expand opportunities for students to explore new horizons in science-related fields and pursue their career aspirations through mentorship and hands-on programming.”

“In addition to our mentoring program, we partner annually with other like-minded organizations to host a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) focused event to educate and expose our youth to various opportunities within those fields,” said Charles Hyder, 100 BMOGH’s chapter president. Programming begins from age ten to 17 years and is available to all male youth, with a focus on people of color, who live in underserved communities. 

PPG employees also attended GHAC’s “Because I am a Girl: The Chemistry of you” gala, where young females between 9 and 17 years of age learned etiquette in a variety of social settings –exposing them to activities they typically would not have experienced in their community.

GHAC’s President, Laurie McCaulley proudly vouches for the event and says that these girls learn to appreciate the differences in each of us, making them unique and special. “[This gala] helps them to enjoy and be proud of who you are and what your chemical make-up is.”  

The PPG Foundation along with the PPG’s Huntsville aerospace facility, plans to continue to help create more opportunities such as was recently arranged through their Black Employee Network (BEN) — teenage members of the 100 BMOGH were given a plant tour and engaged in active discussions with PPG professionals.  In turn, the opportunity was paved for them to visualize fulfilling careers for themselves. 

To learn about the PPG Foundation’s commitment to building the next generation of diverse and innovative STEM leaders, click here.