Diversifying Innovation

Black Girls Do STEM, based in St. Louis, MO, is diversifying innovation and empowering Black girls to achieve equitable representation in STEM.

Our Mission

Black Girls Do STEM ignites curiosity and confidence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics by providing Black girls in every community with intentional hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to innovate, develop leadership, and shape a future where they thrive as STEM changemakers.

 

We live by our core values

Tenacity

At Black Girls Do STEM, we take risks to build skills;failing fast and forward, making sure we get the lesson from our learning. This is done through a culture of collaboration, self-awareness, and reflection. We cultivate this culture by learning new systems through research and putting them into practice through competency and trust.

empowerment & equity

At Black Girls Do STEM, we empower through exposure, as we learn by doing. We guarantee transparency in our processes, access to all, and deep listening to spur a culture of safe action, courage, and accountability. To have equity outcomes not just for our girls but for our entire organization. This requires us to correct in the spirit of love and growth and allow many opportunities for learning to happen.

Mentorship

At Black Girls Do STEM, we believe everyone and anyone can be the coach or coachee. We approach each other with the same curiosity that lives in our programming, working to lead and learn with and from each other.

Our Vision:

Black Girls Do STEM envisions a new normal where Black women are represented equitably in STEM, leading, and innovating with joy, confidence, and the power to solve global problems.

The NEED for Black women in STEM fields

%

Black students make up only 8% of the region’s tech workforce, despite over 35,000 unfilled local tech jobs.

%

School segregation has increased, with 71% of students needing to change districts for schools to reflect regional demographics.

%

National percentage of Black women in STEM

Our programs are offered 100% free to students and families

Two decades of no change for Black women in the STEM workforce. By 2030, there will be 1 million unfilled STEM jobs in the STL region…

An equitable workforce is not only what we all deserve but Black girls and women remain an untapped resource and gone are the days where we underestimate the talent and capabilities of Black girls and women.

Explore how BGD STEM is scaling programs, strengthening partnerships, and maximizing impact through our strategic plan.

What Our Participants Are Saying

BGDSTEM has really boosted my confidence and let me know I could really do anything. Being Black in the STEM field I know would be challenging, but BGDSTEM really let me know that I can’t be held back. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

— STEM Saturday Academy Participant 

I feel more motivated to conduct projects and experiments on my own without being prompted.

— EEP Program Participant