Diversifying Innovation
BGDSTEM, based in St. Louis, MO, is diversifying innovation and empowering under represented at promise youth to achieve equitable representation in STEM.
Our Mission
BGDSTEM 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
Scholarship
At BGDSTEM, we rigorously engage in learning by doing. We embody the mindset of being lifelong learners and solution creators. With hands-on learning at the center of our model, not only will we provide scholarships to youth through rigor, but also, we will also embody the same rigor, problem-solving, systems thinking mindset, and stick-to-it-ness we facilitate throughout programming.
Tenacity
At BGDSTEM, 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 BGDSTEM, 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 BGDSTEM, 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:
BGDSTEM 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 increased represenation in STEM fields
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Black students make up only 8% of the region’s tech workforce, despite over 35,000 unfilled local tech jobs.
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School segregation has increased, with 71% of students needing to change districts for schools to reflect regional demographics.
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National percentage of Black women in STEM
Our programs are offered 100% free to youth 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 under represented girls and women remain an untapped resource in our region and gone are the days where we underestimate the talent and capabilities of girls and women.
Explore how BGD STEM is scaling programs, strengthening partnerships, and maximizing impact through our strategic plan.