Posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2016
Houston, TX – Boys from middle schools across Houston will have the opportunity to learn technology skills this summer at Texas Southern University as part of the Verizon Minority Male Makers Program.
Texas Southern University is one of 12 institutions to offer the Verizon Minority Male Makers Program, which launched in 2015 at four leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country.
The first-of-its-kind, two-year program exposes young male African American and Latino students to technology, including coding and 3D printing, and provides valuable science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and entrepreneurship skills. The program also pairs the young men with mentors for continued learning and support throughout the school year.
The Verizon Minority Male Makers program is designed to open the eyes of young male students to the many future career opportunities these skills create.
Over the summer students will participate in technology workshops on campus, 4-5 days per week, for approximately four weeks, taught by university professors. Students will also meet with mentors throughout the school year.
WHAT: Media are invited to a press conference and check presentation with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, members of the Houston City Council and Texas Southern University President John Rudley and Verizon Wireless South Central Market President Krista Bourne announcing the launch of the Verizon Minority Male Makers program.
WHY: Much attention has been paid to the importance of engaging girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), but very few are talking about the promise technology skills hold for young, minority boys. Minority males are severely underrepresented in STEM fields and are less likely than Caucasian peers to graduate from high school on time and pursue college
WHEN: May 12, 2016, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHO: Interviews available upon request:
WHERE: Texas Southern University
University Museum
3100 Cleburne St.
Houston, TX. 77004
MEDIA CONTACT:
Eva Pickens, Vice President of University Advancement
pickensek@tsu.edu, 713-313-4205
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About the Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company’s innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, healthcare and energy management. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon’s employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.8 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information about Verizon’s philanthropic work, visit www.verizon.com/about/responsibility; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving).
About Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is a student-centered comprehensive doctoral university committed to ensuring equality, offering innovative programs that are responsive to its urban setting, and transforming diverse students into lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and creative leaders in their local, national, and global communities. Texas Southern University will become one of the nation’s pre-eminent comprehensive metropolitan universities. We will be recognized by the excellence of our programs, the quality of our instruction, our innovative research, and our desire to be a contributing partner to our community, state, nation, and world.
Category: News Media