Anderson@Large

STEM Education Needs a Makeover

In a speech to the National Academy of Sciences in 2009, President Obama said “the progress and prosperity of future generations will depend on what we do now to educate the next generation.” He called on the National Academies to reimagine science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education:

I want us all to think about new and creative ways to engage young people in science and engineering, whether it’s science festivals, robotics competitions, fairs that encourage young people to create and build and invent -- to be makers of things, not just consumers of things.

Obama has since launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign to:

• Increase STEM literacy so that all students can learn deeply and think critically in science, math, engineering, and technology.
• Move American students from the middle of the pack to top in the next decade.
• Expand STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and girls.

Earlier this month, CNN aired a special report, “Don’t Fail Me: Education in America.” CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien interviewed Neil deGrasse Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium.

Tyson said:

Innovations and creativity in science, engineering, technology and math will be the drivers of tomorrow’s economy…And if you are not a participant at the frontier, you will trail behind it and possibly get left behind entirely.

Tyson observed that “math needs better marketing.”

Indeed, we must reimagine STEM education in order to stem the tide of joblessness in the African American community.

The Washington Post reports black joblessness is at a 40-year high:

The percentage of black men with jobs last month dropped to its lowest point in 40 years. The situation is worse for teens, worse again in the South and worst of all in late May as graduates swell the job market.

The result for black men ages 16 to 19 is a fate that now resembles a coin toss. Of those seeking work, 54.6 percent find jobs. More than 45 percent do not.

Consider: The academic achievement gap is well-documented. For background information, check out the report, “The Black-White Achievement Gap,” prepared by the Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies under the leadership of DeWayne Wickham.

Now consider this: The Pew Internet & American Life Project found there is no racial gap in the ownership of portable and console gaming devices. But few black students Americans know a black man, Jerry Lawson, developed the first video game console system. Or know that one of the top video game artists is a beautiful black woman, Lisette Titre.

To change the equation, education innovators should adopt culturally relevant web-based tools that will motivate black students and foster relationships with role models who can connect STEM literacy with their day-to-day lives and career opportunities.

Tyson told O’Brien:

The connection between STEM fields and the financial stability of the nation is what needs to be established. That connection somehow is broken and people don’t see it…You should value science, engineering, technology and math. If you do so, you get to innovate and invent new industries, new economies. If you invent new economies, everybody has jobs tomorrow.

For more info, visit Tracking Change.

Memorial Day 2011

As you wind down your three-day weekend, please be sure to pause and remember the brave men and women who served.

TSOP: Comcast Minority Entrepreneur Accelerator Program

In 1979, McFadden & Whitehead released “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” The song epitomizes TSOP, The Sound of Philadelphia.

Last week’s announcement that Comcast Interactive Capital will provide seed funding for five minority-led startups through a partnership with Philadelphia-based DreamIt Ventures is music to the ears of minority entrepreneurs and their advocates.

In a statement, Payne Brown, Comcast Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, said:

Diversity is a cornerstone of Comcast’s culture and we are proud to have Comcast Interactive Capital partner with DreamIt in this first investment from our $20 million fund focused on expanding opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. Minority groups are underrepresented in startup ventures and we believe supporting minority entrepreneurs through the DreamIt accelerator is an effective way to provide them with greater opportunities.

Politic365 reported:

The Comcast-DreamIt partnership springs from a commitment by Comcast to expand opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. That commitment was part of the company’s merger with NBCUniversal, which the Federal Communications Commission approved in January.

My longtime friend David Honig, president and executive director of the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, told Politic365:

This is just what MBEs need — seed money, support and mentoring at the very start of their careers as entrepreneurs. Until now, no program has offered this kind of essential opportunity to minority digital entrepreneurs. Comcast’s venture capital initiative is off to a great start.

Indeed, the Comcast Minority Entrepreneur Accelerator Program received its first application within hours of its launch.

With DreamIt’s support and mentoring, minority-led startups will put themselves together and polish up their act. The application deadline is July 8.

Ain’t no stopping them now.

Meet The Innovators

Ten years ago, my idea to write and produce a documentary about the 2000 election debacle was met with skepticism. After all, I had no film training or experience.

But I had a story to tell and access to the players. I assured the director and editor if they just followed what I wrote, audiences will like the film. They did and audiences did. My documentary, “Counting on Democracy,” aired on PBS stations nationwide.

It was déjà vu in March when I heard Startup America Partnership CEO Scott Case say African American entrepreneurs are largely invisible to investors. I thought, hmm, I should do something about that. And the seed for “The Innovators” was planted.

“The Innovators” will be crowd-funded. I have 29 days to raise $25,000. With your support, I will make my goal. So please help a sister out and go to Kickstarter and kick in what you can.

I thank you in advance for your support.

The ‘Bama Hour

Back in the day, I would organize Saturdays around my favorite radio show, WPFW’s “The ‘Bama Hour,” hosted by the late Jerry “The ‘Bama” Washington.

Last month, hundreds of tornadoes touched down in the South. News about the death of 326 people and devastating property losses was washed away with the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Alabama was the hardest hit. In their hour of despair, Alabamans are worried they will be forgotten.

My friend Al White, a senior vice president with Hammerman and Gainer Inc., was recently in Birmingham, where he took photos of the devastation and Bethel Baptist Church of Pratt City. Or more accurately, what remains of the 114-year-old church.

Al expressed concern the survivors of the storms will be left behind:

With so many disasters occurring across the country, the tornado damage in Alabama and Mississippi with be forgotten and limited help will be provided to rebuild these communities. Many of these communities were facing financial problems before the disaster, and they have scarce resources to subsidize shortfalls in insurance claims to rebuild homes at current prices.

He added:

Many of the faith-based institutions in the South impacted by this disaster are not able to generate income from their church members because many are unemployed. Many of these communities will see a rapid decline in their population because there are no decent housing for their families. This will further erode their tax base. The homeless community will increase substantially.

Al’s concerns are shared by a coalition of organizations, including Mobilize.org and Rock the Vote, which is spearheading a national campaign to raise awareness of the disaster and solicit donations of money and supplies.

To find out how you can help, visit Rebuilding from Disaster.

A Newt Named Gingrich Throws Hat in Ring

Newt Gingrich, a former Speaker of the House and serial adulterer, has announced he is running for president. He launched his campaign on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

His YouTube video has received roughly 81,000 views.

While Gingrich says “together we will win the future,” he is way past his “use by” date.

The Joint is Jumpin’

Yesterday the Library of Congress launched the National Jukebox, an online collection of popular music, speeches, and rare and historic recordings.

To create a playlist, go here.

Who knew the Library of Congress is the joint!