Encourage and empower students for a brighter tomorrow; the underrepresentation of Black students in STEM

BY PAUL JUNOR

The issue of the underrepresentation of Black students in STEM related fields is one that has been at the forefront of educational policies geared to address inequality in school boards. An important Black Youth STEM Conference will be held on Saturday November 4^th, 2023, at Chinguacousy Secondary School in Brampton. It is organized by Black Youth in Technology, Engineering & Science (BYTES) along with other STEM organizations and is designed to encourage Black students ages 10 to 18, in STEM (Science, Technology. Engineering and Math). There will be several partner STEM organizations that will showcase services that they provide.

The BYTES Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Black Youth in STEM fields. It was formed to create a community of organizations supporting Black Youth in STEM in the Greater Toronto and Southern Ontario areas. The goal is to increase levels of engagement in STEM occupations where representation is low, and to grow representation in certain disciplines where the black population is virtually non-existent.

The lack of representation in STEM occupation is reflected in poor economic growth and high rates of unemployment in our black communities. Their mission is achieved as they strive to innovate, educate and inspire Black students onwards to a better tomorrow through the enhancement of STEM related training and mentoring programs. Their motto is, “Encourage and Empower Students for a Brighter Tomorrow,” “Ensuring Students Thrive, not just Survive,” and “Pushing Students Above and Beyond to Limitless Heights.”

There are four Board of Directors of BYTES Network which include:

Marguerite Mcleod-Fleming

Senior Managing Director at GrowthFinder Digital Marketing and LinkedIn Marketing

William R Laverde

Enterprise Customer Success Partner (ECSP), Executive board member of STEMHub

Christine Diaz

Sr. Director of a Major Software company and Advocate for Black Youth in Education

Francis Jeffers

Curator at International Aboriginal and Indigenous Peoples Inventors and Innovators Museum.

BYTES Network was part of an event titled, “Celebrate Black Excellence,” which was held at the Ontario Science Centre on Saturday September 16^th, 2023. It was a free event that featured family-friendly activities, including film screenings and presentations from Black-owned and led organizations. An integral part of the event involves recognizing the outstanding contributions of: Black scientists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, authors, and other inspiring individuals.

Some of the STEM Organizations include:

• ACCN Toronto (https://accntoronto.com)
• The Multicultural Museum (https://www.multiculturalmuseums.com/)
• Flip and Floss Shad.ca (https://www.shad.ca/)
• The Black Boys Code (https://blackboyscode.ca)
• Lassonde-York University (https://lassonde.yorku.ca)
• Rise in Stem (https://www.riseinstem.ca)

In addition, there will be the African Black and Afro Caribbean Student Success, which will partner with BYTES.

There will be several workshops that will focus on the following topics:

• Find about careers in STEM
• Parents Workshop-discover alternative ways to support your child
• Prep session for high school
• Discover ways to improve your study skills for exam
• Interactive sessions by STEM organizations
• Preparation for post-secondary