S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc. has announced the launch of the groundbreaking SMART Tech Health Hub project in Opa-Locka, Florida, which aims to provide residents, children, and families with access to high-quality STEM education.

About the SMART Tech Health Hub

With $4,000,000 in funding from the state of Florida, this innovative initiative is the first of its kind in the city, aiming to provide residents, children, and families with access to high-quality STEM education, re-entry pathways to the STEM workforce, broadband width, and basic essential health services.

S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc founder Anike Sakariyawo

“The partnership with the Miami Foundation’s Digital Equity Collective program has been pivotal in advancing this initiative,” says Founder of SEEK Foundation, Inc., Anike Sakariyawo.  “We are looking to provide Opa-Locka community members of all ages access to educational resources and pathways to STEM careers to children and adults, and a space to innovate and follow individual curiosity.”

Beacon of opportunity and advancement

The Smart Tech Health Hub is looking to fill a void that has long been felt in the community as the City of Opa-Locka has no high school or technical facility.

Anticipated to be fully operational by December 2026, the SMART Tech Health Hub will serve as a beacon of opportunity and advancement for the local community, empowering individuals with the tools and resources needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world.

The SMART Tech Health Hub will be a multifaceted building, serving a purpose for each level.

The first and second floors are designed for children and staff members of S.E.E.K foundation to conduct everyday operations for educational programs in STEM. This will include a pipeline program to create academic access to a specific industry (e.g. USDA – food, agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI) learning deployment and integration, cybersecurity, coding program, robotics, UI/UX Design, etc.).

The third floor will allow children and families to have access to basic health needs, such as annual shots/vaccinations, back to school boosters, telehealth, as additional sites for the community.

1st Annual Youth STEM Summit

This Summer,  S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc. hosted their 1st Annual Youth STEM Summit, which inspired 500 young students about the opportunities and importance of STEM education. Through hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and informative presentations, they ignited curiosity and nurtured students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

For more information, please visit: https://seekedu.org

Actress Malinda Williams, together with her non-profit Arise And Shine Foundation Inc., has launched an HBCU coding bootcamp.

Malinda Williams HBCU coding bootcamp

The initiative called the E.S.T.E.A.M. Project is aimed specifically towards women who attend an Historically Black  university or college (HBCU).

Williams made the announcement via Instagram.

“We’re excited to announce the launch of The E.S.T.E.A.M. Project, a coding bootcamp initiative designed for women at HBCUs, fostering change, inspiration, and sisterhood.⁠ Let’s Do It,” she wrote.

Throughout the course of the bootcamp’s coding curriculum, the inaugural cohort will meet virtually to develop an app project or showcase project with guidance and curriculum assistance provided by the program sponsor.

“Our team will identify experts in the field of education and computer science to help integrate and execute the curriculum program,” Williams continued.

Why the program was created

Malinda Williams established the Arise and Shine Foundation along with her sisters, Lisa Williams Sorensen and Leslie Williams Dunn, to support underserved and underrepresented women and girls in overcoming challenges and reaching their full potential, guiding them through adversity, trauma, and disadvantages towards a fulfilling life.

“I wanted to create a space where women could come together and learn from each other, support each other, and collaborate on projects that pour back into their communities.” Williams wrote.

“As a professional actress and someone who has benefited greatly from the support of my community. I understand first-hand the value of collaboration and paying it forward.”

Malinda Williams HBCU coding bootcamp deadline

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2024. For more, information please visit asforwomen.org

Fearless Identities by Paris and Avril Lux is an outlet for positive news, motivation, and a safe-space for the unheard to be heard.

After being excluded and isolated from groups at school, two teen sisters decided to react by developing a website to end social exclusion. Paris and Avril Lux said they wanted to inspire others to speak up about their experiences so they created Fearless Identities.

Fearless Identities

The website, coded completely by the 14-year-olds, provides motivation, positive news and acts as a safe space for identities like them.

Mission

Paris and Avril says their mission is to give a voice to the unheard. Being ignored and excluded has made them feel like they’re not good enough and they want to let others know that they’re not alone.

“We hope that they can find the positive sides of life and hope that our website inspires others to speak to people who might seem like they’re being socially excluded.”, said the teens in an interview with WONK.

Check out Fearless Identities website