Road To Growth
Continue reading for an abbreviated version of our latest annual report. For the comprehensive report, including financials and alumnae stories, use the button below.
Annual Report Preview
Letter From The CEO
I am beyond excited to present the latest annual report for STEM From Dance, an organization with a bold idea to shake up the STEM field by empowering girls of color to take center stage and activate their dreams in STEM.
It began as a small seed fueled by the unbridled passion and unwavering support of our friends and family, who believed in our vision. With relentless persistence, a growth mindset, and the transformative power of dance, we have grown into a thriving organization with deep roots in New York City and now extending far beyond.
Over the past year, we have continued to plant seeds of innovation and creativity in more and more communities, working with partners in Atlanta, Tampa, and Houston to bring our mission to more girls across the nation. Our team has grown into a passionate tribe of staff members who have played a crucial role in expanding our mission.
But we’re not stopping here. At the start of 2022, our 10th anniversary, we articulated a vision to scale impact to one million Black and brown girls in STEM careers and invest $10M annually into the mission. SFD is already on the path to becoming recognized nationally and globally as best in class at increasing the representation of Black and brown women in STEM fields, with a focus on the integration of performing arts and STEM. With the support of our funders, partners, and champions, we are determined to inspire and encourage more and more girls of color to pursue their dreams and transform their lives.
As we look towards the future, we are thrilled to unveil our new brand, website, and messaging, which are a reflection of the fierce organization we have become. This transformation provides us with a digital hub to connect with our community and propel our mission forward. We invite you to continue on this journey with us to shine an even brighter spotlight on STEM. Together, we can build a world where girls of color can pursue joy, excel in STEM, and change the world.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Sincerely,
Yamilee
Message From Our Board Chair
As our world grows increasingly complex, the need for breakthroughs and advancements in STEM fields becomes increasingly urgent. This is why STEM From Dance remains committed to our core belief that diversity in technical fields is essential to fostering revolutionary ideas and innovations. We are proud to have been at the forefront of this movement for over ten years and are excited to continue making an impact in our second decade of work.
To ensure that we continue to meet our demands and reach our goals, we have developed a more sophisticated model of engagement with students and partners. We are also working tirelessly to develop new programs and initiatives that will allow us to expand our reach and make an even greater impact on the communities we serve.
None of this would be possible without your investment in our mission. Your support has been instrumental in enabling us to inspire young women to dance across the stars, find their passions, and exert their viewpoints onto our next modernizations as a society. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our shared goals.
On behalf of the entire STEM From Dance team, thank you for your continued support. I am honored to be with you in this work.
Sincerely,
Bryan
About STEM From Dance
STEM From Dance empowers girls of color with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue careers in STEM — all through the power of dance. We envision a world where the STEM workforce is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and women of color are creative, confident, and equipped to be its leaders and innovators.
We’re bringing STEM to center stage with the goal of ending race and gender disparity in STEM fields. Every year, we empower thousands of bold and brilliant girls of color, across the US and beyond, with the skills and confidence they need to reach their big dreams. And we inspire them to unlock their joy, power, and STEM potential.
Our team of STEM and dance professionals helps our girls create dance performances that incorporate STEM in creative ways. Along the way, our girls discover that STEM is for them. By using STEM knowledge, they can make the dance better. And it’s something they can be great at.
At STEM From Dance, we are proud to be on the journey with our girls as they expand their horizons and dance toward a radiant future.
1
Culture
Our communities have traditionally used dance to release, celebrate, draw strength, communicate, and learn. We meet them where they are and show them that they belong in STEM. Combining dance with tech transforms STEM careers from unthinkable to within reach.
2
Confidence
Dance transforms our girls into students who are curious, ask questions, take risks in the classroom, and keep going — even when it gets tough — and that confidence translates to STEM and beyond. Through our programs, girls discover how confidence in STEM subjects can be a way of life just as much as dance.
3
Community
Dance creates a warm, joyful atmosphere that builds sisterhood, fosters connections, lowers doubt, and makes for a STEM environment that is encouraging and inviting. Girls in our programs work together to choreograph their dances and design and build the technology in their performance, all while connecting with other girls and supportive adults who share their interests.
4
Creativity
We create in dance. We create in STEM. We combine the two to create electrifying performances. We inspire and encourage our girls to dream big and help them develop the skills to turn their dreams into reality — on stage, in the classroom, and throughout their lives.
Our Growing Impact
SFD in the News
Spotlight On Our Girls
Our alumni are now in college and pursuing STEM majors. Continue reading to learn about STEM From Dance alumna Elizabeth and her career journey.
Elizabeth
A Mechanical Engineering major with a minor in Renewable Energy, Elizabeth was surrounded by women in STEM during her time in STEM From Dance. They reassured her that being a woman doesn’t mean you don’t have a place in STEM. Being a woman just means you’re a woman in STEM! Getting guidance from the SFD instructors and guest speakers during the program also encouraged her to reach out to mentors and guidance counselors once she started college. As a first gen college student and the first person in her family to pursue STEM, Elizabeth was scared and didn’t know what to expect. But her mentors advised her on how to navigate college and made her feel a lot more comfortable.
For additional alumnae stories, our 2022 financials, and more, click the button below.
Our Supporters
All of our supporters fuel our work to change the lives of girls of color. Below is a partial list of our institutional supporters selected from the many individuals, foundations, corporations, and partners who invest in our mission.
Adobe
Akamai
Altman
American Association of University Women
Beacon Group
Benchling Inc.
Brooklyn Community Foundation
Capital One
Cassett Foundation
Con Edison
Crewcial
General Motors
Harman Family Foundation
Heckscher Foundation for Children
Hornblower, operator of NYC Ferry
Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc.
Laureus USA Foundation
Lawrence Foundation
Marshall Frankel Foundation
Micron Foundation
Mosaic Network & Fund
National Endowment for the Arts
National Science Foundation
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
New York State Council on the Arts
New York Urban League
Nike
Pinkerton Foundation
Richemont
Roberts Foundation
Science Sandbox, an initiative of the Simons Foundation
Spark Youth
Warner Music Group
William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust
Youth INC
Zoom
Come Along With Us
We have identified three key strategic priorities that will guide us toward our long-term vision. Each strategic priority represents an area of focus for the organization over the next three years and establishes the clarity and accountability necessary to fuel intentional growth.
Magnify the Impact of Our Signature Model
We are focused on deepening the impact of our innovative program model in order to put more girls of color on STEM career pathways. Our distinct journey framework includes Catalyze, Immerse, and Launch programming to engage girls from elementary school through college.
Reach More Girls
Invest in the Infrastructure to Support Scale & Long-term Sustainability.
Having already grown our team, we will cultivate the human resources and financial engine necessary to support massive expansion, deep impact, and long-term stability. The creation of an expandable digital hub is the first step in building brand awareness, growing our community, and increasing the number of people who know about, understand, and feel activated by our work and impact.
Partner with us as we champion bold girls nationally.
- Host a STEM From Dance program in your community
- Invest in the STEM education of girls of color by making a financial contribution
- Volunteer your time and expertise through a corporate engagement opportunity
- Introduce us to schools, companies, or individuals who are inspired by our work
Connect with a STEM From Dance team member.
Enjoyed the preview? Click below for the full report.
Get Involved
Sign up for our newsletter to get updates on what’s happening at STEM From Dance.
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Be the first to hear about new articles.
Donate
Your generous contribution of any amount empowers girls of color to become the next generation of STEM leaders.
Donate