New York City, NY - September 18, 2024 - STEM From Dance, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls of color in STEM fields through the power of dance, is thrilled to announce groundbreaking support from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google. This support, which includes a generous grant of $1 million, represents a significant milestone in STEM From Dance's mission to increase the representation of women of color in STEM fields and empower the next generation of AI enthusiasts and creators through the art of dance.

The support from Google.org will fuel an ambitious project designed to enhance AI literacy among girls of color, leveraging STEM From Dance's unique approach of integrating dance into STEM education. The project aims to refine and scale STEM From Dance's AI curriculum, enriching it with the latest advancements in AI technology and tailoring it for seamless integration into the organization's dance-based programs. By infusing AI concepts into dance, STEM From Dance will immerse participants aged 8-18 in an engaging and creative learning experience that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence.

"We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Google.org to inspire the next generation of AI enthusiasts and creators," remarked Yamilee Toussaint, Founder and CEO of STEM From Dance. "Through the power of dance, we will equip girls of color with the knowledge and skills to navigate the exciting world of AI, empowering them to pursue rewarding careers in STEM fields."

The effort will not only enhance the curriculum but also develop training materials for educators, establish scalable infrastructure, and forge strategic partnerships nationwide. By amplifying the reach and impact of STEM From Dance's innovative approach, the funding aims to help address the systemic gender gap in STEM and cultivate a diverse and inclusive community of AI leaders.

“As AI and generative tools become more common, it’s essential for teachers and students to understand how the technology works at a basic level, the data that drives it, and how to use it responsibly and effectively,” states Maggie Johnson, Vice President, Google.org. “AI literacy skills include how, when and why to use AI tools as well as the risks and benefits of using the tools as they evolve. These skills will become increasingly important for K-12 students and teachers. As with any new classroom innovation, the human connection of teaching and learning is critical and must be maintained. Teachers will always be needed to define the arc of learning for a topic or domain, and what is the appropriate content for their particular students. It is our responsibility to offer them the skills they need to do so.”

Through this funding, STEM From Dance is poised to break down barriers, spark innovation, and pave the way for a brighter future for girls of color in STEM and beyond.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Yamilee Toussaint
[email protected]

About STEM From Dance

STEM From Dance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls of color with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue careers in STEM fields through the power of dance. Founded in 2012, STEM From Dance aims to increase the representation of girls of color in STEM by providing innovative programs that inspire and motivate the next generation of women leaders in technology, engineering, and beyond. For more information, visit https://stemfromdance.org.

About Google.org

Google.org, Google's philanthropy, supports nonprofits that address humanitarian issues worldwide and apply scalable, data-driven innovation to solving the world's biggest challenges. We accelerate their progress by connecting them with a unique blend of support that includes funding, products, and technical expertise from Google volunteers. We engage with these believers-turned-doers who make a significant impact on the communities they represent, and whose work has the potential to produce meaningful change. We want a world that works for everyone—and we believe technology and innovation can move the needle in four key areas: education, economic opportunity, inclusion and crisis response.

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