Google Executives mentor Project Still I Rise students in artificial intelligence fundamentals and other in-demand tech skills to build brands and a path toward STEM careers
Nationwide — In December 2023, Dallas-based Project Still I Rise (PSIR) embarked on a partnership with Google, as part of Google’s “Grow with Google” Partnership program. From Fall 2023 through Summer 2024, leaders from Google’s affinity group, the Black Googler Network, led a three-part series of workshops introducing elementary and middle-school students to everything from Google’s Workspace solutions for businesses to Google’s MakerSuite, an app for artificial intelligence ideation, as well as pathways to careers in the tech industry.
The initial session incorporated elements from PSIR’s ‘Grow Your Business’ workshop series targeted at entrepreneurs and small business owners with an interest in leveraging Google resources and tools for their startups and budding enterprises. During these workshops (some of which were held at ComericaHQ – a business incubator space), Google’s Data & Insights Lead Dalain Williams introduced website building on the Google Sites platform, as well as other tools like Google Search indexing to enhance the students’ existing brands launched through PSIR’s landmark youth entrepreneurship program, National Youth Chamber of Commerce — such as Malcolm Alexander’s A Lotta Chatta. Google Strategist Renice Standford and Google Sales Director Michelle Ayers also facilitated this session.
Gen AI | Google’s MakerSuite
For the second installment in the series, Google’s Gen AI Technical Solutions Manager James Harding exposed PSIR students to more technical applications like Google’s MakerSuite with LMM prompting — which is Google’s generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) solution, to generate ideas and ingenuity. “Many students use artificial intelligence products and services but don’t know how they work behind the scenes, and we gave them exposure to that. The more skills and training they learn in that space, the more they are equipped with valuable skills, preparing them for the direction society is going,” says Williams.
Harding also held an AI Prompt Writing Competition, where students competed for a grand prize of $500.
Career Guidance Session at Google NYC
The three-part series culminated with a visit to Google’s New York City office. During their trip, students were exposed to pathways toward careers in the tech industry as well as the efforts and strides made in diversity, inclusion, and gender parity. Members of the Black Googler Network based in the New York office were invited to speak to the students about support, mentorship and career guidance. Why? According to CNBC, DEI programs are in broad retreat in recent years, even with numbers as low as 35% of minorities (Asian – 20%, Latinx – 8% and Black Americans – 7%) in US tech industry jobs, and a mere 3.7 million women occupying roles in tech (Source: The Tech Report).
“Seeing themselves in these types of roles is important. The pipeline to tech jobs for diverse candidates is not strong. That’s a reflection of exposure at a younger age – starting in elementary or middle school to programs like the robotics and coding camps offered through nonprofits like Project Still I Rise. Thereafter, even with a degree, many diverse candidates aren’t completely prepared — to no fault of their own. It takes mentorship, guidance, and community support. I tell students: ‘You belong here. You can come in and be yourself and add value through your perspective, your skills and knowledge,” says Williams.
Who: Project Still I Rise Inc., a “High Impact Partner” | 2024 Grow with Google Program
What: 3-part empowerment series on tech skills building and pathways to tech careers
When: Fall 2023 through mid-2024
Where: Dallas, Texas and New York, New York
Why: To build a pipeline of students with valuable tech skills to equip them for career success
About
Project Still I Rise (PSIR), a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, has served the Dallas community and beyond for over twenty years — empowering youth in underserved communities with the tools to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. PSIR’s signature programs include the Urban STEM Initiative, the National Youth Chamber of Commerce, Financial Literacy series, Urban Scholars, and more. For more information, visit PSIR.org, contact their headquarters at 972-546-0977, or follow PSIR on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
For press inquiries, contact Michelle London-Bell, MBA at 832-736-7547 or urbanmediagroupoftx@gmail.com