This month we dive into exciting work across communities—from AI workshops transforming recycling in Atlanta to aviation curriculums launching dreams in Orlando. It’s a narrative of innovation, inclusion, and inspiration in STEM, where every step forward breaks barriers and nurtures the leaders of tomorrow. At the intersection of technology and social impact, initiatives like Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation and Wendell Carter Jr.'s A Platform² Foundation are pivotal. They’re not just shaping the future of tech—they’re also fostering diversity and empowerment. Join the Microsoft Nonprofit Tech Acceleration (NTA) team in celebration of progress and the collective journey towards a brighter, tech-enabled future.
Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation Hosts AI Workshop in Atlanta
We had an amazing week empowering future women leaders in tech with our nonprofit partner, Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation. They traveled from Houston, Texas to host an enlightening AI workshop based on the Microsoft AI for Good initiative, focusing on recycling. High school girls in Atlanta developed their own businesses and AI chatbots to assist with recycling. Regina Asuquo and I were honored to be panelists, sharing our journeys at Microsoft and roles in artificial intelligence. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’re especially proud of the collective work to help the next generation of girls break barriers in tech.
NBA Player Wendell Carter Jr. Launches Aviation-Based Curriculum For High School Students
Our longtime Orlando-based nonprofit partner, A Platform2 Foundation, (A Platform²), founded by NBA player, Wendell Carter Jr., announced an initiative to promote diversity in STEM education. With a further commitment to youth, he is offering local high school students aviation-based curriculum, putting them on a path to becoming pilots - a dream he had as a child. Carter joined forces with another NTA nonprofit, The Brock Foundation, which is focused on increasing diversity in the aviation industry by exposing Black and Hispanic students to the field and helping them pass their aviation exams. The Brock Foundation utilizes Microsoft Community Training, a digital curriculum solution A Platform2 Foundation nonprofit organization now utilizes to deliver similar skilling. Check out the NBA's coverage of this story: Wendell Carter Jr. Continues to Use His Platform to Empower Youth | NBA.com
Girls Who Brunch Launches Mobile App to Empower Girls Through Technology
The NTA Program worked with Dr. Ni'Cola Mitchell to develop a Girls Who Brunch .NET MAUI Azure-backed mobile app designed to support the nonprofit's conferences. Through her nonprofit, Girls Who Brunch, Dr. Mitchell is dedicated to uplifting and supporting girls ages 9-17 who confront challenges such as bullying, human trafficking, and self-esteem issues. Her organization thrives in empowering young women through mentorship, workshops, STEAM education, enabling them to surmount any obstacles they encounter. The organization has impacted 38,000 girls and strives to continue to equip them with the tools, resources, and the network needed to excel academically, professionally, and personally.
Podcast Feature: Why Equity Matters in the Foster Care System
Zachary Nunn and I sat down on Living Corporate’s LinkedIn podcast event, “Live: #WhyEquityMatters in the Foster Care System” to discuss the transformative power of tech and the importance of equity in foster care in this crucial conversation. The event streamed on LinkedIn Live on March 26th. Watch the replay here: Why Equity Matters in the Foster Care System (ft. Darrell Booker) | LinkedIn
Brown Toy Box Inc. Launches MakeCode Game at Atlanta Science Festival – Powered by Microsoft
Brown Toy Box, an NTA nonprofit partner, launched a Microsoft MakeCode game called, "But can you code?" at the Atlanta Science Festival. The game, featuring Maya, a character from The Brown Toy Box, introduces children to the world of STEAM, where coding is about creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. The event showcased the shared commitment of Microsoft NTA and The Brown Toy Box to nurture the next generation of innovators and build a brighter, code-savvy future.
The Nonprofit Tech Acceleration (NTA) program provides technology grants and technical consulting for US-based nonprofits that support Black and African American communities. Learn more about the NTA program by visiting aka.ms/NTA.