Tag: 3BL

Originally published on GoDaddy

Improvement in digital infrastructure leads to increased microbusiness activity, engagement, and job creation.It’s now a baseline to have strong connectivity and proper infrastructure in your community, which wasn’t the case pre-COVID-19.Investment in infrastructure can level the playing field

TEMPE, Ariz., November 8, 2024 /3BL/ — Job creation due to digital infrastructure investment skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic. Recent data from GoDaddy and UCLA Anderson Forecast shows that digital infrastructure improvement created 280,000+ jobs nationwide – equivalent to the population of Reno – between April 2020 and March 2024. 

Growth in infrastructure index, April 2020 and March 2024

STATEGROWTH IN INFRA. INDEXMAI COMPOSITE  INFRA.PARTICIPATIONENGAGEMENTMississippi9%98.197.496.3104.4Alabama8%100.399.898.0104.3Louisiana7%99.799.098.1103.6New Mexico7%100.199.698.2103.7Tennessee7%102.2101.899.8103.8Kentucky7%101.4100.898.3105.4Arkansas7%99.899.397.3104.9West Virginia6%98.496.796.8105.4South Carolina6%102.4102.699.7103.4Oklahoma6%102.0102.499.7102.6

However, not all regions are created equal. The South and Southeast regions of the United States, in particular, experienced unparalleled growth in microbusiness activity and job creation due to investments and improvements in digital infrastructure. The states with the highest growth in the infrastructure index over the last four years include:

These findings stem from GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative and UCLA Anderson Forecast. The organizations jointly publish the Microbusiness Activity Index (MAI) report every year to quantify, measure, and compare microbusiness activity across communities and nationwide over time. The Microbusiness Activity Index is comprised of three subindices: Digital infrastructure (how easy it is to access internet and computers and the availability of local human capital), Participation (how many microbusiness entrepreneurs and ventures there are), and Engagement (how active the websites are). The data also shows that a one-point increase in the infrastructure index, which encompasses human capital and digital elements like broadband and computer accessibility, corresponds to an increase of 89 jobs in a county.

“Reliable access to strong broadband connectivity is really the key to greater economic opportunity and prosperity, particularly when combined with the skills to use it for business ventures,” said Alexandra Rosen, Global Head of Venture Forward. “The research captures how investment made in digital infrastructure further levels the playing field for entrepreneurs across the country.”

“The correlation between increased digital infrastructure and microbusiness activity further points to the pivotal role good connectivity plays in economic growth,” said William Yu, UCLA Anderson Forecast economist. “Nationwide, regions are prioritizing their broadband investment, and as a result, creating more jobs.”

To learn more about the Microbusiness Activity Index and how microbusinesses influence local and national economies, visit https://www.godaddy.com/ventureforward/explore-the-data/?cfips=28049/ 

About GoDaddy Venture Forward

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. To find out more about GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research, visit: www.godaddy.com/ventureforward.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place, and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com. 

About UCLA Anderson Forecast

UCLA Anderson Forecast is one of the most widely watched and often-cited economic outlooks for California and the nation and was unique in predicting both the seriousness of the early-1990s downturn in California and the strength of the state’s rebound since 1993. The Forecast was credited as the first major U.S. economic forecasting group to call the recession of 2001 and, in March 2020, it was the first to declare that the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had already begun.
www.uclaforecast.com  

About UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson School of Management is among the leading business schools in the world, with faculty members globally renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Located in Los Angeles, a gateway to the growing economies of Latin America and Asia and a city that personifies innovation in a diverse range of endeavors, UCLA Anderson’s MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, UCLA-NUS Executive MBA, Master of Financial Engineering, Master of Science in Business Analytics, doctoral and executive education programs embody the school’s Think in the Next ethos. Annually, some 1,800 students are trained to be global leaders seeking the business models and community solutions of tomorrow.
www.anderson.ucla.edu

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

Originally published on Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

Wesco, as an inaugural sponsor of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, has provided support for the home repair collaboration that transforms lives and builds brighter futures. 

Read about Derek, an Army veteran with 24 years of service, and the home that has been in his family for generations below.

Derek had always felt a deep connection to the home that had been in his family for generations. It was more than just a house; it was a sanctuary, a place where memories had been built, laughter had echoed through the halls, and where ten siblings had grown up together. Derek, the second of ten children, had spent his entire childhood in that home, where he learned the values of love, hard work, and family unity.

After their parents could no longer care for the house, Derek’s older sister took it over, preserving the family’s legacy. But life had its own plans, and after getting married, she moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband. She asked Derek to move in temporarily, just until they figured out what to do with the property. That temporary arrangement stretched into over a decade. The house became Derek’s refuge, his reminder of the past, and his responsibility to the future.

Derek wasn’t ready to let go. When his sister decided she wanted to sell the house, Derek decided he would take over the property, not just to keep it from being sold, but to preserve it as a place where the family could always come together. It was more than bricks and mortar; it was the heart of their family.

But the house was old, and time had not been kind to it. Raccoons had been a problem for years, but recently, the damage had become severe. The kitchen and living room roofs were leaking badly, and Derek, despite his best efforts, couldn’t keep up with the repairs. He worked as a teaching aide in a school for at-risk kids, a job he loved, but it didn’t pay enough to cover the extensive repairs the house needed.

Derek had served his country with pride, spending 24 years in the Army, both active and reserve, including deployments overseas during Desert Storm. He had trained soldiers, served as a Major, and had been responsible for running basic training cycles at Fort Benning, but none of that had prepared him for the challenges of homeownership on a tight budget.

It was his sister who told him about the Habitat Home Repair Program. Skeptical at first, Derek decided to apply. To his relief, the application was approved, and within six weeks, Habitat for Humanity’s partners had repaired his roof. The weight on his shoulders lifted. With the roof now secure, Derek could focus on smaller projects around the house, ensuring that it would remain in the family for generations to come.

The house that had seen so much history, so many stories, was safe again. Derek felt a deep sense of gratitude, not just for the physical repairs, but for the opportunity to preserve a legacy. His home was now, as it had always been, a place where his family could gather, where the memories of the past could blend with the dreams of the future.

Learn more about Wesco’s commitments to make a positive and lasting impact within the communities where our employees work and reside here.

Originally published on HARMAN Newsroom

Ahead of the holiday season, JBL, the leading audio brand known for pushing boundaries through sound and innovation, set out to learn more about how Americans will combat the biggest travel stressors. Amid all the chaos that comes with flying across the country and commuting from city-to-city, 83% of Americans say that the right pair of headphones/earbuds will get them through most travel challenges.

Headphones are a Must-Have for Holiday Season Travel 

Most Americans will find themselves in cramped and tight spaces this holiday season – 82% of Americans will hit the road and get to their destination via car, while 40% of Americans plan to fly and will book economy seats. The most common stressors Americans will face are misplacing important documents like an ID or passport (28%), missing a flight (27%), and losing luggage or a phone (20%).

Through it all, high-quality music or audio will be essential in alleviating stress. Americans will use earbuds or headphones for streaming content (24%), pass the time with apps (22%), with the goal of drowning out as many distractions as possible (20%).Americans have a surprising definition of airline “comfort.” Earbuds and headphones (42%) are ranked as a travel item they cannot live without, with extra leg room (11%), in-flight meals (9%) and travel pillows (12%) trailing far behind.Friendships will be tested. The next time you realize you’ve forgotten an item at the airport, don’t expect friends to be so generous – Americans are most unwilling to lend a pair of earbuds/headphones (47%), toiletries (36%), and clothing (34%).

A Noisy Seatmate is a Major Travel Nuisance 

From delayed departures to lost luggage, plenty can go awry during the busiest travel season of the year. When it comes to flying 30,000 feet in the sky, Americans prioritize space and silence above all. The most common airplane annoyances are when the person sitting ahead reclines their seat all the way back (29%), a neighbor doesn’t use earbuds/headphones on their computer or phone (27%), or when a person chooses to sit next to them on a nearly empty flight (18%).

Noise canceling audio will be an essential earbud feature this season, with Americans admitting that they’d go to great lengths to avoid noisy seatmates. If given the choice to sit next to someone who listens to their audio aloud or switch with someone else, a whopping 68% would choose an aisle seat, 33% would take on the responsibility of sitting next to an emergency exit, and 22% would resort to a seat next to the airplane restrooms.

Are headphones the universal “do not disturb” sign? Maybe. 21% of travelers admit that they will wear earbuds/headphones to avoid speaking to people while traveling, while the majority are just passing the time with entertainment (51%) or drowning out the noise (24%).Americans are sick of overhearing strangers’ conversations. People who take phone calls on speaker phones in airport restaurants (24%) and conference calls in airport lounges (19%) are the most irritating.Noisy neighbors are (unfortunately) becoming more and more common. 35% of Americans admit to listening to audio without headphones in public when they really need to hear something, 26% consistently do but keep their volume low, and a shameless 6% do it all the time and see no problem with it.

The Key to Quiet Travel

Ultimately, Americans believe fellow travelers should wear earbuds/headphones in public to simply be considerate of others (83%). With music or podcasts being the optimal way to tune out a long flight or bus ride, it only works effectively when it doesn’t interfere with the comfort of seatmates.

Americans want more airport and train signage to discourage playing audio or music aloud. 76% of Americans would like to see more “use headphones” signs in public places with 58% saying that we’ve reached public crisis levels and more action should be taken to create more quiet spaces.

Who’s in charge of keeping audio volume low? Americans say it should be airline staff. 66% of Americans want airline staff to step in when someone plays a movie without earbuds/headphones on a plane. 72% think the easy-fix is that staff should suggest they use a complimentary pair of wired headphones.

 

During Climate Week NYC, Workiva released a report with research on how companies are getting ready for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and how practitioners feel about it. Dig into the findings in this crossover episode with ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds, Off the Books host Steve Soter, and Workiva Industry Principals Alyssa Zucker and Esther Toth.

Listen Now

Looking for more? Subscribe to the ESG Talk podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

ESG Talk is brought to you by Workiva, the world’s only unified platform for financial reporting, ESG, audit, and risk. Learn more at workiva.com.

Mastercard

“In 10 years, I see myself with a bigger company that can help more people. I want to have more employees, more people who become part of my family.”

Rosa Rodrigues is the owner of Renacer, a stamping and branding firm in Bogota, Colombia, one of the millions of micro, small and medium-size businesses that power the country’s economy. While these enterprises comprise more than 99% of the country’s businesses and generate nearly 80% of Colombia’s jobs, they still struggle with income volatility and are underpowered when it comes to accessing the digital solutions they need to build resilience and grow.

To help entrepreneurs like Rodrigues make their mark, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth last month launched Mastercard Strive Colombia, part of its global initiative to help digitally transform small businesses. Programs like Strive played a critical role in helping Mastercard fulfill its commitment to bring 50 million small businesses into the digital economy through card acceptance by 2025, a goal it recently met.

Through partnerships with Fundación Capital, Common Cents Lab, the Center for Economic Studies-ANIF and the Financial Access Initiative of New York University, the program seeks to support more than 80,000 micro and small businesses in Colombia, helping them access new markets, develop sales channels, expand their businesses and implement digital marketing strategies. Tailored solutions will help them improve their liquidity management and the high volatility their businesses face.

To learn more about Mastercard Strive, watch the video above.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Originally published by Mastercard

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is crucial as it equips students with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative skills necessary to succeed. It not only sparks an interest in career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but it also nurtures a curiosity and love of learning critical for anyone to thrive into adulthood. STEM education prepares students to be future leaders and changemakers in the modern workforce and as members of our society. Yet, despite its importance, today, there is a waning interest in STEM among youth, and many schools are struggling to keep these vital programs alive.

Schools today face enormous resource constraints that are making it difficult to provide support for STEM education, ultimately impacting student readiness and learning. Recent data shows that only 20% of high school graduates are ready for college-level coursework in STEM majors. Another study shows that due to systemic barriers to higher education, like grade requirements and standardized testing benchmarks, many high school students who are interested in STEM may choose not to enroll in high-level courses to preserve their GPA, resulting in these programs being discontinued or deprioritized. These setbacks speak to a competency gap that can be supplemented through innovative approaches to programming.

This STEM Day, we recognize the value of partnership and collaboration to deliver dynamic programs that can complement school curriculum and inspire a lifelong passion in STEM learning for curious young minds.

Creative Solutions for Overcoming Limits in STEM Education

According to a recent study, early and diversified exposure to STEM helps students understand its importance and may encourage them to pursue higher education or careers in the field. That means designing creative ways and multiple avenues for children to develop a connection to STEM. This can look like utilizing digital tools and platforms, field trips, after school programs, online learning, clubs, and extracurricular community activities.

Quality community programs are integral to supporting classroom education. Corporations and organizations can play a pivotal role in re-framing and investing in STEM education within their communities. Putting resources toward STEM programs and initiatives not only positively impacts the community by addressing educational disparities and opening new avenues for learning, but it is also a way to invest in building a future pipeline of talented STEM workers.

Taking Advantage of Community-Driven Learning Programs

Programs that extend learning beyond the classroom are proven to drive continued engagement in STEM. Research suggests that extracurricular STEM education improves students’ attitudes toward STEM, which has a direct association with achievement. A 2023 study found that participation in STEM extracurricular activities had a direct numerical correlation with a student’s interest in pursuing a STEM-related career. Qualitative data in the same study demonstrated that these students found STEM education outside of the classroom even more valuable than their classroom experience, citing more positive interactions with their instructors. They also build essential skills such as perseverance and critical thinking.

Community-driven learning has benefits that extend beyond building upon what students experience in the classroom. These programs help alleviate ongoing resource constraints schools are facing by providing access to opportunities that complement lesson plans. Informal learning also inspires youth, especially girls and youth of color, to gain confidence in their ability to understand and pursue STEM.

In Connecticut, a Community-Driven STEM Program Grows and Flourishes

There is a robust opportunity within communities to supplement STEM education demands. The Mill River Park Collaborative in Stamford, CT, and its partnership with Henkel Researchers’ World is an example of how corporations and community organizations can collaborate on programming to promote STEM education year-round.

Henkel Researchers’ World is a global educational initiative with the goal to spark interest in science among elementary-school-aged-children by putting them in the shoes of the researcher. First launched at Henkel’s headquarters in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 2011, it has since reached over 100,000 children worldwide. Experiments introduce students to scientific methods, and thematic workshops that teach them about important scientific topics like green energy and climate change. In 2021, Henkel Researchers’ World launched in North America. In Stamford, Henkel and local nonprofit organization Mill River Park Collaborative opened a dedicated classroom in their Whittingham Discovery Center, equipped with modern lab equipment and workstations. Trained teen docents operate a mobile ‘discovery cart,’ that travels throughout the park and offers 20-minute pop-up lessons to visitors.

The unique partnership between Henkel and Mill River Park Collaborative has had a tremendous impact on the community. Since its 2021 launch, 5,000 children have participated in the Henkel Researchers’ World program in Stamford CT. The in-person program at Mill River Park Collaborative has been adopted by a local school district as it not only meets next generation science standards, but also meets the curriculum requirements for 4th grade classes district-wide. This reflects how developing programs that support STEM education outside the classroom can be an invaluable asset.

The impact of the program has also extended beyond the students participating. Mila Prakapenka, a former docent operating one of the ‘discovery carts’ last summer, is now a sophomore at Duke University studying electrical engineering and computer science. She shared how getting involved with Henkel Researchers’ World helped fuel her own passion for STEM and solar energy, which she is now pursuing as a career. This reflects the value of introducing STEM to students outside of the traditional classroom and early on in their education.

“I was familiar with solar energy before being a docent and teaching solar lessons, but I feel like I learned the most by teaching people and having them ask questions. Through the Henkel Researchers’ World lessons, I grew my interest in the field while helping young students see themselves as scientists.”

Community Partnerships Fuel STEM Education

The collaboration exemplifies how community partnerships can significantly enhance STEM education beyond the traditional classroom setting. This community-focused approach not only fosters a deeper understanding of STEM but also engages students by allowing them to learn in a dynamic and pressure-free environment.

“Our partnership with Henkel and Henkel Researchers’ World is about enriching the community and inspiring kids to explore science and nature in and out of the classroom. We are tailoring our curriculum to the needs of future generations, exposing more young minds to STEM, and bridging the gap in education for as many students as possible,” said Kristia Janowski, Director of Education and Sustainability at Mill River Park Collaborative.

To ensure STEM education can thrive it’s critical for community leaders, educators, and corporations, to continue working together to find new and innovative approaches to learning. Investing in programs that go beyond the classroom is part of supporting the education system and can have a lasting impact on student success and the community at large.

When Hurricane Helene hit in late September, it had tragic consequences for western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and the surrounding regions that were unaccustomed to dealing with this type of severe weather.

Driven by a mission of bringing family and community together over barbecue, but more importantly bringing food to those in need, the Kingsford brand was compelled to aid in the relief effort. Over the past six weeks, I’ve had the privilege of joining forces with our retail partner Harris Teeter, based in Matthews, North Carolina, and an incredible network of pitmasters — including two Preserve the Pit fellows — to bring support to communities impacted by the hurricane. Our journey has taken us from Hendersonville, North Carolina, to Gray, Tennessee, and beyond, as we’ve worked hand in hand with Operation BBQ Relief and other local heroes.

Here’s a glimpse into our recent efforts:

Ron Simmons, Year 1 Preserve the Pit Fellow: Ron and his Masterblend crew partnered with the Manna Food Bank of Asheville to deliver hot meals to staff, local volunteers, and vendors, providing much-needed relief to this western North Carolina city hit hard by the hurricane.

Tay Nelson, Year 3 Preserve the Pit Fellow: Tay traveled to Hendersonville and helped serve hundreds of meals daily, supported by Skeeter and the Operation BBQ Relief team.

George Ewart of Dead End BBQ in Knoxville, Tennessee: Thanks to a referral from brand ambassador Chris Lilly, we connected George with the regional lead from Operation BBQ Relief. George didn’t hesitate to load up his rig and head to Gray to prepare meals at scale.

Harris Teeter, Grocery Partner: Provided a truck and driver to pick up 25 pallets of donated items, including Clorox Liquid Bleach, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Clorox Manual Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Glad Trash and Food Storage Bags, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing and Kitchen Bouquet Browning Sauce from our regional distribution center in Fairburn, Georgia, to deliver to Manna Food Bank in Mills River, North Carolina.

I’m so proud to be part of this work and see the barbecue community come together to help these communities as they begin the slow recovery process. Together we are making a difference, one meal at a time.

So proud of our GP PRO (Georgia-Pacific) teams for raising $12K+ to support the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research! Eric Jungslager and CHRIS NAKOS recently co-hosted our first Rally 5K Fun Run/Walk in memory of Rally kid Caroline Belcher. It was an honor to celebrate Caroline’s memory with her mom Emily Belcher at our National Business Meeting as we united to support Rally kids everywhere. 

Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eMgW3gAT

Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. Our familiar consumer brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its Georgia-Pacific Recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs more than 30,000 people directly and creates approximately 89,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com/about-us . For news, visit: gp.com/news

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Addressing world leaders during the Summit of the Future at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach thanked them wholeheartedly for including sport in the Pact for the Future. The landmark document was adopted by the 193 UN Member States on Sunday.

/3BL/ – “Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the adoption of the Pact for the Future. In particular, I would like to thank you for recognising the role of sport as an important enabler – and indeed, accelerator – to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The recent Olympic Games Paris 2024 illustrate in an excellent way how the IOC is contributing to the SDGs through sport,” said the IOC President during the plenary session.

“We are ready to continue and strengthen this contribution of sport in the framework of the Pact for the Future – because this Pact perfectly reflects our Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together,” President Bach continued.

Sport is mentioned multiple times in the Pact for the Future, where, in Action 11 of the 56 Actions, the UN Member States declare: “We will protect and promote culture and sport as integral components of sustainable development.”

They continue: “We recognise that culture as well as sport offer individuals and communities a strong sense of identity and fosters social cohesion. We also recognise that sport can contribute to individuals’ and communities’ health and wellbeing. Culture as well as sport therefore are important enablers of sustainable development.”

Furthermore, the UN Member States say in the Pact: “We decide to ensure that culture as well as sport can contribute to more effective, inclusive, equitable and sustainable development, and integrate culture into economic, social and environmental development policies and strategies and ensure adequate public investment in the protection and promotion of culture.”

Sport is also mentioned in the Declaration on Future Generations, which is part of the Pact for the Future. In this document, the UN Member States commit to “invest in accessible, safe, inclusive and equitable quality education for all, including physical education and sport, and promote opportunities for lifelong learning, technical and vocational training, and digital literacy, allowing for the intergenerational acquisition and transfer of knowledge and skills to advance the prospects of future generations”.

The inclusion of sport in the Pact for the Future is another milestone in the IOC’s work with the UN, with which the IOC has the status of Permanent Observer. In 2015, in a historic moment for sport and the Olympic Movement, sport was officially recognised by the UN as an “important enabler” of sustainable development and included in the UN’s Agenda 2030.

In his speech at the Summit of the Future on Sunday, the IOC President said: “The IOC considers peace as the most fundamental of the SDGs. This is why we are very happy and proud that, despite all the geopolitical tensions, we were able to bring together the athletes from the territories of all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team (in Paris).”

Before highlighting other achievements of the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, he went on: “Before the Olympic Games these athletes joined for a powerful call for peace. During the Olympic Games, they competed fiercely against each other. At the same time, they lived peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. They shared their meals, their experience and their emotions. They respected each other, with no incident or discrimination whatsoever – even if their countries are at war. With all this, the athletes created a culture of peace – showing us how our world would be, if we all were to live in the Olympic spirit of peaceful coexistence.”

Please find here the full speech by the IOC President.

Please find here the Pact for the Future including the Declaration on Future Generations.

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The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.2 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

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For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000, email: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our web site at www.ioc.org.

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The IOC Newsroom: https://newsroom.olympics.com/

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Amid the bright backdrop of Q2 Stadium, home to Austin FC, AMD welcomed 45 students and staff members from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, TX, for a special hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experience in honor of National STEM Day in the United States. The Ann Richards School is a unique, public all-girls school of choice dedicated to preparing young women, including those who may otherwise be held back from achieving their full potential, to attend and graduate college, commit to a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle, lead with courage and compassion, and solve problems creatively and ethically in support of the global community.

Working alongside an all-women AMD volunteer team, students ranging from sixth through ninth grades successfully assembled 15 AMD-powered computer systems containing AMD Radeon™ RX 6900 XT and AMD Radeon™ RX 7600 graphics cards and AMD Ryzen™ 5 7600X processors. AMD wholeheartedly believes in the importance of empowering the next generation of computer and engineering innovators – especially future female leaders – and was proud to offer this opportunity to such an eager and deserving group.

“We were absolutely thrilled to bring our students to build these computers. We are always looking for ways to expose our students to women in STEM careers, and this activity was a perfect way to do just that. Our students loved putting the computers together with the volunteers from AMD, and they were able to hear about the paths so many of these professional women took to get into the STEM jobs they currently hold,” said Jill DiCuffa, director of programs at the Ann Richards School.

National STEM Day, celebrated annually on November 8, highlights the importance of STEM education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that STEM careers will continue to grow at twice the rate of other careers over the next several years, and it is critical that we continue to nurture capable, thoughtful and imaginative thinkers ready to fill those roles.[i] In addition, we know that women make up only a fraction of computer and engineering professionals, and according to the Global Semiconductor Association’s 2023 industry survey, the median representation of women in technical areas of the semiconductor workforce falls low in the 10-19% range.[ii] That’s why AMD invests in programs that help foster young women’s STEM education early – building their confidence around technology and growing their curiosity and interest in future careers.

Leslie Pirritano, senior global DB&I influencer relations manager at AMD and a recognized and accomplished leader in the video game industry, led the day’s computer build for the students. Leslie actively works to promote diversity within the video game space, and she invests her personal time building PCs for gaming and streaming. “I was so excited to be in the room with so many passionate young women and supportive colleagues. Changing the world from our perspective, as those who work in technology, starts with supporting programs that reach youth. STEM programs are critical to changing the landscape of our industry to include more perspectives, different voices, and ultimately better technology.”

In addition to an inspiring day of learning, the students were thrilled to learn that the 15 computer systems they built would be donated back to their school. Not only will the systems serve as a proud reminder of their accomplishment, but hopefully, the systems will continue to inspire their fellow classmates’ own STEM exploration for years to come. At AMD, together we advance STEM Education.

For more information on STEM initiatives at AMD, please visit: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/digital-impact.html

Footnotes

[i] U.S. Department of Labor, STEM Day: Explore Growing Careers, https://blog.dol.gov/2022/11/04/stem-day-explore-growing-careers.

[ii] GSA: Women in the semiconductor industry 2023, https://www.gsaglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-ACN-GSA-Survey-Results-Presentation-BRIEF-2.pdf.