1. NASA Makes Big Research Investments At Several Universities To Boost STEM Diversity: NASA is investing about $18 million into research projects at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). The goal is to aid in important research, but also ensure these schools become more competitive for STEM applicants and graduate more competitive students into STEM fields.
2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: 10 Lessons From 231 CHROs: Responses from 231 Chief Human Resource Officers have been condensed to 10 top lessons discussing aligning diversity goals with equity and inclusion goals, connecting them with a company’s unique culture, and setting processes for transparency to form trust in employees and the public.
(Gallup https://www.gallup.com/workplace/352742/diversity-equity-inclusion-lessons-231-chros.aspx)
3. Technology diversity nonprofit NPower opens permanent Detroit space: Nonprofit organization NPower has opened an education space to work on increasing diversity within the technology industry. “The organization offers veterans and youth from underserved communities a free, six-month training in preparation for jobs in the tech field.” Students who completed the training had an average 519% pay increase and the program has partnered with local tech companies like Rock Central, Shift Digital and Google.
(Detroit News https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2021/08/17/technology-diversity-nonprofit-npower-opens-permanent-detroit-space/8164052002/)
4. Atlanta Seeks To Address Soaring Joblessness Among Hard-Hit LGBTQ Community: Work culture impacted the LBGTQ community before the pandemic hit, but in more vulnerable jobs, either from negative sentiments against the community at their workplace or by working in less traditional spaces to stay safe, many have lost their livelihoods. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has taken action with Goodwill of North Georgia to provide more job opportunities through a virtual LGBTQ Opportunity Fair. Top companies are participating, including: Equifax, Amazon, and Advance Auto Parts.
(Georgia Public Broadcasting https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/07/28/atlanta-seeks-address-soaring-joblessness-among-hard-hit-lgbtq-community)
5. U.S. Census 2020 - Georgia Becomes More Diverse: The Census Bureau has released demographic data portraying how the U.S. has changed over the last decade. Georgia's population is shifting away from rural areas toward metro Atlanta, and those who identify as white/non-Hispanic now consist of the lowest share on record - 50.1%, down 2.9% from the previous lowest recorded population.
(WTOC https://www.wtoc.com/2021/08/16/georgia-gets-more-urban-diverse-white-residents-dip/)
- Kate Billard, Graduate Assistant