Black Engineer of the Year Honorees Launch Major Donation Campaign

BALTIMORE - Oct. 24, 2023 - PRLog -- Honorees of the prestigious Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) have announced the launch of a significant donation campaign. This campaign is set to raise over one million dollars in support of the Black Engineer of the Year Conference and the groundbreaking initiative, CollinAI.

The campaign to raise over one million dollars for the Black Engineer of the Year Conference and CollinAI is being led by the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Steering Committee. The members of this committee, as mentioned in the press release, include:

• Linda R. Gooden, Retired Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions
• Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, President Emeritus of UMBC
• Dr. Lydia W. Thomas, Retired President & CEO of Noblis
• Stephanie C. Hill, Executive Vice President of Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin

These individuals are spearheading the efforts and reaching out to the Honorees of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards to gather support for the campaign.

CollinAI stands out as the world's first artificial intelligence-powered digital library dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of women and minority participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

The campaign's urgency has been heightened by recent developments, including the construction of the AI Digital Library, an exceptional opportunity for matching funds from the State of Maryland, and the unexpected loss of Congressional funding earmarked for BEYA.

In a heartfelt letter addressed to the BEYA Honorees, the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Steering Committee, including luminaries like Linda R. Gooden, Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, Dr. Lydia W. Thomas, and Stephanie C. Hill, detailed the importance and impact of BEYA over the past four decades.

The letter recalls memorable BEYA moments, from inspiring stories of perseverance shared on the BEYA stage to transformative community-building experiences. These recollections serve as poignant reminders of BEYA's lasting legacy and its crucial role in nurturing and recognizing Black excellence in engineering and science.

With a rallying call of "Giving Back. If Not Us, Who?", the Steering Committee has urged the Honorees to contribute to the campaign and leverage their professional networks for matching funds, thereby amplifying the impact of each donation.

Contributions can be made online at https://intouch.ccgmag.com/mpage/FEDI_ToDonate or through mail-in donations addressed to FEDI ICO: BEYA Steering Committee, 729 E. Pratt Street, Floor 5, Baltimore, MD 21202.

The Steering Committee expressed their confidence in the BEYA community, stating, "The success of BEYA is a testament to the capabilities and achievements of Black engineers like you. Now, we have one more significant contribution to make—ensuring that BEYA continues to inspire, uplift, and create opportunities for the generations that follow."

As BEYA approaches its 40th year, this campaign embodies the institution's enduring commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and excellence in STEM fields.

About BEYA:

The Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) is a prestigious recognition platform that celebrates the accomplishments of Black engineers in the STEM fields. For nearly four decades, BEYA has empowered, mentored, and inspired countless individuals, solidifying its position as a beacon of excellence and innovation.  https://www.beya.org

About CollinAI:

CollinAI is the world's first AI-powered digital library dedicated to preserving and amplifying the history and contributions of women and minorities in STEM. This initiative is pivotal in championing diversity and ensuring that the stories of trailblazers in these fields are never forgotten.