In late June, I participated in NPN’s Equity Breakfast discussion about equity, inclusion and economic growth in the City of New Orleans. Interestingly enough, just about a week later I moderated a town hall panel discussion on Inclusion in the Silicon Bayou as part of the Essence Festival’s #YesWeCode Hackathon. The focus of the hackathon was to look ways to bring more people of color into the tech industry via coding and web development.
Ironically, the town hall discussion spent very little time actually discussing coding and much time on where we are, as a community, in New Orleans and the obstacles related to accessing the tech world. There was also much conversation about solutions, which made for a very inspiring evening.
Most importantly for me, the town hall discussion meshed very well with the issue of equity, inclusion and economic growth. And for that reason, I am now a hardcore evangelist for STEM in New Orleans. STEM, for those who are unfamiliar, stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Whether in computers or other related disciplines, New Orleans can benefit tremendously by adopting a STEM mindset for our youth. I should also mention that STEM goes beyond computer chips, Bunsen burners, and analogs to include the trades on which much of New Orleans black history rests.
STEM is a domino that provides skills for “good paying” jobs which leads to a decrease in crime and an increase in homeownership, small business ownership and entrepreneurism. These all contribute to a higher quality of life, which attracts more business, and so on. STEM sets our young people on a direct path for those high wage jobs as a part of the Silicon Bayou movement. When considering New Orleans role as a part of “Hollywood South,” movies are simply plays without the basic elements of STEM. The coming Health Corridor is set to generate some 40,000 jobs, most of which depend on an understanding of STEM components. Many folks lament the number of programs that are developed to attract new people to the city. STEM offers a pathway for New Orleanians to participate in city’s growth and future outside of the hospitality and retail industries. When we tell our youth that they can be anything they want to be, STEM offers a buffet of opportunities for what that anything can be.
Over the coming months, be on the lookout as we set our sights on uplifting existing STEM programs, creating coding training opportunities and continuing the discussion until it becomes part of regular conversation at the local barber shops and beauty salons. STEM is by no means the end all to be all, but it is a tremendous opportunity for New Orleans residents to take control of the future direction of our city for our young people.
As part of his opening remarks for the town hall, Van Jones of CNN’s Rapid Fire talk show shared a story of a young man with a bird in his hand asking an old, wise man, “Is the bird dead or alive?” After some consideration, the wise man responded, “What I do know regarding the bird’s life or death situation is, either way, it’s in your hands.” New Orleans, the future of our city and its youth is in our hands.