WASHINGTON--GE (NYSE: GE) Employees from the General Electric Company began gathering today for the 21st Annual Global Diversity Symposium. While in Washington, D.C., they will volunteer alongside the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), to introduce 300 local middle-school students to careers in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing. In addition to the two-day Symposium organized by the company’s African American Forum (AAF), GE leaders will meet with customers and strategic partners to discuss global health priorities, energy issues, and investment opportunities in Sub Saharan Africa.
“We are committed to improving the quality of, and access to education in our nation and around the world,” commented Pamela Jackson-Hall, AAF operating leader. “Our partnership with the NSBE, reflects GE’s desire to equip our youth with the science and technology skills needed to compete and become leaders of tomorrow.”
GE has a long-standing commitment to drive technological innovation and is partnered with NSBE to offer scholarships and internships, mentorship and developmental summer camps. GE is sponsoring and partnering with NSBE to host a community outreach event at the Eliot-Hine Middle School auditorium Wednesday, July 11 beginning at 9 a.m. Activities include a robotics demo, various interactive science project stations, and a demo from DJ 5Starr, a Morgan State University Engineering graduate, on how science and engineering are needed to be successful in the DJ industry.
"We are excited to have GE’s African American Forum in our city to promote Science and Technology. Science, technology, and engineering for our youth is a major focus of our administration and school districts. We welcome great partners such as GE to assist with moving this initiative forward," said Mayor Vincent Gray.
The Symposium brings together 1,400 professionals from across the globe to network, exchange ideas, and discuss current business initiatives. A major highlight of the Symposium will be a summit focused on how companies can support growth in Africa. Panels including GE leaders and global thought leaders will explore how to build partnerships and target investments particularly in the areas of energy and healthcare. One of the featured panels will be presented by GE healthymagination’s All Faces campaign. The panel titled, “Perspectives from the Front Lines of Battling Breast Cancer” which will focus on health disparities with the triple negative breast cancer specifically, which disproportionately affects African American woman. Other highlights of the Symposium include forums focusing on globalization, health & wellness, and leadership; with several high-profile guest speakers in attendance including the Reverend Al Sharpton, U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, and award-winning actor Richard Roundtree.
“At GE, we bring our technology and people together to solve the world’s toughest challenges,” said Jackson-Hall. “This convening allows us to reflect with partners, customers and local leaders about how best to empower people locally and globally to create communities that will thrive in today’s environment.”
GE’s African American Forum was formed in 1991 as GE’s first affinity network. The AAF leverages diversity at GE to build confidence, share experiences and enhance career potential for employees. It provides opportunities for self-improvement, networking with other GE employees from similar cultures and learning from the experiences of others.
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Source: Business Wire
