A national collaboration advocating for women of color in STEM pathways is coming to Hawaiʻi. The annual Women of Color STEM Entrepreneurship Conference is scheduled March 18–20 on Hawaiʻi Island. Registration is available online.
This year’s conference aims to outline a 10-year map of more equitable systems for underrepresented girls and women of color in STEM fields. Attendees will get a chance to collaborate with local girls to learn about cultural barriers, culturally inclusive practices to support minority women in computing, and how to foster cross-disciplinary coaltions to affect change.
Young women attending the event will be able to connect with mentors, find inspiration and networking opportunities. The event is open to entrepreneurs, academics, educators, venture capitalists, investors, college and graduate students, male allies, nonprofit leaders, and others who are interested in addressing race, gender, and ethnic disparities in computing.
Guest speakers will include: Kaʻiulani Murphy, Hōkūleʻa crewmember and UH Mānoa instructor; Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center; Laurie Rousseau-Nepton, resident astronomer at Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope; Ko‘olaupoko (Kiana Frank), a microorganisms scientist; and Brenda Darden Wilkerson, president and CEO of AnitaB.org.
