Spelman creating a data dashboard to spotlight women of color working in STEM

Spelman's Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM serves as the hub for all STEM undergraduate research and training. (Photo courtesy of Matt Odom)

Spelman College and Google are working together to shine a spotlight on women of color working in STEM.

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the leading tech giant, recently awarded Spelman’s Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM a $5 million grant to create a data dashboard that will highlight Black, Latina and Indigenous women who work and study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

“These untold stories, they are the key to unlocking the system barriers, said Melonie Parker, Google’s chief diversity officer.

Parker, and Dr. Tasha Innis, a mathematician and an associate provost for research at Spelman College, were guests on “Closer Look.”

They talked with program host Rose Scott about how the grant will be used, the strides that Black women have made in STEM, and the importance of creating stronger pipelines for Black women in STEM to be seen and credited for their work.

“Our mission in Spelman’s Center of Excellence for Minority Women is to be an exemplar for the nation as we equip, empower and elevate women of color and other women who are historically underrepresented groups in STEM to thrive and lead,” explained Dr. Innis.