National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Thanks Partners for Ongoing Support in the Midst of COVID-19 Impacts
From the Desk of NSBE Executive Director, Karl Reid, Ed.D.
ALEXANDRIA, VA, – In this season of giving, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) wants to take this time to thank its partners for their steadfast support. While COVID-19 continues to disrupt every industry, organization, and community around the world, one thing has become clear: NSBE partners have been there for us. Partnership and connection is the only path to the new future.
While this has been one of our organization’s most difficult periods, we have been struck and buoyed by the continued support of many of our partners during this time. We would not be able to do what we do without the support of our partners. We want to take this moment to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all of our existing partners. However, this group below deserves special recognition for their extraordinary dedication and commitment to the NSBE mission.
- Internships – While on a hiring freeze, Dell and Northrop Grumman hired interns from the NSBE Career Center.
- Virtual Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) – Ann Theodore Foundation, Amazon Web Services, Cummins, Honeywell, KiwiCo, Northrop Grumman Foundation, and Trane Technologies served as Presenting Sponsors of our virtual SEEK program that benefited more than 1,300 students in three countries. Thanks to the generosity of our SEEK sponsors, every student registered for the program received an Amazon Fire 7 tablet and e-gift card, which allowed them to participate in all aspects of the virtual camp.
- Collegiate Support – Toyota and Trane Technologies provided $2,500 to local NSBE chapters, which supported collegiate members’ academic and social needs at the critical juncture when students were adjusting to virtual classes.
- Scholarships Support – Discover, Intel, Motorola, NV5, and USAA
- Philanthropic Support
In NSBE’s time of greatest need, the following corporations, foundations and individual donors stepped up to assist with charitable gifts:
- KiwiCo
- Walt Disney World
- XPRIZE Foundation
- Alex Cable
- William Crayon
- Peter Diamandis
- Darryl and Leslye Fraser
This support was essential as for the first time in our 45-year history, NSBE had to cancel our in-person Annual Convention and pivot to a virtual event. This event draws over 13,000 annually and serves as our largest fundraising event. As a non-profit organization, this has direct effects on our team’s day-to-day functioning and we had to make some very difficult decisions.
As we set a plan for what the next new normal might be, our mission remains constant and steadfast: to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. We know achieving our mission may be even more challenging as people of color feel the impacts of COVID-19 more acutely than other populations. However, we also know that our members are driven to positively impact the world around them and shape and redefine a future that creates opportunities for more members of our society.
We extend our deepest appreciation to all of the donors listed above, but we also want to extend “NSBE Luv” to the hundreds of corporations, foundations and individuals who empower the mission of the National Society of Black Engineers during good times and times of great struggle. With the unyielding help of our donors and supporters, NSBE will remain a pillar to bolster the goals and aspirations of our over 22,000 members worldwide.
For partnership opportunities contact:
Charles Thompson III
Senior Director, Fund Development and Marketing
cthompsoniii@nsbe.org
703-589-6642
For interview opportunities contact:
Yvette Watson
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
ywatson@nsbe.org
703-966-6793
