In 2021, PPG and the PPG Foundation today announced a commitment to invest $20 million by 2025 to address systemic racism and advance racial equity in the U.S. by funding educational pathways for Black communities and people of color.
Progress on our commitment: Investing in educational pathways for Black communities
At the end of 2023, 89% percent progress was made on this commitment. First, through support of Black people and people of color who are pursuing advanced studies in engineering, chemistry and data science and other STEM fields. We also invested in programs that encourage early interest among more young Black students, and students of color, through hands-on STEM experiences in afterschool programs, camps and in-school settings, as well as mentoring and career exposure.
“As we recognize Black History Month and enter the fourth year of our commitment, PPG and the PPG Foundation are teaming up with partner organizations that reach diverse students and communities to champion change and empower historically underrepresented populations with greater opportunities to achieve brighter futures,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility.
From the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) to RedChairPGH and the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, our partners share in our goals to make STEM learning accessible for all and remove limits to STEM learning. Read on to learn more about a sample of our 2023 partners.
- S.T.R.E.A.M. Global Innovations: Since 2017, the PPG Foundation has partnered with STREAM Global Innovations, an organization on a mission to connect the dots between education and career in low-income and underserved communities. The organization provides learning and activities in partnership with industry experts, schools, and organizations.
- FOSSI: A joint effort between the American Chemistry Council (ACC), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Chemours and HBCU Week Foundation established the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). This national industry-wide program seeks to increase the number of underrepresented professionals in the STEM workforce by providing scholarships to students pursuing preferred STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Click here to read about a FOSSI Scholar who interned at PPG.
- Thurgood Marshall College Foundation: The PPG Foundation supports 10 scholarships for students attending publicly supported HBCUs.
- American Chemical Society: ACS Scholars provides underrepresented, minority undergraduates with scholarship and mentoring support to earn degrees in the chemical sciences. The ACS Bridge Project aims to increase the percentage of underrepresented, minority students who receive PhD's in the chemical sciences. A PPG Foundation grant provided scholarships and support for undergraduate and graduate students to help them gain access to doctoral programs and to advance their career and professional development.
- First Robotics: In Greensboro, NC and Huntsville, Alabama, PPG Foundation grants support students' participation in STEM programs.
- Equal Justice Initiative: The PPG Foundation supports the EJI Legacy Scholars Grant in an effort to make the Legacy Museum and National Memorial more accessible by providing grants to under-resourced high schools for students to travel to and experience these sites.
To read more about the PPG Foundation and its partners, click here.