Launching Educational Assistance Programs Forward Inc

C.A.S.H. NSBE Program - Continued facilitation of the Pre-College Initiative membership (Creative and Striving Hard to Succeed (CASH)) program in collaboration with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) for 80+ underrepresented ethnic youth exposing them to careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and technology (STEM). The Youth were provided: (1) In-person STEM monthly sessions; (2) Exposure to the Southern Maryland Autonomous Research and Technology facility and laboratories (3D printing, electrical and mechanical engineering); (3) Engagement in experiential learning; (4) Exposure to Guest speakers representing diverse STEM Fields such as former Astronaut Frederick Gregory. (5) Participation in STEM competition teams including FIRST LEGO robotics, Kidwind (wind energy), coding, aerial drones, Ten80 race car and math competitions. We were also approved to start a high school FIRST Robotics team (kits $6000). Competition teams did very well. The aerial drone team completed two Maryland competitions and was selected to go District competitions in West Virginia. Three KidWind (wind energy) teams placed in competitions in Atlanta and were invited to attend the World competition in Minnesota but teams deferred to 2025 to fundraise. Our Ten80 team received several awards (first place in racing and overall champions and third place in enterprise design for the DMV area). The team was invited and participated in the National competition in Charlotte, NC. (6) An opportunity to return to the NSBE national conference in Atlanta and participated in numerous competition teams and received several awards including the FIRST Lego Innovation Award. Continued our CASH NSBE Jr. students STEM Dreams with a series of leadership presentations, motivational speakers, and hands-on activities. (www.cashnsbejr.com). Utilizing staff at the SMART building and other STEM professionals, the students engaged in two long-term projects including building desktop computers and designing and building an Electric Vehicle (EV kit $5000). The computers upon completion will be used to teach AI to our middle school population. The EV car is being constructed by our high school students with a goal to actually race the car in May 2025. Our elementary students continued hands on learning via the use of various STEM kits and projects. With six graduating seniors in 2024, five pursued STEM majors in college. Grant funding increased. Several fundraisers (Double Good popcorn, Chipotle, Mod pizza, Krispy Kreme, calendar sales, spring 2024 auction) were also held to increase revenue. One of our past chapter Presidents won the national Pre-College Initiative student male of the year award. The chapter received the 2024 Concerned Black Women of Calvert County award for Community Excellence.

LEAP Forward, MHHA Historical Exhibits, & Destined4Success Program - Continued offering educational services for disadvantaged and underrepresented ethnic youth that included the following objectives: (a) Promoted the awareness of career opportunities in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; (b) Provided access to college planning assistance; and (c) Provided mentoring and tutoring service; (d) Supported a record number of schools and community events with our Black History and Art exhibit in February, providing exposure to our rich African American history. Objectives were implemented by the following activities: (1) Provided cultural awareness to thousands. We displayed the exhibit at Calvert High, Thomas Stone High, Suitland High and expanded to Calvert Middle School (MD), Patuxent High School (MD), Charles Flowers High School (MD) and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA). Additionally, we exhibited at Carroll Western UM Church, NAACP Juneteenth celebration, Calvert Health Hospital, and Mt. Olive UM Church's annual car show. An extra addition included the rich history of local Calvert County residents in our Local History Makers and Local Living Legends exhibit. We repeated the Black History essay contest in 2024 and received over 50 entries. We awarded $1870 in prizes as the essays were so good that all who entered received an award. (2) Recipient of the Maryland Shine operational grant for the third year in a row to continue overall nonprofit operations. Funding allowed for the procurement of marketing and IT tools as well as other needs such as zoom, text and call system, management system, storage, and professional services. Our Destined4Success girls mentoring program continued with diverse workshops and support. Our lunchtime mentoring program, Destined4Success at Calvert High School, continued to thrive and supported sixteen underrepresented female students to include 4 graduating seniors. Speakers included entrepreneurs, the executive officer of Southern Maryland United Way, authors, Supervisor of Equity for Calvert County schools, the Superintendent of the Calvert County school system, and guidance counselors. Sessions held this year included presentations on business ownership, self-esteem (UROCK), college student networking (college experiences and lessons learned), overcoming struggles, financial planning, mental health, and transcripts and grades review. Destined4Success led the school's African American History presentations by providing morning video highlights and maintained a school bulletin board to provide encouragement and motivation. The girls conducted several fundraisers to our programs as we journeyed to the National Museum of African American History and Culture museum to learn and grow. LEAP Forward was a sponsor and active participant of the Minority Institute of Leadership and Excellence (MILE) conference. A highlight was sessions held at middle schools with our members to encourage upcoming 9th graders to join Destined 4 Success.