New STEM Girls’ Roadtrip Launched with AT&T and Roadtrip Nation at Clinton Global Initiative

ATLANTA, June 13, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Since 2011, Roadtrip Nation, a career exploration organization known for its acclaimed PBS documentary series, has been working with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to propel opportunities and resources to help students with their educational goals. This year, launching at the 2016 CGI America conference, Roadtrip Nation is collaborating with AT&T to empower young girls interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

STEM’s labor pool is especially lacking in women and minorities—a disparity that doesn’t just affect individuals, but society as a whole. Roadtrip Nation, with support through AT&T Aspire, is building upon its work to establish a Commitment to Action that provides women with exposure and insights in the STEM field through a STEM Girls Roadtrip. Roadtrip Nation and AT&T’s joint Commitment to Action is entitled “STEM Roadtrip: Educating Girls for the Jobs of Tomorrow”

“Our goal with the STEM Girls Roadtrip is to expose young women to professions they may not have considered or thought to be unattainable because they have no role models to follow,” said Nicole Anderson, executive director, philanthropy, AT&T Services Inc. “Women and minorities are woefully under-represented in the STEM workforce, and we see this collaboration as a way to inspire young women to re-evaluate STEM careers, so we can narrow and finally close this gap.”

As three selected road-trippers travel across the country, they will speak to underrepresented professionals in STEM who have overcome obstacles and paved a successful path in their careers. The participants, Regina Lin from New York, Elicia Dennis from Colorado, and Ariel Nobel from Arkansas, are eager to experience an adventure of self-discovery, with a hunger to learn from mentors who have conquered the challenges they are currently facing.

The trip officially launches from Atlanta, Georgia, where CGI America is taking place this year. The STEM road-trippers will not only attend the conference, but also have the opportunity to interview leaders who are attending and have been in the same place as these young women. The journey will be filmed for a documentary to air on American Public Television in the fall of 2017.  

In addition to the cross-country road trip, the AT&T commitment includes a nationwide screening tour once the film releases, an online hub for STEM professionals to “share their road” digitally, as well as a curriculum distribution plan that will provide students nationwide with access to Roadtrip Nation’s exclusive online career exploration tools.

AT&T’s support is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative to drive innovation in education – through technology, social innovation and relationships – to ensure all students have the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

About Roadtrip Nation
Roadtrip Nation, renowned for its New York Times best-selling career guide, award-winning documentary television series, and acclaimed classroom curriculum, is a career exploration organization and production house that creates resources to help individuals pursue fulfilling careers. Combining self-reflection with real-world exposure, Roadtrip Nation’s tools enable individuals to connect their interests to compatible life pathways and find meaningful work. For more information, visit roadtripnation.com and roadtripnation.org.

About Philanthropy and Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we’ve passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.

About Clinton Global Initiative America
Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America brings together leaders from the business, philanthropic, nonprofit, and government sectors to develop solutions that encourage economic growth, support long-term competitiveness, and increase social mobility in the United States. CGI America’s annual convening is designed to be a working meeting that promotes collaboration. Each CGI America participant makes a Commitment to Action: a new, specific, and measurable plan that supports increased economic growth and opportunity. To date, CGI America participants have made more than 500 commitments, which have improved the lives of nearly 2.4 million people. For more information, visit cgiamerica.org.