The Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is comprised of 50 women of color who have dedicated years to the Dallas community. One of their passions, in particular, is introducing girls to the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics).

We aretrying to reach as many young ladies as we can who otherwise may have neverbeen introduced to these disciplines, member Tracey Nash-Huntley said. Onlyabout one in 10 employed in these fields right now are women of color. Oftentimes, they just need to be introduced.

The Dallas Chapter of The Links has spent the last eight years doing just that. Through their STEAM Academy, they provide programming for more than 400 seventh to 12th grade girls, emphasizing STEAM disciplines and career readiness.

The Dallas Chapter of The Links, Inc. hosts an event in conjunction with Texas Scottish Rite in early 2020 for girls in the STEAM Academy.

We know thatits important to augment their classroom learning with experiences whetherthey are educational excursions, mentoring sessions and actually STEM and STEAMhands-on experiments and projects to keep it top of mind for these girls, saidNash-Huntley.

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Theorganization is hoping to create a pipeline to success for young girls ofcolor, while exposing them to the dynamic women of North Texas who are currentlyshining in those fields.

One of therecent graduates of the academy is Journie Crow, who said her time in theacademy provided her with so much more than a textbook ever could.

I was able to have more hands-on activities to figure out where I wanted to be in the STEAM field, Crow said. It was a better learning environment for me outside of the classroom. I also had the opportunity to go on amazing field trips and met some amazing people that I never would have thought I would have met before.

The Dallas Chapter of The Links, Inc. take STEAM Academy participants to event at Dallas Museum of Art in Feb 2020.

Crow said the encounter of a lifetime, through the STEAM Academy, was when she got to meet Michelle Obama.

Oh my gosh, I will never forget it. I even got her to sign my badge that day. I would have never been able to even talk to her if it wasnt for the program, Crow said.

Crow is also a budding artist. She will be attending the University of North Texas in the fall. Her hope is to graduate with honors and then go on to medical school. Her ultimate goal is to become a cardiologist and own her own practice. A dream she said became a goal after she started the STEAM Academy.

Like many organizations, the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has had to pivot due to the pandemic, so their 2020 Women Who STEAM Awards Luncheon, to honor several women who are at the top of their fields around Texas, is now a virtual event. It is also their biggest fundraiser of the year to help provide continued support for the STEAM Academy.

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Local Non-Profit Introducing Girls of Color to STEAM Disciplines - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth