April 2024 Updates
April showers bring May flowers… and Foundation updates!
Down in Atlanta, towards the middle of the month, BridgeUP STEM hosted its end of year celebration for Scholars and Fellows who were graduating from the year long program in computational education. We are constantly in awe of the young women who have deciding, at their young age, that they want to make a difference in the world through computer science.
Over at Rutgers-Newark, BOLD Scholars are gearing up for the end of the semester. They've been busy acting as liaisons for admitted students day, welcoming incoming freshmen and their families. Additionally, Scholars had the privilege of attending an enlightening workshop led by renowned artists Eleven El Gahada and Nadine LaFond. The workshop, beginning with Eleven’s captivating reading from their book, “Here the Ceremony Begins: A Guide to the Present Moment, Navigating the Spiritual Unknown,” set the stage for deep self-reflection, empowering Scholars to explore their inner realms and cultivate courageous leadership. The effort put forward by Scholars to not only better themselves, but the communities they are a part of or in proximity to as well, is admirable. There is a certain curiosity and drive that is not able to be taught, but is clearly being cultivated within the BOLD programs.
In the BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle, the WP Theater hosted its 5th Biennial Pipeline Festival! “Five Weeks. Five Plays. One Lab” this festival features the brilliant new voices of the WP Theater Lab cohort. The festival has been curated by BOLD Artistic Director, Lisa McNulty, and Associate Director, Ayana Parker Morrison. In addition, WP is currently recruiting for the WP Theater Lab. The Lab provides Artistic Directors with dramaturgical input and creative collaboration with storytellers in other mediums to deepen the work. It allows for creatives to gain practical skills in how to strategically and holistically develop pieces of work. We are always in support of women led networks and are so excited to see the result of recruitment!
The HGB team was able to attend the final showing of WHEN THE OTHER MARY CELESTE SANK: AN UMWELTIAN TALE, performed on April 27th.The show explored the question of what happens to our sense of self and to our relation to others, when societal structures and expectations are removed. Who might we be, who might we love, and how might we grow differently if given the opportunity? It was remarkably well-attended for a workshop, at nearly full capacity. It felt engaging, absorbing, and complete.
The BridgeUP GiddyUP program is all set with their brand new uniforms, featuring lightweight material perfect for the summertime. Collaborating with Prep Curry, a fashion designer, and Kerrits Equestrian, a clothing brand, the program brought these pieces to life. The bold new design and colors are just what our student athletes need!
The Brown Institute recently hosted a celebration for the 2024 Columbia Venture Celebration. The event wasn't just about honoring the winners of the Venture Competition but celebrating all participants and giving founders a platform to showcase their work to a larger audience. It was a special opportunity for further follow-up and to hear more about what inspired each founder's project—a lovely way to commemorate the incredible work done.
Stay tuned next month for fresh updates from the Foundation!