Attending the BEYA (Black Engineer of the Year Awards) STEM Conference is a life-changing opportunity for our students at the University of Houston. BEYA is one of the largest gatherings of Black engineers and STEM professionals in the nation, providing an environment where our students are seen, supported, and inspired by leaders who look like them. For our group, attending BEYA means access to career-changing opportunities, networking with accomplished Black STEM professionals, and participating in professional development workshops that build confidence and career readiness. Most importantly, it gives our students a sense of community and belonging, reminding them that they, too, can succeed in these fields.

In previous years, our organization has always been able to bring as many students as needed to the BEYA STEM Conference. This was incredibly important because BEYA is one of the few national spaces where Black engineering students can access mentorship, career opportunities, and professional support all in one place. However, this year we’ve been limited to only 10 hotel rooms, which caps us at 40 students—far fewer than the number of students who want to attend and would benefit from this experience. Our true need is to bring at least 80 students, especially as interest and membership in our program continue to grow. Because of this unexpected limitation, we’re working to raise funds to cover additional rooms, travel, and registration costs so we don’t have to turn students away from an opportunity that could open doors to internships, full-time jobs, and long-term career connections.

Supporting this campaign directly helps double the number of students who can attend BEYA and ensures that no one misses out simply due to a shortage of resources. Every contribution—big or small—helps us get another student closer to a life-changing experience. Thank you for helping us make this opportunity possible!