SmartLogic announced eight projects that will receive grants to support and empower women in the Baltimore tech community on Wednesday.
In its second year, the Baltimore Women in Tech Micro Grant program is awarding $7,795 in funding. Along with Canton-based software development firm SmartLogic, Bold Yellow is a partner on the effort.
According to SmartLogic Director of Operations Chelsea Keene, the program received 49 applications, which was above her expectation of a maximum of 40. Grants ranged from $300-$1,500.
The winners were chosen by a committee that included Keene, Paige Finkelstein of SmartLogic, Lauren Olasov of Under Armour, Kayla Tullis of Philips, Dianne Eramo of Allovue, Olivia Brundage of Mapbox and Qubilah Huddleston of Code in the Schools.
Projects are slated to be completed by Sept. 30, Keene said.
Here’s who is receiving funding, according to SmartLogic:
- Sabrina Depestre is spearheading The State of Black Women in Tech, a one-day event at a local incubator featuring a keynote speaker and panel of discussion with Black women in the tech industry.
- Rachada Chairangsaris and Jennifer Jones are organizing Girls Who Code – Trips to Local Tech Companies to offer exposure to local tech offices.
- Jessica Brown received funding for Global Air Drone Academy: Fly Girls! The workshop will be held in conjunction with Southwest Academy Magnet School for Science and Engineering, helping girls ages 11-13 to model, build and fly a drone.
- Jennifer Schachter is leading We the Rosies. It’s a project by We the Builders that will create a sculpture of Rosie the Riveter in a rainbow of skin tones. It will also feature a call for video submissions where women can share thoughts and stories about Rosie.
- Nneka Nnamdi received funding for Fight Blight Baltimore, an organization that identifies, documents, and reports blight in Baltimore City.
- Liz Sundermann is organizing Save it with Soldering! The project will teach Baltimore County librarians about circuit soldering, allowing them to teach classes at libraries.
- Lisa Moren recieved funding to support Nonument::McKeldin Fountain. The event, held in conjunction with the ACLU, that will instruct women about how to use a free speech app with an AR component that shows Baltimore’s recently demolished McKeldin Fountain.
- Kathleen Mazurek received funding for the Decode Me Space Classroom and Mentor Fund, a social group for young girls, boys, and LGBTQ youth developing digital solutions to bullying and fostering leadership through creative means.
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