AWS Lofts Host Students for Annual NYULYP STEAM Conference

Guest post by Wilberte Paul, Events Marketing Manger, Financial Services Marketing, AWS

On April 13, 2019 the New York Urban League Young Professionals (NYULYP) hosted its annual STEAM Conference for over 120 middle and high school students at the AWS Loft in New York as part of its National Day of Service initiative. The NYULYP organized a full day of mentorship, hands-on learning, career discovery, and entertainment.

The conference opened with a panel discussion that featured Philippe Douyon MD, Neurologist, Founder & CEO of The Inle BrainFit Institute; Michelle Gall, Executive Director and Founder of Digital Girl Inc.; Walt Walker, Professional Engineer, ENV SP Associate at Greeley and Hansen and Co-Owner of Just Design Cooperative; April Reign, CEO and founder of April Reign, LLC, DJ, and Producer; and Jeff Forbes, Financial Advisor, Vice President at JP Morgan Chase. It was moderated by James McDonald Jr., NYULYP member, CEO of InspireME Inc. and author of “Get Gifted.” The panelists shared career development advice and real-life experiences in their professions. Students then entered a time of interactive learning, participating in workshops about wealth management, coding, and even a dance class with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Throughout the day, students had time to forge new connections, engage each other about what they learned, and just laugh. From talking college and careers over lunch with a NYULYP mentor, to gathering friends for a picture in front of the photo wall, to dancing on the rooftop, they had a blast.