Press release
PepsiCo Launches "Taste of Tomorrow" to Bring Flavor and Funding to HBCU Students in STEM
PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation are helping to close the diversity gap in the STEM workforce gap by increasing awareness and access for HBCU students
About this update from Pepsico, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation are helping to close the diversity gap in the STEM workforce gap by increasing awareness and access for HBCU students through financial support and resources aimed at supporting food science and elevating culinary innovation\nPURCHASE, N.Y., Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, PepsiCo announced the launch of \"Taste of Tomorrow,\" an initiative designed to increase Black representation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers because despite the rapid growth of STEM jobs, Black professionals remain underrepresented making up only 9% of the STEM workforce. To help address this disparity, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation are investing $350,000 in financial support and providing additional resources to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), particularly for students pursuing careers in food science and technology.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nAs the employer of choice for STEM careers, this initiative is part of PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation's efforts to work towards creating flavorful futures for students at HBCUs through the advancement of STEM education and culinary innovation.\n\"HBCUs are a critical pillar of impact, influence, and opportunity, nurturing the next generation of Black leaders,\" said Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President, Industry Relations and Multicultural Development at PepsiCo. \"We are eager to continue our long-standing commitment of supporting diverse talent in our business and provide students with the resources needed to thrive in their careers and make a positive impact on the world. With the launch of this campaign, we're not only helping to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce for the STEM field, but also drive innovation and progress in the food industry.\"\nResearch shows that lack of access to advanced STEM-related courses in public high schools serving predominantly Black students, a decrease in public programming in urban communities and scarcity in representation of Black high achievers in the field have led to insufficient growth of Black professionals and recent graduates in this industry. With HBCUs at the center of culture, education and long-term career and life advancement, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation are proudly providing funding and flavor to HBCUs and its students through the \"Taste of Tomorrow\...