American Honda Foundation Collaborative is Boosting STEAM Interest and Learning Among Young Black and Latino Men

The American Honda Foundation committed $2.5 million over a five-year period when it established the Honda STEAM Collaborative, a cradle-to-college and career pipeline for young Black and Latino men in the Greater Los Angeles area. The funding provided resources and support to eight nonprofit educational organizations in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).  Approaching its fifth year of funding, this unique program has yielded improved school attendance and grades, and 40 percent gains in STEAM learning as measured by program tests. Beyond creating greater interest in STEAM subjects for involved students, teachers report that the Honda STEAM Collaborative also is improving student behavior and self-esteem.

Based on the understanding that the needs of young men of color are so complex that no one organization can possibly address them all, the American Honda Foundation conceived of and created the Collaborative in 2017 in partnership with past foundation grantees that demonstrated longstanding involvement and success with STEAM programs for Black and Latino youth. These eight Southern California organizations are Bridge Builders Foundation, Brotherhood Crusade, California Academy for Science and Mathematics (CAMS), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Children Youth and Family Collaborative (CYFC), Long Beach Math Collaborative, Posse Foundation, and UNCF.

The Collaborative then partnered with the Lynwood Unified School District in a pilot project to bring the partnering organizations’ programs to the students. In the Lynwood Unified School District pilot program, students received over 200 hours of afterschool and Saturday STEAM instruction and engagement each year, providing opportunities and support not readily accessible in their schools or communities, including hands-on STEAM activities, academic tutoring, mentoring and leadership development. The partnering organizations collectively reach elementary through high school students in underserved communities across Southern California.  

Increasing Educational, Economic, and Leadership Opportunities
Fully funded by the American Honda Foundation, the Honda STEAM Collaborative was formed to address the reality that young men of color are academically under-performing in school, over-represented in the correctional justice system and critically under-represented in higher education, 21st century careers, and leadership positions of all kinds.

“We believe young men of color deserve better outcomes and the American Honda Foundation is determined to increase their representation in STEAM professions while building a community of role models to inspire the next generation,” said Rich Richardson, president of the American Honda Foundation Board of Trustees. “Every young person deserves an equal opportunity to reach their potential and achieve their dreams.”

Supporting Students’ Well-Being and Development During the Pandemic

Following school closures in 2020, program services were moved to a virtual/distance learning platform. The partner organizations came together to ensure a continuation of services for students, including:

Honda STEAM Collaborative Programs

The Honda STEAM Collaborative was established with eight partnering organizations that provide free services and support through afterschool and Saturday programs:

Together, these organizations create a holistic network of support that is unique in providing not only academic assistance, but also job training, mentorship, and leadership development, to build life skills. While most efforts to address opportunity gaps faced by young men of color exclusively target middle and high school, the Honda STEAM Collaborative has developed a pipeline of support that starts at the elementary school level and continues through college admission.

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