Data Science for All (DS4A) / Empowerment is a novel program that provides free world-class data & analytics training to those from underrepresented backgrounds in order to create equal access to the jobs of tomorrow.
With the support of our Employer Partners, Mentors, and Impact Partners, we are creating the most diverse data science ecosystem in the world.
At the Grand Finale last week, 500 Fellows celebrated completing our 4-month training program and shared what the experience and the community means to them. Top teams also presented their data science final projects to a distinguished panel of judges. We're so pleased to be able to share some of the video highlights here.
Our First Cohort in Review
Hear from participants in the first-ever DS4A / Empowerment cohort on their experiences in the Program.
Keynote Address: Eric Hutcherson
In this powerful Keynote Address, Eric Hutcherson, Executive Vice President and Chief People & Inclusion Officer at Universal Music Group, asks the Fellows: 'Tell me how you plan to change the world from the seat you sit in?'.
Speakers from Our Class
DS4A / Empowerment Instructors and Fellows offer final reflections on what they accomplished together and the community they have created.
KELSEY COUZZO, GRADUATING FELLOW
Kelsey is a data visualization developer and an artist. She creates art using machine learning models. In this video she tells us about the pieces she created to capture her DS4A / Empowerment Fellow journey.
CHRIS EARLE, 'TOP TA' AWARD RECIPIENT
This award was presented to Chris Earle demonstrated excellence in his teaching approach and dedication to the learning and growth of his Fellows. Throughout the DS4A / Empowerment program, Chris gave amazing support and advice on both an individual level and also to the project teams in his group of Fellows. Chris also contributed to the program by teaching lectures on Data Transformation and Data Visualization.
ATHENA OWIRODU, GRADUATING FELLOW ADDRESS
Athena Owirodu is a Fellow in the first cohort of DS4A / Empowerment. In her Fellow Address she tells us about her data science journey and her takeaways from the program: How to dream, and the power of the DS4A experience.
Capstone Project Awards
From over 100 data science Capstone Projects, 4 teams were selected to present at the DS4A / Empowerment Grand Finale, and 3 additional teams were given Honorary Awards.
Finalist Capstone Project: Adding Socioeconomic Dimensionality to Flood Risk Predictive Modeling in Louisiana
Team members: Marie-Claire Traore, Sathya Edamadaka, Will Walker, Kristen Ray
Finalist Capstone Project: How to Help Restaurants Survive Covid-19
Team members: Pablo Cruz, Daniela Esparza, Alejandro Mancillas, Troy Lawrence
Finalist Capstone Project: Aspire to FIRE - How to Reach Financial Independence and Retire Early
Team members: Stacy Christopher, Monsurat Olaosebikan, Jelicia Ross, Nathália Santos, Fred Williams
Finalist Capstone Project: Plant A Tree, Save A Life? The Effects of Historical Redlining on Urban Tree Canopy Coverage & Community Health in Los Angeles County
Team members: Anakaren Cervantes, Erika Wingfield, Dana Kraus, Oritseweyinmi Henry Ajagbawa, Yiu Ho Au
BlackRock Innovation Award:Can Scraping Twitter Aid in Helping Local Governments Better Predict Covid Outbreak?
Anaplan Excellence Award:Helping Citizens with Health Needs Assess City Livability with Personalized Recommendations
Match Group Impact Award:Buy Local, Buy Black: Using Data Science to Help a Grocery Store co-op Deliver on its Racial Equity Commitments
Congratulations to all the project teams, and all participants of the DS4A / Empowerment, Fall 2020.
If you're interested in applying to our DS4A / Empowerment programs, click here to check our program.
If you're interested in being part of Data Science for All as a Sponsor or a Mentor, please get in touch.