The Rhyme and Rise Program

According to data from the National Science Foundation, blacks continue to be significantly underrepresented in science and engineering occupations. In 2020, only 5.6% of individuals employed in science and engineering occupations were black, despite comprising approximately 13% of the U.S. population. This disparity is even more pronounced in the field of biological research.

In Pittsburgh, the situation is no different. According to local data, black women in our region face significant educational disparities, including lower high school graduation rates, limited access to advanced science courses, and decreased enrollment in STEM fields at the college level. These disparities perpetuate the cycle of underrepresentation in scientific careers along with the scarcity of future entrepreneurial opportunities.

In addition, the discrepancy between black youth achievement in the sciences must be addressed. TCSL understands the importance of exposing black students, at an early age,  to STEM concepts and BIPOC scientists as a critical tool in increasing black achievement in science, technology, engineering and math. Unfortunately, in many under-resourced daycares and early childhood centers that the children attend, this is not a reality.

The Citizen Science Lab’s  (TCSL) and Riverside Center for Innovation (RCI) are collaborating on the Rhyme and Rise program. This is a 9-month workforce development program in Pittsburgh aimed at empowering unemployed, underemployed, and emergent entrepreneurial black women by providing them with essential laboratory skills to pursue careers in biological research. The technical program, conducted by TCSL, addresses the racial gap in the field through culturally-centered STEM teaching. In addition, participants interested in entrepreneurship receive wrap-around entrepreneurial training services through RCI's BizFIT program. TCSL also offers job-preparation workshops and networking opportunities for those pursuing STEM careers. Throughout the workshop, scientists and AI professionals from diverse backgrounds will serve as guest speakers or mentors, providing inspiration and representation in science and AI.

The BizFIT program equips emerging entrepreneurs with the necessary technical, back-office, and capital readiness skills to start, grow, and sustain a business. RCI, supported by a recent Build Back Better EDA $62 million Challenge grant, aims to onboard black women into the AI and robotics sectors.

Participants meet for 2 hours, once a week for 36 weeks, at TCSL's state-of-the-art life science lab, where they receive hands-on training in laboratory techniques and research skills. The training incorporates AI components to showcase the application of artificial intelligence in biological research. After completing the 34-week technical training, participants can choose to engage in BizFIT training and/or TCSL's Rise Prep component, which helps them navigate job searching, networking, interviewing, and effectively communicating their acquired knowledge and skills.

BizFIT's entrepreneurial training is a two-evening virtual program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs develop their business ideas by teaching essential skills in operations, market research, early-stage capital acquisition, and connecting with procurement opportunities. The program emphasizes the operational values upon which business behaviors, decisions, and activities should be based.

TCSL's Rise Prep component focuses on preparing participants for their job search in the STEM field. It covers essential skills like networking, interviewing, and effectively communicating their program-acquired knowledge and competencies.

To support the participation of women, particularly black women, in STEM careers, Rhyme and Rise addresses the barrier of inadequate and unaffordable childcare services. The program incorporates free STEM-focused childcare through TCSL's interactive Toddler Lab, which provides hands-on science activities for children while their mothers participate in the training. The BizFIT component being conducted in the evening also helps overcome the challenges associated with childcare services.

Throughout the program, participants receive a monthly stipend of $30 per hour for completing the program, with an average commitment of 12-15 hours per month. The program aims to recruit 15 women for this pilot initiative.

The proposed program schedule includes various topics and activities, such as an introduction to computational biology and analysis of biological data using software tools, reflection on the intersection of science, AI, and its future potential, STEM-focused childcare, virtual BizFIT workshops, networking workshops, and networking opportunities with STEM organizations.

Rhyme and Rise is a pilot program that seeks to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive ecosystem, fostering a global economy that benefits everyone.

A 2019 study by the Gender Equity Commission ranked Pittsburgh as one of the worst in the country for Black women due to a variety of socioeconomic conditions including high levels of poverty and unemployment.  A recent survey conducted by Black Women’s Policy Agenda, a Pittsburgh nonprofit, further collaborates this disparity by stating that Black women in 85% of U.S. cities are doing better financially than Black women in Pittsburgh.

Thus, this initiative is specifically focused on serving black women as the target population, aiming to directly and meaningfully improve their lives. Due to the extensive experience of both TCSL and RCI in understanding the unique needs and challenges faced by black women, we determined that substantive impact on this group will have the most impact on the economic mobility of communities. 

We actively involved black women in the development process of this initiative, in order to ensure that their voices and perspectives are incorporated into the solution. We have established advisory committees and support networks consisting of black women professionals, mothers, and community leaders who provide valuable insights and guidance. Through these collaborations, we gained a deeper understanding of the barriers they face, including the lack of opportunities, biases, and systemic challenges.

Our solution is designed to address the specific needs of black women by providing them with AI and bio-technology training in a culturally-reflective and respective manner. The flexibility of the program will allow us to pivot if necessary to review any skills/lessons the women may need additional time to learn.  The inclusion of site-based childcare will allow the mothers to feel comfortable learning without worrying about the safety of their children and additional case management by RCI will help the mothers in developing critical soft skills necessary for success in the tech sector. By integrating both technical training and soft skill development, we aim to empower black women to overcome barriers and achieve professional success in STEM fields.

Overall, our solution is centered on understanding and directly addressing the needs of Pittsburgh’s black women, leveraging their expertise and input, and providing comprehensive support to enable their meaningful and sustainable progress in STEM.

Founded in 2015, The Citizen Science Lab (TCSL) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has emerged as a leader in providing interactive STEM programming to the residents of Pittsburgh and beyond. Located in the Hill District neighborhood and South Hills region, TCSL offers an accessible space that connects young people, particularly those of color, with opportunities to enhance their STEM knowledge, academic achievement, and self-confidence. TCSL features five state-of-the-art instructional laboratories, providing hands-on exposure to life science, biomedical, robotics, and biotechnology education for students, teachers, biomedical startups, and adult citizens in the Pittsburgh region. Although the programming primarily focuses on increasing black students' interest in STEM, it is available to all residents of Pittsburgh, and more than 5,000 participants have engaged with STEM through TCSL activities.

Dr. Samuel, a black scientist and the founder of TCSL, prioritized locating the facilities directly in neighborhoods that would benefit the most. TCSL's commitment to underrepresented communities is upheld through strategic placement of key staff and board members, ensuring that the organization remains dedicated to its mission.

Riverside Center for Innovation (RCI) has demonstrated a strong focus and expertise in building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Pittsburgh region. In January 2021, RCI's 20-year economic impact report confirmed the effectiveness of its current services and programs. The report highlighted the following achievements: 1) RCI's database of clients includes over 1,200 BIPOC business owners, 2) RCI clients have created over 5,000 jobs, 3) RCI's clients have generated over $204 million in annual output, 4) RCI's clients have paid $94 million in annual wages, 5) RCI's clients have contributed $24.8 million in annual total tax revenue to the three taxing bodies, 6) 95% of RCI's clients are minorities, including females, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals, and 7) 75% of RCI's BizFIT clients are profitable.

To gain insight into the needs and systemic barriers faced by BIPOC entrepreneurs, RCI conducted a 14-month needs assessment involving key stakeholders. The study identified the following challenges: 1) BIPOC entrepreneurs struggle to acquire their first customers due to a lack of business connections at anchor institutions and multinational corporations, 2) BIPOC businesses in Pittsburgh lack the necessary "soft tissue" infrastructure to sustain and operate efficiently, 3) BIPOC business owners lack the knowledge, skills, and support required to be effective, and 4) BIPOC businesses face a shortage of qualified staff.

Both TCSL and RCI actively seek input from stakeholders who participate, fund, or partner with the organizations to ensure that community input informs service delivery. Led by African American men from within the communities they serve, both organizations have predominantly BIPOC leadership and are committed to the development of underserved communities through their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and procedures.

TCSL serves more than 2,000 participants annually. 

At TCSL and RCI, we have full confidence that our response to this challenge will bring about lasting economic mobility for generations of vulnerable populations in our city. Moreover, we believe that this project can be replicated in other areas facing similar socioeconomic challenges to the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area. To accomplish this, we are seeking a strategic partner who can connect us with the necessary resources to duplicate the project.

Both of our organizations highly value the input of our funding partners, as their external evaluation provides invaluable insight into the strength of our proposals and programs. We are also applying to the Challenge to obtain additional resources that will help us maximize the effectiveness of Rhyme and Rise.

As evidenced by our joint application, both organizations are dedicated to fostering collaborative partnerships and eagerly anticipate the networking opportunities that being part of the MIT Solve Challenge will offer us.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Samuel has been a catalyst for increasing diversity in STEM. Raised by a single-mother, Dr. Samuel’s interest in science was sparked as a young boy in Washington, DC.  After completing his Biology degree at the University of the District of Columbia, Dr. Samuel pursued advanced studies in Genomics and Bioinformatics at the esteemed George Washington University. Driven by his passion for scientific exploration, he obtained his PhD in Biology from Duquesne University, where he conducted groundbreaking research on cold shock related proteins in E. coli.

During his doctoral studies, Dr. Samuel founded the S.I.G.M.A Science Mentorship Initiative, a transformative program introducing BIPOC youth to university labs, fostering their curiosity and paving the way for future careers in scientific research. His research journey encompasses diverse areas such as toxicology, carcinogenicity effects of novel drugs, hookworm vaccine development under the mentorship of Dr. Peter Hotez, and tuberculosis reactivation in non-human primates under the guidance of Dr. JoAnne Flynn.

As the Founder and CEO of The Citizen Science Lab, Dr. Samuel's extraordinary work has earned numerous accolades. In 2015, he was honored with the BMe Leadership Award for his exceptional impact on black males through The Citizen Science Lab. The following year, his lab received four awards for their outstanding participation in Seaperch, and was selected to partake in the prestigious Navy embark program. Dr. Samuel's dedication to service led to him receiving the President's Volunteer Service Award from the Obama Administration in 2016.i

Dr. Samuel's mission revolves around fostering engagement and igniting interest in STEM fields. Believing that hands-on, exciting lab experiences are paramount to cultivating curiosity, he tirelessly leads The Citizen Science Lab, empowering individuals of all backgrounds to explore the wonders of science.

Our solution, Rhyme and Rise, approaches the barriers faced by black women in pursuing careers in STEM and entrepreneurship in a new and significantly improved way. Uniquely positioned through our combined years of experience in STEM, career development, business incubation, and serving underrepresented populations, Rhyme and Rise is a creative approach that could be a game changer for the delivery of entrepreneurship and workforce training.

Rhyme and Rise takes a holistic approach by combining workforce development, technical training, entrepreneurial education, and childcare support. This comprehensive approach addresses multiple barriers simultaneously, providing participants with a well-rounded skill set and support system to succeed in their chosen paths.

TCSL's culturally-centered approach to teaching STEM ensures that the curriculum and instructional methods are tailored to the needs and experiences of the participants, particularly black women. RCI’s long history of nurturing emerging business owners fully integrates the diverse experience of BIPOC women. These approaches foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and empowerment, making the experience more effective and impactful for the participants.

Rhyme and Rise integrates AI components into the training, showcasing the application of artificial intelligence in biological research. This not only equips participants with in-demand skills but also exposes them to cutting-edge technology, opening doors to new career opportunities and potential innovations.

The program emphasizes networking opportunities, connecting participants with STEM organizations, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the field. This collaboration fosters a sense of community, expands participants' professional networks, and creates a support system that can catalyze broader positive impacts. The connections made during the program can lead to collaborations, mentorship, and even investment opportunities, enabling participants to make a greater impact in their respective fields.

Rhyme and Rise is designed to be replicable in other areas with similar socioeconomic challenges. By documenting the program's success, methodologies, and outcomes, we aim to create a blueprint that other communities can adopt and implement. This scalability has the potential to bring about broader positive impacts by empowering black women and other underrepresented groups in STEM and entrepreneurship across different regions.

Rhyme and Rise is an innovative solution that addresses the barriers faced by black women in pursuing STEM careers and entrepreneurship through its holistic approach, culturally-centered teaching, integration of AI, collaboration, replicability, and potential for market transformation. By empowering black women and creating more diverse and inclusive spaces, Rhyme and Rise has the power to catalyze broader positive impacts and drive positive change in the STEM industry.

The impact goals for Rhyme and Rise are detailed below:

Year 1:

• Enroll 15-20 women in Rhyme and Rise with 80% retention/successful completion rate

• Equip all program participants with essential laboratory skills, entrepreneurial training, and job prep workshops 

• Provide more than 70 hours of targeted training to the participants

• Facilitate networking opportunities for participants, connecting them with STEM organizations, professionals, and businesses

• Provide free STEM-focused childcare during the program, enabling participants to fully engage in the training without the burden of inadequate childcare services

• Evaluate and assess the program's effectiveness through participant feedback, job placements, and entrepreneurial ventures initiated by program graduates

• Research supplemental funding opportunities to ensure program’s continuation

Next Five Years (Years 2-5):

• Increase the number of participants in Pittsburgh each year, aiming to enroll and support a growing cohort of black women in their professional and entrepreneurial pathways

• Expand the reach of Rhyme and Rise beyond Pittsburgh, replicating the program in other areas with similar socioeconomic challenges to empower black women in pursuing STEM careers and entrepreneurship

• Measure the long-term impact of the program by tracking the career progression, entrepreneurial success, and overall economic mobility of program graduates through multi-year tracking

• Foster a network of Rhyme and Rise alumni who can serve as mentors, role models, and advocates for future participants

• Partner with local and national stakeholders, organizations, and institutions to further amplify the impact of Rhyme and Rise

• Secure a diverse funding portfolio to ensure the continued success and expansion of the program

To ensure meaningful regional impact, TCSL and RCI will commit to a series of evaluative milestones throughout the course of this challenge. In addition to tracking demographic data, Rhyme and Rise will monitor attendance, retention, technical progress and entrepreneurial knowledge of program participants.  Quantitative and qualitative measurements will be conducted via a series of evaluative measures including surveys and Mentimeter assessments.  Basic measures and milestones will be centralized through the Bloomerang CRM system (TCSL) and Neoserra CRM (RCI).  Both programs will allow customized weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.  This type of real time data reporting will be monitored by our team to track the progress of our solution. If the data trends begin to take a downturn, being in real time will allow the team to pivot and make adjustments to correct with the best possible solutions. 

This ongoing commitment to evaluation will also allow the Rhyme and Rise program to:

• Continuously refine and improve the program based on participant feedback

• Forge strategic partnerships with organizations, businesses, and academic institutions to expand the program's reach and provide additional resources for participants.

• Actively seek funding and investment to sustain and scale the program, ensuring its long-term viability and impact

• Share best practices, lessons learned, and program outcomes with other communities and stakeholders to promote knowledge sharing and replication

• Collaborate with policymakers and advocates to address systemic barriers and promote policies that support the inclusion and advancement of black women in STEM and entrepreneurship

Our theory of change for Rhyme and Rise is based on the logical framework that links our activities to immediate outputs and longer-term outcomes for Pittsburgh’s black women.

Immediate Outputs:

• Increased laboratory skills–Participants acquire essential laboratory techniques and research skills through training

• Enhanced entrepreneurial knowledge–Participants interested in entrepreneurship gain the necessary skills and understanding of business operations, market research, early-stage capital, and procurement opportunities.

• Improved job readiness–Participants develop job search strategies, networking skills, interview techniques, and effective communication of their learned knowledge and competencies in STEM 

Longer-term Outcomes:

• Career pathways in STEM–Participants who wish to pursue STEM careers have the skills and confidence to enter and advance in their career 

• Business creation and growth-Participants interested in entrepreneurship have the knowledge and support to start and sustain their own businesses, contributing to economic growth and job creation.

• Increased diversity in STEM–Black women become more represented in the fields of biological research, STEM careers, and entrepreneurship, addressing the racial gap in these sectors.

• Economic mobility:  Participants experience increased economic mobility and financial independence through in-demand STEM employment and business creation.  Through the creation of a skilled workforce and the sustainability of black women-owned businesses, a larger Pittsburgh black middle class will emerge. This increased personal wealth stabilizes neighborhoods through affordable homeownership, better education, and public safety concerns being addressed by concerned residents 

Our theory of change is supported by evidence from various sources, including third-party research on the barriers faced by black women in STEM and entrepreneurship, feedback from interviews with our target population, and data from previous program evaluations. By addressing the skills gap, providing tailored support, and fostering connections, we expect Rhyme and Rise to have a meaningful impact on the lives of black women, empowering them to pursue successful careers and entrepreneurship in the STEM fields. Creating a robust workforce dovetailed with an  entrepreneurial infrastructure will make disadvantaged businesses and entrepreneurs feel more welcome and thrive economically. 

A combined total of 15 people (from both organizations) are involved in our solution team. 

This solution has been in the individual incubation process at both organizations for more than 3 years. Initially, before establishing their own 501(c) organizations, The Citizen Science Lab and Riverside Center for Innovation were both programs that were fiscally sponsored and housed by Urban Innovation 21 (a public-private economic development partnership in Pittsburgh).  While the two organizations had mutual respect for each other’s work, it was this specific MIT Solve Challenge that was the impetus for our two organizations to collaborate on a combined solution to an issue facing black women in our region.

TCSL creates a community of students, educators, volunteers, and funders who directly contradict the stereotypes of who excels in STEM fields. In addition, The Citizen Science Lab has created and implemented a training program that not only includes training staff on the techniques and processes involved in laboratory and engineering sciences, but also on the philosophy and approach to “teaching” science. More importantly, our onboarding and ongoing training prepares our staff on best practices to work with our youth. Our leadership team and BOD are predominantly people of color. 

TCSL has developed a targeted approach to promotion and recruitment of students of color. This includes forming connections with BSUs and other groups for BIPOC students at regional academic institutions, in addition to attending HBCU employment fairs, and joining Handshake to diversify our employment marketing efforts. 

Dr. Andre Samuel, the founder and CEO of TCSL, is an African-American research scientist leading the effort to increase the number of black students that pursue a PhD in STEM. This personal mission resonates with the organization’s goals as a whole. Furthermore, he works personally to ensure that partnerships with black serving institutions are developed and maintained regionally and nationally.

With this spirit at the core of our work, TCSL only collaborates with partners who share a similar approach to DEI.  Thus, we are honored to work with RCI on this project.

Our business model focuses on providing value to four key groups: the participants in the Rhyme and Rise program, our funding partners, civic leaders, and the Pittsburgh STEM industry.

Participants:

For our participants we offer a value-added workforce development program that includes technical training in laboratory techniques, entrepreneurial education, job preparation workshops, and networking opportunities. Participants also have access to STEM-focused childcare during the program.  All aspects of the program are offered to our participants at no cost.

Participants will want to enroll in the program because it provides them with essential laboratory skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and job readiness support. By participating, they gain the necessary expertise to pursue careers in biological research or start their own businesses. The free childcare services alleviate the barrier of inadequate childcare, enabling them to fully engage in the program without worrying about their children.

Funding Partners:

We provide our funding partners with the opportunity to support a program that addresses the racial gap in STEM and entrepreneurship, promotes gender equality, and fosters economic mobility for black women. The work of our marketing team will ensure that all funders are recognized publicly for their contributions to this work.

Funders will also be kept informed about the program's progress, outcomes, and impact.

Funding partners want to invest in initiatives that create social impact and align with their mission. By supporting Rhyme and Rise, they contribute to the empowerment and economic mobility of black women, promote diversity in STEM, and foster the growth of entrepreneurship. 

Civic Leaders

A thriving, robust STEM ecosystem is vital to the future success of our city.  Thus, civic leaders will be invested in initiatives by proven providers that are working on ensuring that the city has a workforce that can respond to the demands of an increasingly scientific and technological society.  

Since we are non-profits, the cost of providing this service to our constituents is considerably cheaper than if the city were to enlist the services of an educational institution or training facility to deliver these services. 

Pittsburgh could be a hub for prosperity.  Rhyme and Rise seeks to transform Pittsburgh from a “smart” to an globally-recognized “intelligent” city. “Smart” cities have robust integrated technology (IoT), transportation, and climate resilience, but they have yet to eradicate poverty. Instead, Rhyme and Rise will transform Pittsburgh into an “intelligent city” – one which is diverse, human-centered, racially equitable, and enables prosperity for all.

Pittsburgh STEM industry

Much has been shared about the emergency of Pittsburgh as a STEM leader.  Yet, few in the for-profit STEM sector in our region would deny the increased need for diverse, skilled, qualified workers in the field.  Thus, providing demonstrable evidence of our ability to help procure these workers will have an impact on our regional economy.

At the foundation, our business model centers around providing high-quality training, education, and support to our participants, enabling them to pursue rewarding careers in STEM or entrepreneurship. By delivering impactful programming, we will be able to engage with funding partners, leaders, and corporate partners who share our vision and can see the tangible outcomes of funding our efforts.

While we await the MIT Solution, we have already begun actively seeking new funding support for potential future phases of our program. Our development team has compiled a list of potential funders for Years 2-5. Once we gather preliminary data demonstrating the impact of our program, we plan to solicit funding from these key groups identified in our business model.

Both TCSL and RCI have achieved financial sustainability due to the quality of our work and the demonstrable impact our programs have had on the community. As part of TCSL's capital campaign to secure a new site in the underserved Hill District, $1 million in revenue has been raised for this venture.  In addition, below are a few of the generous grants TCSL has been awarded:

McAuley Ministries~$500,000 for the capital campaign/new site construction

Richard King Mellon ~$350,000 in general operating funds

Eden Hall Foundation~$275,000 for SeaPerch-our program that teaches middle and high school girls how to design and build aquatic robots

Fisher Foundation~ $75,000 for our C3PO program that teaches high school students how to 3D organs to aid in the transplant shortage

Pittsburgh Foundation~$75,000 for our ICE-T program that teaches middle and high school students how to construct and use microbial fuel cells

Jampart Foundation~$100,000 for general operating and our ICE-T program

BNY Mellon~$34,000 for STEM summer camps

PNC Bank~$25,000 for general operating