FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Empowering STEM Leaders to Build SMART Cities Through Service-Learning Initiatives
PETERSBURG, VA – [January 5, 2025] – The Virginia State University (VSU) Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is set to host its first-ever Community On Demand™ MLK Play Date on Saturday, January 20, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM in collaboration with NEXT Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program. The event will be led by NSBE Chapter President Nicolas Pollard, who also serves as a STEM Liaison with the White House Initiative on HBCUs.
This service-learning initiative marks the launch of SMART City STEM Ecosystem projects at VSU and aligns with the Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent. During the event, NSBE members will present their proposal to develop a SMART Parking Lot App designed to improve parking efficiency and accessibility on campus—addressing a critical Stakeholder’s Dilemma.
The Community On Demand MLK Play Date will introduce participants to Phase I of the Community On Demand framework, which includes:
- SIP Roadmap: Strategic Implementation Planning
- Mindset Development: Establishing the foundation for STEM leadership
- SIP Grid: Collaborative planning and decision-making tools
- Stakeholder’s Dilemma Canvas Model: Engaging community members to co-design solutions
The SMART Parking initiative will tackle key socio-economic conditions impacting campus infrastructure, including Aging Infrastructure, Environmental Stresses, and Shifting Demographics. Attendees will engage in interactive training and community engagement exercises to strategize the app’s design and implementation.
Empowering Local Communities Through SMART Cities
This initiative will leverage the Community On Demand™ service-learning model to extend beyond campus and into surrounding communities within a 40-mile radius. Local residents, veterans, and participants in HUD’s Jobs Plus and Resident Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) programs will be invited to contribute their skills through Phase I-III of Community On Demand:
- Phase I: Skills Assessment & Mapping
- Phase II: Collaborative Strategic Planning
- Phase III: Service-Learning Implementation
The goal is to integrate veterans and local stakeholders into the Virginia State University College Town STEAM Ecosystem to develop sustainable solutions for SMART City initiatives. Key partners and stakeholders include:
- HUD Veterans Affinity Group
- Monumental Honor Veteran Support Organization
- HBCU Resource Center Founder MAJ John Wharton
- West Point Association of Graduates, Richmond, VA
- NSBE Jr.
SMART City Resources Supporting JEM Teams
- STEM Direct Chamber of Commerce – A network that connects students with mentors, business leaders, and industry professionals to support project development and expand opportunities for growth.
- NEXT Steps Online Training Academy – An online learning platform offering courses, certifications, and tools to teach students how to build, manage, and execute their solutions.
- NEXT Steps Community Development Financial Institute (CDFI) – A financial resource center that helps students learn about budgeting, investing, and funding projects to turn their ideas into reality.
- The Pop Shop – A marketplace for students to showcase, promote, and sell the products and services they create as part of their entrepreneurial journey.
- NEXT Steps Small Business Incubator – A space for students to test, develop, and refine their business ideas with guidance and resources to help them succeed.
Keynote Attendance and Community Recognition The event will feature remarks from NSBE CEO Janeen Uzzell, who will join students and community leaders to highlight NSBE’s ongoing efforts to advance equity in STEM education. Uzzell’s visit will include a private lunch, faculty meetings, and campus tours, culminating in the Community On Demand™ Play Date and SMART Parking Lot App presentation.
Call to Action Local residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and support this groundbreaking initiative. The event provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and investment in STEM talent development.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit nextstepsyep.org or contact Nicolas Pollard at npollard@vsu.edu.
About NEXT Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program NEXT Steps is a creative economy-based nonprofit organization focused on workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and STEAM education. Through its signature Community On Demand™ card game, it empowers learners to tackle real-world challenges by applying STEAM skills to design innovative solutions.
About NSBE The National Society of Black Engineers is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the world, dedicated to increasing the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.