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SECU sponsors sold out STEM education event for girls and women in Charlotte area
14 Local Students Awarded Scholarships Made Possible by SECU Funding
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) was pleased to be the presenting sponsor for a Voices: Voces Speaker Series hosted by BFB Foundation and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC). The event was held to promote education and career fields in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for girls and women in the Charlotte Metro area. SECU’s financial support enabled BFB Foundation to award 14 local scholarships to deserving STEM students for Fall 2022.
The event, held at CPCC’s new Theater in the Parr Center, sold out well in advance, receiving an overwhelming response from STEM educators, student families, and the public to hear keynote speaker Shayla Rivera, a former rocket scientist with NASA and lifelong champion of science and education. Rivera shared her personal journey and the educational opportunities and exciting career possibilities in STEM-related fields.
Leigh Brady, SECU’s chief operating officer, provided opening remarks before introducing Rivera to the crowd. “We are so pleased to sponsor this important event, knowing it will serve a great purpose in helping fund scholarships to support BFB Foundation’s mission of strengthening communities through education-focused initiatives for girls. The Credit Union has a strong community presence throughout North Carolina, along with a diverse workforce composed primarily of women. As such, we have a strong commitment to programs like this.”
Before closing, Brady added, “To all the students in the audience today, please seize every opportunity to listen, to learn, and to be inspired throughout your journey. All that you gain will be building blocks to strengthen your foundation for an incredibly bright future.”
“It is a special honor that SECU is the presenting sponsor for BFB Foundation’s Voices: Voces Speaker Series. Since 1937, SECU has served the state and educational employees of North Carolina with financial services and products and has continuously provided financial education in North Carolina schools and communities,” said Christine Burns-Fazzi, founder and board chair of BFB Foundation. “They truly believe that we make our communities and lives better through education.”