Black woman-owned STEM nonprofit receives $4M to launch Smart Health Hub initiative in Miami
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$4 Million has been awarded to the S.E.E.K. (Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge) Foundation Inc. to open a Smart Health Hub for children in Miami.
Founded in 2012, SEEK Foundation‘s mission was to improve the value of life for South Florida’s youth by providing public services, whenever. wherever, and however needed to help empower lifelong problem solvers through innovative programs. The S.E.E.K. Foundation has since expanded to make STEM and STEAM education accessible for children across communities in the United States, especially minorities living in under resourced and marginalized neighborhoods.
Anike Sakariyawo
The nonprofit was launched by Anike Sakariyawo, Executive Director at SEEK, who has a focus towards STEM education, community involvement, and health and wellness for children ages 3 to 18. With this recent funding, Anike plans to open a four-story building in Opa-Locka, a suburb of Miami. This facility will give access to residents, children, and their families to STEAM education, workforce re-entry programs, and broadband service, dismantling existing entry obstacles. The hub will also provided basic essential health services.
Its presence is being described as “the first of its kind in the city,” explained Anike, as there has not been a technical facility in the area nor a high school. “We are looking to provide Opa-Locka community members of all ages access to educational resources and pathways to STEM careers to children and adults, and a space to innovate and follow individual curiosity.” Being born and raised in Opa-Locka, this project is special for Anike.
“The partnership with the Miami Foundation’s Digital Equity Collective program has been pivotal in advancing this initiative,” shared Sakariyawo.
Through the 2022 Digital Equity Grant, Miami Connected invested in partners who delivered impactful programming aimed at building community members’ digital literacy skills as well facilitating access to existing opportunities related to internet service, technological devices, and digital literacy. With the support of generous funders and guided by community input and partner feedback, Miami Connected identified two funding priorities – Digital Literacy and Digital Navigation.
The SEEK Foundation was awarded $40,000 to support the implementation of a digital literacy program using the NorthStar Digital Literacy curriculum. The Digital Literacy category’s efforts were to improve community members’ ability to fully participate in educational, economic, and social opportunities by helping them strengthen the skills needed to leverage technology in their daily lives. This included expanding the reach of the STEAMtastic Saturday program featuring activities such as “Book Creation Using AI.” Programs intentionally include parents and caregivers so they can learn digital skills alongside their children and prepare to join the STEM workforce.
With this new significant funding, Miami locals can expect the building to be up and running by December 2026. The first and second floors will be geared towards STEAM education and daily operations and serve as a destination for children and for staff members. Educational offerings will include a pipeline program to support students in industries such as USDA – food, Agriculture, Artificial intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Coding. Robotics and UI/UX Design. The third floor will be designated for children and their families to receive care for their health needs such as annual shots and vaccinations, back-to-school boosters, and telehealth services.
“We are looking to partner with local public health entities, county health departments and federally qualified health centers,” explained Anike Sakariyawo.
According to the SEEK website, the Foundation has served over 15,000 children since its inception in 2012. They have a second South Florida location in Ft. Lsuderdale and additional locations across the country in Califiornia, New York, Texas, Georgia, and Washongton D.C.
To learn more about the S.E.E.K Foundation, visit www.seekedu.org