Greater Memphis Chamber Partners with Meharry to Empower Young Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics
MEMPHIS, TN – March 24, 2026 – Meharry Medical College, in partnership with the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, Urban League Guild of Middle Tennessee, Meharry Office of Memphis Programs, and the Greater Memphis Chamber, will host the 4th Annual Black Girls in S.T.E.A.M. Summit on March 27-28, 2026. This two-day community event aims to introduce Black girls to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, while fostering confidence and ambition to pursue academic and professional paths in these traditionally male-dominated disciplines.
The summit weekend will commence with a networking reception on Friday, March 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., followed by a comprehensive day of learning and engagement on Saturday, March 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants will engage in practical S.T.E.A.M. activities, breakout sessions, mentorship opportunities, and professional development exercises.
Highlighting the event is keynote speaker Monica Williams, MD ’01, an alumna of Meharry Medical College and Co-Founder and CEO of Scarlet by RedDrop, who will offer insights on navigating careers in S.T.E.A.M. and entrepreneurship.
“Investing in the next generation of S.T.E.A.M. leaders is essential to cultivating a diverse and resilient workforce,” stated Sondra Howell, Senior Vice President of Talent Development at the Greater Memphis Chamber. “The Black Girls in S.T.E.A.M. Summit underscores our dedication to bridging opportunity gaps and empowering young women to envision themselves as innovators, scientists, and leaders. We are honored to collaborate with Meharry Medical College to unlock the immense potential of these young women.”
The summit is open to Black girls in high school and college who are interested in S.T.E.A.M. careers. Students, faculty, and administrators from Meharry Medical College, the Meharry Office of Memphis Programs, the Greater Memphis Chamber, the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, and the Urban League Guild of Middle Tennessee will serve as mentors and facilitators.
All activities will be held at the Meharry Medical College Cal Turner Family Center for Student Education, located at 1011 21st Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208.
This initiative exemplifies Meharry’s dedication to community engagement and capacity building through resources in science, technology, arts, and mathematics. Programs such as the Black Girls in S.T.E.A.M. Summit are instrumental in closing developmental gaps and unleashing the potential of young girls often underrepresented in these fields.
About Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College, established in 1876, is a historically Black academic health sciences center committed to training physicians, scientists, and dentists from all backgrounds to serve underserved populations. The institution’s curriculum is rooted in a 150-year tradition of holistic healing and public health advancement. As a United Methodist Church-related institution, Meharry consistently ranks among the nation’s leading institutions for educating African Americans in medicine, dentistry, and biomedical sciences, as recognized by “Diverse Issues in Higher Education.” For additional information, please visit www.meharry.edu.
About The Greater Memphis Chamber
Founded in 1838, the Greater Memphis Chamber is one of Memphis’ most longstanding institutions. This privately funded nonprofit organization functions as the primary economic development entity for the region and advocates for the Memphis business community at local, state, and national levels. Its mission is to promote prosperity throughout Greater Memphis by supporting economic growth and workforce development, engaging in pro-growth advocacy, and providing vital resources to its members, including many of the region’s leading employers.