DEBRA WATKINS , MED ., MS .
Debra Watkins
FOUNDER ' S MESSAGE
GREENE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
DEBRA WATKINS , MED ., MS .
Dear GSP Families and Supporters , Welcome to a new era for the Greene Scholars Program ( GSP )!
As I shared in my Founder ’ s Message last year , the original parent organization ( A Black Education Network ) of the GSP was slated to close its doors on December 31 , 2024 and it did . After 23 years of impactful work beginning in California and spreading across the country and in parts of Africa , ABEN has officially passed on most of its work to five legacy organizations .
The one responsible for our STEM work is called the Dr . George Washington Carver Science Center and its Executive Director is Dr . Theresa Robinson . She is a professor at a university near Chicago where she helps prepare students for STEM careers . I am confident that she will do a stellar job and will visit the GSP science fair soon to see how we roll !
Speaking of how we roll , I am excited that Tasha Castañeda has done an outstanding job of fitting right into the California STEM Network that I introduced her to when she first started working full-time for the GSP . Not only is she involved in the monthly meetings , but she has presented ( with her daughter , GSP alum Naima ) at the statewide STEM conference and serves on the science steering committee for the California Math , Science & Computer Science Partnership . Under Tasha ’ s leadership , the GSP is getting more and more statewide visibility .
When people ask me what I plan to do now , I am quick to tell them that I will continue to proudly serve on GSP ’ s board of directors and promote the organization and the Carver Center . Given the political climate of this country , the work of both of those organizations and many that are Black-led is more important than ever .
Thank you for your support of the GSP to help ensure that our amazing Scholars will successfully overcome any obstacles that might stand in the way of their bright futures !
Best ,
Debra Watkins
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