WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American
Chemistry Council (ACC), American Institute of Chemical Engineers
(AIChE), The Chemours Company and HBCU Week Foundation today
announced the chemical industry's first collaborative equity,
diversity and inclusion initiative aimed at creating pathways for
more underrepresented groups to enter and succeed in the chemical
industry.
The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI)
provides opportunities for manufacturers, supply chain partners and
other stakeholders to fund scholarships, create internships and
facilitate mentoring and leadership training for students majoring
in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
With an ambitious first year goal of underwriting 150 STEM
Scholars at an investment of $7.2
million, FOSSI brings together the chemical industry's
collective might to make a significant impact on the future of the
industry.
FOSSI is a core initiative of the AIChE Doing a World of Good
campaign and its All for Good: Engineering for Inclusion priority,
which is driving industry-wide improvement in equity, diversity and
inclusion. ACC and The Chemours Company are founding partners in
FOSSI, driving industry commitments to help meet the program's bold
first year goal. As a lead sponsor, Chemours has also pledged a
multi-year commitment of $5 million.
HBCU Week Foundation will serve as scholarship administrator for
the initiative, driving engagement with educational institutions
and students alike.
"ACC and our members are committed to enhancing diversity in
our facilities, our Board rooms and the communities in which we
operate," stated ACC President & CEO Chris Jahn. "We recognize the importance of
equity, diversity and inclusion programs like FOSSI to help build a
cohesive and united workforce which enhances economic growth for
all businesses and individuals," he added.
June Wispelwey, Executive
Director and CEO of AIChE, noted "AIChE is fully committed to an
equity, diversity, and inclusion goal of 100% parity within the
profession. Working in collaboration with partners such as ACC,
Chemours and HBCU Week Foundation, we envision that FOSSI will pave
the way for hundreds of students to attend HBCUs — and become the
future superstars of the chemical industry."
ACC Board of Director's Chairman, Chemours President and CEO,
and founding chair of FOSSI, Mark
Vergnano, stated, "From our corporate responsibility
commitments to the essential chemistry we produce every day,
Chemours is committed to being a force for good in the communities
where we operate. We're excited to be the lead sponsor for FOSSI
and to work with companies across our industry to drive this
game-changing program. When our industry opens doors to more people
pursuing STEM education, we're not only advancing diversity,
inclusion and equity—we're shifting industry paradigms, creating a
highly competitive workforce, and changing lives."
Ashley Christopher, Founder and
CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, added, "I am proud of this
partnership between the HBCU Week Foundation, AIChE, the American
Chemistry Council, and Chemours. It is through partnerships like
these, that black and brown children nationwide can actualize their
full potential at HBCUs while minimizing the burden of student
debt."
To learn more about FOSSI, visit aiche.org/fossi.
About the American Chemistry Council
The American
Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in
the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of
chemistry to make innovative products and services that make
people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to
improved environmental, health and safety performance through
Responsible Care®; common sense advocacy designed to
address major public policy issues; and health and environmental
research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a
$565 billion enterprise and a key
element of the nation's economy. It is among the largest exporters
in the nation, accounting for ten percent of all U.S. goods
exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in
research and development. Safety and security have always been
primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their
efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve
security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical
infrastructure.
About the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) is a
professional society of more than 60,000 chemical engineers in 110
countries. Its members work in corporations, universities, and
government using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop
safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its
varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for
information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering
research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and
environmental engineering, nanotechnology, and chemical plant
safety and security. More information about AIChE is available at
www.aiche.org. Details about the AIChE Foundation's Doing a World
of Good campaign and other programs is available at
www.aiche.org/giving/.
About The Chemours Company
The Chemours Company
(NYSE: CC) (Chemours) is a global leader in Titanium
technologies, Fluoroproducts, and Chemical Solutions, providing its
customers with solutions in a wide range of industries with
market-defining products, application expertise and chemistry-based
innovations. Chemours ingredients are found in plastics and
coatings, refrigeration and air conditioning, mining, and general
industrial manufacturing. Our flagship products include prominent
brands such as Teflon™, Ti-Pure™, Krytox™, Viton™, Opteon™, Freon™
and Nafion™. In 2019, Chemours was named to Newsweek's list of
America's Most Responsible Companies. The company has approximately
7,000 employees and 30 manufacturing sites serving approximately
3,700 customers in over 120 countries. Chemours is headquartered
in Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the NYSE under
the symbol CC.
About the HBCU Week Foundation
The mission of the
HBCU Week Foundation is to encourage high-school aged youth to
enroll into HBCU's, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation
and sustain a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to
corporate America. The most impactful event during HBCU Week is the
HBCU College Fair. HBCU Week Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)
charitable organization.
Contacts:
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For American
Chemistry Council Media Inquiries
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Thom Sueta
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Kelly Montes de
Oca
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The Chemours
Company
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Kelly_Montesdeoca@americanchemistry.com
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Media@chemours.com
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For AIChE &
Chemours Media Inquiries
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For HBCU Week
Foundation Media Inquiries
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Carrie
Francis
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Ashley
Christopher
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FTI
Consulting
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achristopher@hbcuweek.org
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Carrie.Francis@fticonsulting.com
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SOURCE The Chemours Company; American Chemistry Council;
American Institute of Chemical Engineers; HBCU Week Foundation