A fervent advocate for equity in the tech industry recently secured a substantial financial boost to advance her cause, resulting in the creation of a cutting-edge STEM hub. Anike Sakariyawo, the founder of S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc., has been awarded $4,000,000 in funding from the state of Florida. This funding has led to the initiation of the SMART Tech Health Hub project in Opa-Locka, as per a press release. This four-story facility is geared towards providing underprivileged families with access to resources for entering the STEM workforce, alongside basic health services.
Anike Sakariyawo, expressing gratitude for the support from the Miami Foundation’s Digital Equity Collective program, highlighted the importance of this partnership in advancing the initiative. The goal is to offer educational resources and pathways to STEM careers for individuals of all ages in the Opa-Locka community. Additionally, the hub will serve as a space for innovation and exploration of individual interests.
Sakariyawo emphasized that the Smart Tech Health Hub addresses a longstanding need in Opa-Locka, where the absence of a high school or technical facility has been felt. Recognizing the interest of Black children in STEM careers and acknowledging the existing access gaps, Sakariyawo intends to extend support by providing wraparound resources to facilitate tech workforce pathways for underserved families.
In her efforts to fully realize the potential of the hub, Sakariyawo aims to collaborate with local public health entities, county health departments, and federally qualified health centers. The center is projected to be fully operational by December 2026.
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