Correlation One, a data analytics training and assessments technology company, today announced the first group of global companies who have pledged their support of the “Data Science for All (DS4A)/ Empowerment” program, a virtual data analytics training and jobs program made available for free to U.S. students and professionals from underrepresented communities, including Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, women, and U.S. military veterans.
By sponsoring DS4A/ Empowerment, companies create fellowships that allow participants to partake at no cost and offer invaluable mentorship opportunities. Correlation One and the program sponsors together have the goal of training 10,000 people over the next three years.
The program sponsors include: Anaplan, Match Group, Citadel and Citadel Securities, Point72 Asset Management, Two Sigma, Marshall Wace, IHS Markit, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead Sciences, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Senior executives from these organizations have endorsed this program:
- “Supporting Correlation One is aligned with our values as a company. We must stay laser-focused on tearing down systemic barriers for communities of color. Education is an important first step, but so is providing job skills training that enables people to lift themselves up,” said Frank Calderoni, Chief Executive Officer, Anaplan. “In addition, providing mentorship and empowerment are critical to helping people be successful. When one of us does better, we all do better.”
- “Investing in initiatives that create greater opportunities for students of all backgrounds continues to be important to us at Citadel and Citadel Securities,” said Gerald Beeson, Chief Operating Officer at Citadel. “This program will empower those underrepresented in data science with the tools and confidence to help make their aspirations a reality – and will help shape the future of finance and beyond.”
- “Point72 is proud to partner with Correlation One on their DS4A/Empowerment to help increase diversity in the data science field,” said Matthew Granade, Chief Market Intelligence Officer, Point72. “Data and AI are changing how industries operate, but ultimately these tools are only as effective as the people analyzing the numbers and building the models. We use data across our Firm and finding and training the next generation of great data scientists is critical to our success. Diversity is an integral part of that effort – our ability to succeed is dependent on people who see things other people miss and recognize developments other people do not.”
Participants in the program will receive 13 weeks of training led by an instructor team from Ivy League universities. In addition, participants will be connected with mentors from sponsoring organizations who will provide professional development and career coaching. At the end of the program, they will be connected with opportunities at leading enterprises across the business, financial services, technology, healthcare, consulting, and consumer sectors.
“Today, there is no marketplace for enterprises to find vetted, trained, job-ready, diverse talent. We are creating that marketplace, and re-imagining the education-to-jobs pathway as we do so. By training this talent in data skills and connecting them to economic opportunity, we hope to unlock diverse human potential at scale,” said Sham Mustafa and Rasheed Sabar, Correlation One Co-Founders and Co-CEOs. “Our corporate partners make this program possible and in doing so, show their strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and eliminating barriers to accessing the jobs of tomorrow.”
About Data Science for All (DS4A)
The Data Science for All (DS4A) initiative was launched by Correlation One to provide data and analytics training programs dedicated to advancing women and underrepresented minorities in data science, and promoting a more inclusive global AI ecosystem. DS4A/ Empowerment is the largest program launched to date.
The first DS4A/ Empowerment cohort commenced their training on October 24, 2020. Since launching applications for the first 500-person cohort in Fall 2020, DS4A/ Empowerment has seen significant traction on multiple fronts:
- Over 8,300 applications were received from candidates in 48 states.
- The diversity of accepted participants is robust, with 57% identifying as female, 58% black or African-American, 32% Latinx or Hispanic, and 21% identifying as LGBTQ+. In addition, the program will include members of additional underrepresented groups, including veterans, refugees, and immigrants.
- The program is supported by partnerships with 30+ organizations, including the National Society of Black Engineers, HBCU Connect, The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Black Girls Code, and Hire Heroes.
- Hundreds of individuals who have applied to the program attended or are currently attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with representation from over 35 HBCUs nationally.
- Applicants are alumni or current students (at the undergraduate through postdoctoral level) at over 400 different universities.
Learn more about the stories of the Fellows in this program through these video testimonials: https://blog.correlation-one.com/c1insights.blog/meet-the-class-of-fall-2020-ds4a-empowerment/
For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.correlation-one.com/ds4a-empowerment
