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ANNUAL REPORT2023THE GEMS CAMPANNUAL REPORTGirls interested in Engineering, Mathematics, and ScienceA 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization (EIN: 46-3363376)
The GEMS Camp at Texas Christian University July 2023The Mission ofThe Mission ofis to change the face of those STEM studies and careers. We urban teen girls in five core are
ACADEMICSCAREERCREATIVITYLEADERSHIPSERVICEThe GEMS CampThe GEMS Campwho can access and excel indo this by building confidence in eas called .THE 5 KARAT GEMSThe GEMS Camp at Texas Southern UniversityJune 2023
Dear valued supporters,I am thrilled to present The 2023 GEMS Camp Annual Report, highlighting our unwavering commitment to empoweringunderrepresented racially and ethnically minoritized girls, especially those from underserved communities, in theirexploration of STEM fields and beyond. Our organization's growth and adaptability as a budding nonprofit continue toamaze me. This success is attributed to the dedication and hard work of our part-time staff, independent contractors,volunteer teams, and the generosity of our supporters.In 2023, we proudly served 320 girls across Texas through our transformative STEM learning experiences. Ourpartnerships, notably with Charles Schwab Bank, allowed us to expand support programs. This partnership led to ourfirst time hosting the Moneywise Financial Literacy program, where girls participated in 12 weeks of instruction,including budgeting and spending, and girls earned financial scholarships based on attendance. Our summer campexperiences ranged from hands-on biology labs at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas to engaging withartificial intelligence tools at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Notably, our peer mentor volunteer rate reachedan impressive 95%, demonstrating the effectiveness of our cohort-based model.The centerpiece of our year was the launch of our School Year Experience at the Martin Luther King Jr. CommunityCenter, targeting the underserved neighborhoods of Fairpark, Pleasant Grove, Buckner Terrace, and South Dallas. Weintroduced innovative activities, including math walks (in partnership with Southern Methodist University andWalkSTEM), where girls critically examined the community center's surroundings and created educational videosexploring mathematical concepts. As a resident of this community, I am deeply proud of our efforts to reach students inthe most disenfranchised communities of Dallas. On a personal note, I also completed my third year of Ph.D. studies at SMU, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, presenting ateducation and learning conferences, and publishing two peer-reviewed journal articles. I am grateful for the support andinspiration of my ancestors, my family and friends, my peers, and my academic mentors.Financially, our net income grew by $37,881 compared to the prior year, demonstrating our commitment to financialgrowth and stability. With revenue totaling $229,241, including support from new foundation partners such as NBCUniversal and the State Fair of Texas, we are well-positioned to continue our impactful work.Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans to scale our programming model to multiple campuses through the licensureadoption model, a significant investment thanks to one of our donors. We remain steadfast in our mission to empower young women in STEM and are grateful for the continued support of ourdonors and partners. Thank you for believing in our mission!Sincerely,Saki L. MiltonFounder & Executive Directorfrom theEXECUTIVE DIRECTORSaki L. Milton
FROM GEMS PARENTTO FACULTY DIRECTORFALL 2022Dr. Cassimere’s daughter, Morgan, enrolled in The GEMSCamp at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas;Morgan took home the coveted Diamond Award.Dr. Cassimere was awarded a $50,000innovation grant to host The GEMS Camp atTSU. Planning started!SPRING 2022Dr. Cassimere attended a virtual math talk with TSU’smathematics department where Saki Milton was the guestspeaker. The two connected via email after the session todiscuss potential collaboration.SUMMER 2022Erica Cassimere, Ph.D.Erica Cassimere, Ph.D.Faculty Director, Texas Southern UniversityFounder of The GEMS Camp TSUreal stories, real impactThe Texas Southern University GEMS Camp successfullyhosted 48 girls, 3 interns, and 12 mentors in June. Thecommunity response was overwhelmingly positive. SUMMER 2023
Black73.7%Latina21.1%Other5.3%Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9Texas Southern University Texas Christian University0102030405060FemaleAges 11-15RetentionOver 2022ESL StudentsEnglish Second LanguageLow IncomeFree/Reduced LunchBlack64.3%Latina25%Asian7.1%Other3.6%Fort Worth, TXTcUTcUTcUTsUTsUTsUHouston, TX100%80%100%SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCES2023 IMPACT141683022438GIRLS56GIRLS10HIGHSCHOOLMENTORS14UNIVERSITYMENTORS8HIGHSCHOOLINTERNS14,000VOLUNTEERHOURS$445,200SAVINGSSTEM ENGAGEMENTMASTERY OF CONCEPTSCAPSTONE COMPLETIONBELONGING IN STEMSTEM INTERESTSTEM IDENTITYATTITUDES TOWARD STEM WOMENATTITUDES TOWARD STEM CAREERSoutputsoutcomesaverage post-surveyratings (out of 5)The estimated national value of each volunteer hour is$31.80. (SOURCE: Nonprofit Leadership Center)
3002023 SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCEFebruary 2024Exciting Growth for OurFebruary 2024Our social media presence grew significantly in2023, thanks to the hard work of our dedicatedteam and the engagement of our followers. We arethrilled to see our community expanding andconnecting with more girls who are interested inSTEM and making a positive impact in the world.All Post Average:LIKESREACHCOMMENTSENGAGED50570290 330
PROGRAMMING2023I enjoyed everything about The GEMSCamp. I loved all the classes set up forme, I enjoyed the bonding time at the endof the day, and I loved the communityservice we were able to take part in. Theoverall experience was amazing.
In 2023, our GEMS explored new heights at Texas Christian University and TexasSouthern University Summer Camps! At Texas Southern University, the focus wason the empowerment and global health and wellness of women and girls, aligningwith the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-Being (Goal 3) and Gender Equality (Goal 5). While at Texas Christian University,participants dove into advanced math and navigated emerging technologies likeAugmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT and Dalle-2).Our camps offered a rich tapestry of activities, fostering friendships, and inspiringfuture STEM leaders. Each camper left with unforgettable memories, new skills, asense of belonging in STEM, and a deeper belief in their potential. Thank you toevery staff member and volunteer for making it all possible.summer campEXPERIENCES320 GIRLSTHE GEMS CAMP IMPACTED MORE THANTHIS YEAR VIA SUMMER CAMPS ANDSPECIAL PROGRAMS
AcademicsCareerCreativityLeadershipServiceAt TCU, Gems embraced teamwork to conceptualize anddevelop a math video game concept, utilizing cutting-edgeGenerative AI tools like ChatGPT and Dalle-2. They usedprompt engineering to create math story problems andgraphics to make their learning of math fun!Career speakers from the Fort Worth Meta (formerlyFacebook) Data Center spoke to girls about careers atMeta. Specifically, they highlighted cybersecurity anddata science, and the Gems learned about the power of adata center!Tying problem-solving and critical thinking to the statemath standards, each team presented their math videogame concept to a panel of judges ranging fromMetadata scientists and cybersecurity analysts to EdTechengineers.Highlights from The GEMS Camps’2023Seen here, Morgan, a high school senior and peer mentor,leads her small group of mentees through our 5 KaratLeadership curriculum topic on “Self Management.”Morgan, a graduating senior, has participated in The GEMSCamp since 7th grade.TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY - FORT WORTH, TXOn the last day of camp, Gems and staff traveled to a localSenior Living Community for a morning of service andlearning. Gems hosted a mini-technology workshop, playedbingo, sang songs, and sat with residents.
AcademicsCareerCreativityLeadershipService3 SUMMER PROGRAMSAt the TSU camp, academics focused on the biologicalsciences. Classes were full of engaging hands-onexperiments and actual labs. Many girls got to performtheir first dissections!Seen here, Miss Texas Southern University spoke to girlsabout college life and campus leadership. Other careerspeakers came from the medical professional communitywithin the greater Houston area, providing academic andcareer STEM role models for the girls.This team finally got their wind turbine to power up duringCreativity class. Each grade level focused on a specificUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goal to design acommunity-awareness campaign around an issue ofinterest threatening future society, locally and/or globally.Big smiles are a common sight at The GEMS Camp. Laurenand Aliyah show off their awarded keys for “flexibility” and“commitment,” given to them by their mentors. Receivingone of the 8 Keys of Excellence* is a BIG deal as we striveto build strong character in our girls.TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY - HOUSTON, TXFrom the week’s learning of wellness and health issuesfacing girls and women of color, we concluded the week atthe Houston Food Bank. Packing boxes and performingother duties was a great way to understand food insecurityand its impact on women with children.8 Keys of Excellence is a registered trademark of Quantum Learning.
A new holistic stem clubMLK JR COMMUNITY CENTERB E F O R E & A F T E RIn July 2023, we secured a new partnership with the City of Dallas Office of Community Care at the MartinLuther King, Jr. Community Center in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood. The in-kind space allowed us tointroduce innovative STEM programs explicitly catered to teenage girls residing in or near the 75210 and 75215zip codes. The room transformation, supplies, and staff salaries were made possible by grant funding from theState Fair of Texas, NBC Universal, Harold Simmons Foundation, and the Village Giving Circle. Through thispartnership, we aim to achieve several critical objectives: expanding the girls' STEM connections, providinginvaluable mentorship, honing their career readiness skills, sparking their interest in STEM paths, boosting theirself-assurance, and nurturing a genuine sense of belonging in the STEM world. Thank you to every student,parent, and community volunteer who came out to paint, move furniture, stock supplies, and everything inbetween to make this place our community home during the school year for years to come.
A program providing year-round, community-centered, culturally relevant STEM education, emphasizingdesign thinking, student-led initiatives, mentorship, and career exploration. The program, held onweekdays from 4:30 to 7:30 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, includes structured sessions inmentorship, public speaking, mindfulness, and college and career exploration. From 5:30 to 7:00 pm daily,participants engage in STEM projects, choosing from various activities like robotics, engineering design,UX and web design, fashion tech, coding, science experiments, entrepreneurship, podcasting, videography,or book club. A weekly "GEM of the week" is chosen and rewarded. H AZ E L , PA R T I C IP A N T“I’m excited and glad that I have a place where I can go afterschool to continue learning and have fun.”B RI A N N A , P A R T IC I P A N T“Since I’ve been coming here, I feel like I’m moreconfident in my classes. Like I’m speaking up more.”
COMMUNITY & CULTURALLY RELEVANTMATH WALKSIn collaboration with Southern Methodist University and WalkSTEM, participants in the MLK school clubparticipated in a National Science Foundation-funded initiative, where they went on ”math walks” around theCommunity Center to explore the campus through a mathematical lens. As one of nine partner sites in thestudy, girls made mathematical and non-mathematical observations, fostering their curiosity. They also wrotescripts and worked with a professional videographer to produce four videos on scale and ratios. This uniqueopportunity connected girls with the rich history of Black and Latin American societal contributions featured atthe Center and also aided researchers in promoting asset-based approaches to understanding girls in STEM.
CHARLES SCHWAB BANKMoneywise Financial Literacy Programgirls get financially savvy withThe GEMS Camp is honored to have received $16,000 in grant funding and employee engagement support fromCharles Schwab Bank. In this new partnership, 25 girls learned the basics of financial literacy, including saving,budgeting, and even how to read a paystub during a 12-week Saturday virtual program. The program concludedwith an in-person graduation ceremony held at the Charles Schwab Bank Park Cities location in Dallas, whereparticipants received their certificates of completion, and some earned attendance scholarships.
BRILEY R. EL YSIA D. C HR IS TINA M. LE YL A V. NINA S. TATIANA C. DESTINY J. SOPHIA G .Program DirectorALBA RA M I R E ZExecutive DirectorSAKI MI L T O NLEANOR R A N G E LVIP InstructorOffice ManagerLILLIAN S H I P M O NTCU Site DirectorME LINDA WRIGHTTSU Founding Faculty DirectorDR . ERICA CASSIME RETSU Volunteer CoordinatorJE SSICA ALLEGOATCU Site DirectorRU BIDIA JOVETCU Volunteer CoordinatorAN IKA SINHATCU Residential CounselorMA RITZA VILLEGASSr. Volunteer CoordinatorBE TSY BENITEZ A VA B. LILIANA T. MORGAN T. ANGELIZE F. HASYA M. MEERA M. MORGAN D . PEGGY C. PROGRAMMING LEADERSLeaders today, legends tomorrowSUMMER CAMP LEADERSSUMMER & SCHOOLYEAR INTERNSSUMMER & SCHOOLYEAR MENTORSCO RR INE B. SYDNEY T. ED NA M. NORALIS R. E VA B. KATHERI NE R . M ELISSA N. FA TIMA C. ELANA T. CORA G. K AR A J . LEILANI B. HA NN AH A. Senior InternALLISON G .MLK SITE LEADERSMA DI SON C. TAYLOR G. DEVIN H. CA RL A H. MORGAN W. TR IN IT I H.
Ananya Bishnoi Ashley Chin Ashutosh Tiwari Himani Madan STEM CAREER SPEAKERSThank you to our phenomenalDr. Lin Lin Lipsmeyer Candace Walkington, Ph.D. Magdalena Pando, Ph.D. Wade Aston SMU SMU SMU STEMuli Terri Moorenovich Aishwarya Bhegade Emily Walker Dr. Zoranna Jones Meta Meta Meta Texas Christian University CBRE CBRE CBRE CBRE Romelia FloresIBM Distinguished Engineerand Master Inventor, IBMClient EngineeringTCU Keynote Speaker Debra Murray, Ph.D. Breyanna York, BSN, RNRayne Rouce, MDAssociate Director-CommunityEngagement, Office ofDiversity, Baylor College ofMedicineTSU Keynote SpeakerHayley Murphey Hollie Davies Mitchell Shumway Nour Haj Salem Rahil Parikh Zain Ali Zure Dalle, BS, MS. Tramauni Brock, PHARM.D. CBRE CBRE Texas Southern University Children’s Hospital CBRE Meta CBRE CBRE Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Memorial Hospital
FINANCIALOverviewThanks to the generous support of our donors and sponsors, we continued our mission of empowering teenUnderrepresented and Underserved middle school girls (and more) to increase their interest in pursuingfuture careers in STEM. Our total income for 2023 was $229,241, with the majority coming from foundation-restricted and unrestricted grants. Our net income grew by $37,881 when compared to the previous year. In2024, we are budgeting for a net income of $25,350 as we continue diversifying our financial sources throughgrants and sponsorships, and prepare to launch our revenue-generating licensure model.Investing inUnderrepresented andUnderserved Girls'Futures.Total Income$229,241Tuition & Fees$25,434Corporate Contributions$38,500 RestrictedGrants $40,000 Unrestricted Grants$93,000Individuals$30,806Licensing & Services$1,500Where Our Funds Came from in 2023
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000AccountingAwards/ScholarshipsBackground ChecksBank ChargesCateringContractorsInsuranceLegalLicenses, Dues & SubscriptionsMarketingPayrollPayroll ServicePayroll TaxesPrintingRent & LeaseShippingStaff Meals & TrainingSuppliesTechnologyTransportationTravelIn 2023, major categories of expenses included payroll, which decreased by 17% from the previous year, andlegal expenses, which saw a substantial increase of over $8,100 as the organization sought legal counsel forto create the licensure agreement -- a new revenue-generating model that will launch this year. Rent andlease expenses increased drastically (77%) while catering expenses also rose, reflecting Texas ChristianUniversity’s price increase for meals during summer camp. Overall, expenses were well managed with aprogram efficiency ratio of 74% (programming expenses out of organizational total expenditures).Where Our Funds Went in 2023Total Expenses$222,07374% of spending wentdirectly to programming!
FINANCIAL AND ENGAGEMENT SUPPORTThat Makes It Possible
MA RC S AGE RBoard SecretaryGraduate Research AssistantSouthern Methodist UniversityPR I YA RED DYBoard MemberVice President of Enterprise Data Management Reprise FinancialFE R N J OHN SONBoard MemberChief Technology OfficerVice PresidentPepsiCoMA N AL EL MAS R YBoard MemberFounder & PresidentIDEATE Project Management ServicesBoard MemberManager, Project Management& Data StrategyMcDonald’s Corp.ME LAN I E G RAYER I KA BRO WNPH OLE S HA JOH NSO N RA M K A SIR AMA NBoard TreasurerFormer Finance Executive, Ph.D. StudentTexas Woman's UniversityBoard PresidentMarketing ConsultantSelf EmployedVice PresidentStrategistSelf-EmployedAL I SH A BA ILE YBoard MemberProgram ManagerSouthern MethodistUniversityKA T HER INE RO L DA NBoard MemberAssociate Solutions EngineerDigital RealityJA S ON JOH NSO N , P H.D .Board MemberAssociate ProfessorEmirates College forAdvanced EducationBOARD OF DIRECTORSStepping up to lead the wayMO L LY RUS SEL LBoard MemberSenior Manager Legal -Privacy and CybersecurityCharles Schwab
Please note that every effort was made to ensure all of our valued donors have been listedcorrectly. If any corrections need to be made please contact info@thegemscamp.org.DONORSRecognizing Our GenerousManal El MasryWilliam ONeillAmanda MurrayKacey BessElaine WilliamsHeather McIntyreRoland OlivaLindy OlivaZachary MaynerCheyanne HerreraCharlotte GregorBarbara SharmanErica CassimereTanya MushovicSarah KimCharles FerrellPedro GonzalezRavi ViswanathRam SathappanSonya EvansRachael BiedermanBenjamin KimBenjamin DamkrogerKimberly VangKt HolleyBhrad RamazaniVivian LeeWill SharmanPam KlynGloria KimAlba RamirezRemington RossTaylor RobinsSandra RamirezCathryn McClellanKirby KubelkaDan NaefBeth NaegHadrien BlampoixDiontha FancherHeidi CardenasKaitlin HawkinsErika BrownStefanie EtienneVictor AvesLisa BrormannGrace PanTeresa DoanKevyn RobinsNadia GarfunkelOkary WongMelinda LockhartPeggy MartinSaki MiltonShawn PollmanCynthia GrayJeannine BosLaura FarrellyLillian ShipmonNadia GarfunkelYWLA MarketingLester PetittDarlise McBrideToni Harrison-KellyMichele BartnikKiddist BeleteFred KohlerSheppard Mullin DallasMark LiniadoWayne McGinnisTiffany Tang
GOAL 1. Serve 200-300 girls at the MLK site through ongoing and one-time programs by the end of the year. GOAL 2. Host 3 summer residential camps serving a minimum of 90girls (in total) by the end of the summer. GOAL 3. Establish 3 new strategic partnerships by the end of the year. GOAL 4. Launch our first annual fundraising campaign by November2024.GOAL 5. Create an alumni database to begin longitudinal tracking ofparticipants.GOAL 6. Launch the GEMS licensing program for summer camps. GOAL 7. Hit a revenue target of $270,000 by December 2024. GOAL 8. Develop an onboarding portal for volunteers, interns, and staff.WE THANK YOUFOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN OUR PROGRAMSORGANIZATIONAL GOALS2024
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