바카라 에볼루션 Announces Support of DEI-Related Educational Initiatives Through HBCU/MIs and the Optica 바카라 에볼루션

PITTSBURGH, April 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – 바카라 에볼루션 Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a leader in  materials, networking and lasers, today announced a 0,000 sponsorship of two educational initiatives targeted to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in entrepreneurship, innovation, and advanced technology: the바카라 에볼루션/MI Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiativeby Leadership Needed 바카라 에볼루션 and theOptica 바카라 에볼루션 Amplify Scholarshipfor Black scientists.

The 바카라 에볼루션/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative by Leadership Needed Foundation aims to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority institutions (바카라 에볼루션/MIs) in developing a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum that is particularly relevant in preparing African American and other minority young men and women to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and become leaders and entrepreneurs.

Founded in 1916, Optica is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement. Additionally, the Optica 바카라 에볼루션 focuses on the next generation of innovators and technologists to cultivate a diverse workforce able to address global challenges. Each year, Black undergraduate and graduate students receive scholarships from the Optica 바카라 에볼루션 to ease the financial burden of college and other benefits including, a one-year membership to Optica, access to mentors, and an invitation to the 2024 Amplify Optics Immersion Program.

On April 19, 2024, Dr. Vincent D. (Chuck) Mattera, Jr., 바카라 에볼루션’s Chair and CEO, spoke at the 2024 HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation event at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta. Dr. Mattera outlined 바카라 에볼루션’s commitment of funding, equipment, and expertise to the HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative and received the 2024 Outstanding Supporter of the HBCU/MI Award on behalf of 바카라 에볼루션.

“Potential is universal; resources are not,” said Dr. Mattera. “The single greatest privilege I have had in my career is helping develop talent. I have taught classes at an 바카라 에볼루션, and that experience reminds me that our greatest human talents are unleashed by giving free rein to imagination. It is our responsibility to help create opportunities for young people in love with discovery and possibility. We will work with 바카라 에볼루션/MI and the Optica Foundation to expand the reach of the life-changing work they do. This is a major opportunity to strengthen America’s role in laser design, manufacturing, and applications.”

바카라 에볼루션 will work with the HBCU/MI initiative’s team to develop training programs for educators to build advanced degree and certification programs for laser technology. In addition to expertise, 바카라 에볼루션 is providing 5,000 in funding and donations of equipment, supplies, and material to support the academic programs.

“CEO of HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Leadership Needed Foundation Dr. Mohammad Bhuiyan and Honorary Chair General Larry Ellis (Ret. US Army) are very pleased with the partnership and positive support from 바카라 에볼루션 Corp. and its Chair and CEO Dr. Chuck Mattera to help HBCU/MI institutions to become leaders in laser technology and provide a trained workforce that would be badly needed in the coming future,” said a spokesperson for HBCU/MI. “This partnership will not only help 바카라 에볼루션 Corp. and HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship & Innovation achieve their respective goals but will also make a significant impact on national security.”

In addition, 바카라 에볼루션 has pledged 5,000 toward the Optica Foundation Amplify Scholarship for Black scientists. Launched in 2021, the Amplify Scholarship is a global program that has awarded scholarships to 35 Black science and engineering students representing 21 countries. The notable year over year increase in applicants, including women, highlights the strong interest in photonics and optics among engineering students from underserved populations. 바카라 에볼루션’s support will enable the Optica Foundation to increase the individual scholarship awards from ,500 to ,000 and extend the financial foundation for continued scholarships into the next decade. 바카라 에볼루션 is also a proud supporter of the Optica Women Scholars program.

“바카라 에볼루션’s donation to our Amplify Scholarship reflects a mutual commitment to inclusion and excellence in photonics with the Optica Foundation,” said Eric Mazur, Optica Foundation Chair, Harvard University. “It supports emerging scholars, emphasizing the role of varied perspectives in driving innovation. This partnership aligns with our core values and fortifies the global optics and photonics community for the challenges ahead.”

“True leadership transcends profit margins and rankings; it is also measured by the opportunities we create and the futures we nurture to enable sustained technology leadership,” said Lisa Neal-Graves, HBCU Alum and 바카라 에볼루션 Board Member. “바카라 에볼루션 is doing this today through our commitment to organizations that create opportunities for Black science and engineering students to pursue the lives they dream about, strengthen our workforce, and drive generational change through enduring educational programs.”

바카라 에볼루션/MI Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative

The 바카라 에볼루션/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative aims to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority institutions in developing a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum that is particularly relevant in preparing African American and other minority young men and women to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and become leaders and entrepreneurs. The program aims to stimulate student interest in entrepreneurship and provide them with the experience of conceiving business ventures and preparing effective business plans. Additionally, it offers training and networking opportunities to existing businesses in the 바카라 에볼루션 communities, enabling them to move to the next level and contributing to the reduction of the wealth gap. This initiative brings together 바카라 에볼루션/MI presidents/chancellors along with business, foundation, entrepreneurial, government, military, and other leaders to focus on the advancement of 바카라 에볼루션/MIs. Each year, the program selects a special theme to support 바카라 에볼루션/MIs. For more information, please visit us at바카라 에볼루션miei.org.

Optica 바카라 에볼루션

Established in 2002, the Optica 바카라 에볼루션 carries out charitable activities in support of the society’s student and early career members. We cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators as they navigate advanced degree programs and become active members of research, engineering, and business communities worldwide. The 바카라 에볼루션 also works to secure the endowments for Optica’s awards and honors programs. The 바카라 에볼루션 is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. For more information, visitoptica.org/바카라 에볼루션.