Chicago Tech Academy’s Young Women’s Leadership Society Hosts the 10th Annual Little Black Dress Night
Chicago, IL, May 8th, 2024 — Chicago Tech Academy’s Young Women’s Leadership Society is a year-long program that supports female students’ professional advancement as future leaders in technology and entrepreneurship. The 10th Annual Little Black Dress Night will be held on the 14th floor at Macy’s on May 21, 2024 at 5 PM and will feature critical conversations about diversity and equity in STEM. All proceeds from the event will support Chicago Tech in sending 20 of the Young Women’s Leadership Society members interested in pursuing STEM to college.
“McCann Partners’ long-standing partnership with Chicago Tech Academy’s Little Black Dress Night is one we deeply value. The event’s focus on promoting gender diversity in technology aligns perfectly with our commitment to increasing the number and influence of women in technology and leadership roles,” said ChiTech Board Member and LBDN Ambassador Megan McCann. “It is equally inspiring to witness the passion and dedication of everyone involved, whether learning from the powerhouse speakers and thought leaders disrupting the industry or the young lady leaders themselves! It is a not-to-be-missed event that does not disappoint.”
This annual, sell-out event brings together speakers and thought leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds to share their ideas on how to tackle the challenges faced by both entrepreneurs and students in STEM fields. Beyond Barriers Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer, Monica Marquez, will keynote this year’s Little Black Dress Night. Throughout her career, Monica has pioneered industry-leading programs to help the disadvantaged gain breakthrough access to opportunities. She has led diversity and inclusion initiatives at some of the world’s best companies such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Ernst & Young, and Google.
“At the core of our work, ChiTech is diversifying the STEM industry by reducing barriers for Black and Brown students from low-income backgrounds to enter careers in technology,” said LBDN & YWLS Founder, Tiara Wheatley. “One of my favorite parts of this annual event is the dynamic lineup of speakers and panelists who inspire our girls and attendees.”
This year’s panel brings together industry titans with proven experiences in breaking barriers women of color face in STEM. Moderated by Founder & TV/Radio Personality, Jeanne Sparrow, the LBDN panel includes Kathleen Caliento, (President & CEO, Cara Collective), Charmayne Beverly (VP of Talent, Old Republic International), and Jennifer Catalan (Senior Corporate Counsel, Ensono).
Little Black Dress Night (LBDN) is a culmination of conversations with business and technology leaders throughout the school year for girls in the Young Women’s Leadership Society. LBDN directly impacts ChiTech’s programs and its ability to increase the number of female students who pursue tech-related careers and degrees through scholarships and post-secondary support.
To learn more about the event or purchase a ticket, visit www.chitech.org/lbdn2024. Contact Tiara Wheatley, Founder, YWLS & LBDN at twheatley@chicagotechacademy.org to engage your company or inquire about corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Engage with ChiTech: #LBDN2024 | Twitter: @ChiTechAcademy | Web: chitech.org/lbdn2024
Thank you to this year’s LBDN sponsors (updated 5.6.24):
Platinum: DRW, Motorola Solutions Foundation, McCann Partners, Beyond Barriers, Ensono
Gold: TechNexus
Silver: ActiveCampaign, AHEAD, Elizabeth & Steve Young, Mesirow Financial, T-Mobile, Clayco
Bronze: Zebra, G2, AnitaB, TransUnion, ActiveCampaign, Elizabeth & Steve Young, Tereo Group, Maginox, d’Escoto Inc, Alliant, Axon
Friend: Orba, Kevin Steele, Sandy & Mary Beth Lourie, Tim Handorf
Digital Content: Kareracter Creative Studio
About Chicago Tech Academy
Chicago Tech Academy (ChiTech) is a 4-year contract high school founded in 2009 with a mission to educate, empower, and connect a diverse next generation of entrepreneurial thinkers to discover their passions, succeed in college, and thrive in a digital world. ChiTech uses project-based learning, entrepreneurial principles, STEM education, and real-world experiences with Chicago companies to execute the mission. https://chitech.org
About Young Women’s Leadership Society (YWLS)
The Young Women’s Leadership Society is dedicated to empowering and advancing the next generation of female leaders in the technology and entrepreneurship fields. Through a dynamic range of internal and external events, engaging workshops, college campus visits, and insightful discussions with industry leaders, we strive to break stereotypes, foster healthy relationships, and cultivate essential skills for building invaluable professional networks. Our mission is to not only support, but to inspire and propel young women toward impactful careers that leave a lasting imprint on Chicago and beyond. Join us as we shape the future of leadership and pave the way for success, one empowered woman at a time. For more info on YWLS visit: https://chitech.org/student-life/ywls/
MEDIA CONTACTS
Chicago Tech Academy
Tiara Wheatley
twheatley@chicagotechacademy.org
773-419-4463
