Presented in partnership with the Pacific Science Center
Join the Northwest African American Museum and the Pacific Science Center for an afternoon of family-focused fun! We will learn about Black innovators in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
We have 3 amazing speakers, Trish Millines Dziko, iAsia Brown, and Deena Pierott, who will share their THINK BIG inspirations and motivations as they guide the families through a S.T.E.A.M. project that the whole family can participate in. You do not want to miss this!
This event is free and open to the public.
Registration is limited to 20 families at this time.
About the speakers:
Trish Millines Dziko
Trish Millines Dziko founded TAF in 1996 after spending 15 years as a developer, designer and manager in the high tech industry. A native of New Jersey who attended Monmouth College (now Monmouth University) on a basketball scholarship, she graduated with a B. S. in Computer Science in 1979 at a time when few people of color and few women were entering the field. Her successful career brought her to Microsoft in the mid-1980s, just as the pioneering software company was set to become a worldwide brand.
Over the next decade of tremendous growth, she saw very little change in the high tech industry: women and people of color remained grossly under-represented. After looking closely at the problem as Microsoft’s first Sr. Diversity Administrator, she determined the only solution was to increase the number of qualified people graduating from college. She traced the root of the problem to the lack of access to rigorous, relevant technology training in our public schools, particularly those in traditionally underserved communities of color. Millines Dziko left Microsoft in 1996, the same year she founded TAF.
In addition to her work at TAF, Millines Dziko remains a committed, proactive leader and serves on the boards of several organizations that focus on children and education. She has received dozens of local and national awards for her work improving the educational opportunities for children of color.
Millines Dziko and her partner live on Vashon Island and are the proud parents of 4 children.
iAsia Brown
iAsia Brown is a program manager on the fast track for Azure team at Microsoft. She is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and Air Force. iAsia is a customer-obsessed, performance-oriented, global professional with significant experience bridging the gap between Business and Technology. She has a strong background in IT and is an amazing artist. You can see her beautiful artwork on instagram.
Deena Pierott
Deena Pierott is a Social Impact Entrepreneur and the Founder of the award winning and nationally recognized STEM+Arts program for youth of color called iUrban Teen which has chapters in four states, and most recently launched Black Women in STEM 2.0.
Ms. Pierott is also a diversity strategist and international public speaker. She has served on several boards and commissions including a Gubernatorial appointment to the Commission on African American Affairs in the State of Washington.
She holds the following awards and honors:
• Essence Magazine Top 50 Black Female Founders 2018
• Essence Magazine Top Black Women in STEM 2017
• Washington State African American Achievement Award 2017
• Clark College Iris Award 2017
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Global Impact Award 2016
• Whitney M. Young Award 2015
• White House Champion of Change for Technology Inclusion 2013
• Ebony Magazine Power 100 List 2013
• Rockefeller Innovation Award Nominee 2013
• Business Journal Orchid Award 2013
• The Delta's Woman of Excellence 2011
Featured in the following publications: Government Technology, Essence Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, Black Enterprise, Ebony Magazine, Deliver magazine, Portland Business Journal, Geekwire, Colors of Influence, Neurology Now, the Chicago Tribune and on NPR.