{"id":182802,"date":"2026-01-29T16:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T21:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/beya-stem-conference-to-mark-40th-anniversary-with-focus-on-ai-cybersecurity-and-quantum-computing\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T17:00:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T22:00:10","slug":"beya-stem-conference-to-mark-40th-anniversary-with-focus-on-ai-cybersecurity-and-quantum-computing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/beya-stem-conference-to-mark-40th-anniversary-with-focus-on-ai-cybersecurity-and-quantum-computing\/","title":{"rendered":"BEYA STEM Conference to mark 40th anniversary with focus on AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing"},"content":{"rendered":"

BEYA STEM Conference to mark 40th anniversary with focus on AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/afro.com\/40th-anniversary-beya-baltimore\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Publish Date: 2026-01-29 16:46:00<\/a><\/p>\n

Source Domain: afro.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Author: <\/a><\/p>\n

Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points. <\/p>\n

By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com<\/p>\n

The Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference will return to the Baltimore Convention Center on Feb. 12-14, celebrating excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.<\/p>\n

The Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference will return to Baltimore on Feb. 12-14, offering workforce development, educational and networking opportunities to professionals, business leaders, military officials, industry experts and students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Credit: Photo courtesy of Career Communications Group<\/p>\n

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the gathering bringing together hundreds of professionals, business leaders, military personnel, industry experts and students for professional development, networking and job fairs. Keeping with a recent tradition, the conference will offer a digital twin experience, allowing individuals to attend virtually or in person.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tyrone Taborn, founder of BEYA and CEO of Career Communications Group (CCG), said the conference has sharpened its focus to meet rapidly evolving labor needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have elevated and refocused all of our attention to three areas in workforce training: artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity,\u201d said Taborn. \u201cThose are the three areas that will have the most workforce demand no matter what field you\u2019re in\u2014 whether it\u2019s health care, finance or the military.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Taborn said his team created a workforce development committee that was solely focused on revising the conference\u2019s programming around these topics, with an emphasis on certification and practical training.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During the conference, the prestigious Black Engineer of the Year Award will also be bestowed upon a STEM leader recognized for community impact, innovation and support of the next generation of professionals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Though BEYA has historically honored U.S. military and defense leaders through its Stars and Stripes ceremony, last year, branches of the armed forces withdrew from the conference\u2019s career fair. Their absence followed an executive order issued by the 47th president last January that abolished equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While BEYA highlights and celebrates diversity, the gathering has always welcomed all students and professionals of all backgrounds, according to Taborn. The withdrawals, combined with broader corporate pullbacks, have taken a heavy toll on BEYA\u2019s parent organization, CCG. Taborn said the company lost more than $3 million in 2025, forcing the company to consider reducing its staff by up to 60 percent this February. Still, he remains focused on the conference\u2019s mission and his organization\u2019s long-term vision.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe future continues,\u201d said Taborn. \u201cAs we regroup and pivot, building up our other products such as STEM City USA and our unbelievable AI certification and training will be the areas where we move forward until this turns around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBEYA took a hit, but we\u2019re strong,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe have a strong community, and people are still contributing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

BEYA\u2019s origins date back to 1987. At the time, Black students were significantly underrepresented in STEM programs, particularly because they lacked access to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Taborn decided to team up with Eugene Deloach, who founded Morgan State University\u2019s school of engineering in 1984, to organize the first awards ceremony. Through the conference, the pair strived to increase the number of engineering programs at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the number of students enrolled in them. They also wanted to ensure that career pathways were available, as most STEM recruiters frequented predominantly White universities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today, MSU continues to be a key supporter of the conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFor 40 years, the BEYA STEM Conference has stood as both a mirror and a mandate\u2014 reflecting the extraordinary excellence of Black innovators while challenging institutions and industries to do more to cultivate, support and sustain talent,\u201d said David K. Wilson, president of MSU.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wilson emphasized that BEYA\u2019s purpose continues to be deeply rooted in the same values that shape MSU: access, opportunity and impact.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the earliest collaborations with HBCUs to its global reputation today, BEYA has demonstrated that excellence in STEM is inseparable from responsibility,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cAs we mark this 40th anniversary in Baltimore, Morgan remains proud to stand alongside BEYA in advancing inclusive innovation and preparing the next generation of leaders who will shape our collective future.\u201d<\/p>\n

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