Inaugural Spring 2022 Cohort Includes Students from HBCUs And Majority Latinx Institutions
Washington, DC (January 14, 2021) – The Blockchain Association has launched a new Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Internship program for its member companies to expand access to careers in blockchain and create a diverse pipeline of industry leaders. The program, held virtually, targets academic institutions that typically do not have early exposure to opportunities in emerging technologies in order to ensure participants reflect the vibrant, burgeoning crypto marketplace.
A recent Harvard Harris poll and Morning Consult study indicate that Black and Latinx communities are leading mainstream crypto adoption nationally, emphasizing the necessity for this type of initiative.
The inaugural cohort includes students from Florida International University, Howard University, Morgan State University, and the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Interns will get the chance to experience what it’s like to work at some of the most reputable companies in the industry – CoinList, Dash Core Group, Genesis Trading, and Trust Token. The program kicks off this month.
While interns will be assigned to specific companies, the Blockchain Association will also convene workshops, fireside chats, career counseling sessions, and other activities to deepen the experience and enable students to connect and engage.
“The potential for financial inclusion in cryptocurrency and blockchain to expand economic opportunity is real,” said Kristin Smith, Executive Director of the Blockchain Association. “Our strategy is to be intentional about diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Blockchain Association as we support our members and advocate for the growing sector.”
Florida International University
Florida International University is Miami’s public research university and in less than five decades has become a top 100 public university, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges. FIU is focused on student success and research excellence, with nearly $200 million in annual research expenditures. The Next Horizon fundraising campaign is furthering FIU’s commitment to providing students Worlds Ahead opportunities. Today FIU has two campuses and multiple centers, including sites in Qingdao and Tianjin, China, and supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA, with more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. The university has awarded more than 330,000 degrees to many leaders in South Florida and beyond. For more information on FIU, visit www.fiu.edu.
Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.
Morgan State University
In 2019, Morgan State University became the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to create an on-campus center for blockchain and financial technology. The National Fintech Center is a self-proclaimed center of excellence. It’s the hub of the HBCU Blockchain and FinTech network and actively engages faculty and students at all HBCUs for research, curriculum and education. As the first of its kind, the center aims to provide in-depth knowledge and understanding of blockchain technology and its impact on finance, business and more. For more information on Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
The Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, established in 1880 by the religious order of the Society of the Sacred Heart, is a Catholic, private and non-profit institution that promotes a unique and innovative educational project in an environment characterized by a community life of excellence. The University offers associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, combined degrees, master’s degrees, and post-baccalaureate certificates. The academic offer is concentrated in the areas of Business Administration, Natural Sciences, Communication, Nursing and Humanities-Social Sciences. For more information on Sagrado, visit www.sagrado.edu
