“Creating meaningful change for our planet and every community”
Through our Giving Now program, onsemi is driving positivity forward by creating meaningful change for our planet and every community that we live and work in around the globe,” said Tyler Lacey, board president for the ON Semiconductor Foundation, a Giving Now program at onsemi. “On behalf of the Foundation, we’re proud to support the work of Strong TIES as we work toward making the world better together.
For ten years, Strong TIES has been igniting the innovative spirit that runs deep in our community, transforming young minds into the explorers, adventurers, and creators of tomorrow. At the helm of this transformative journey is Dr. Loretta Cheeks, whose vision was born from the rich soil of rural Louisiana and nurtured by the enduring African American tradition of uplifting the beloved community.
Dr. Cheeks understood that our children needed more than just opportunity - they needed a launchpad to propel them into the stratosphere of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Drawing inspiration from visionaries like Sister Joan Chittister “you may not be able to change the world, but you can do one thing” and musician Marcus Roberts “take what a young person knows, and give them the tools to use what they know, to unlock what they don’t know.” Strong TIES has become a beacon of hope, illuminating paths to success in high-tech fields like Gaming and Artificial Intelligence. By embracing our youth’s innate knowledge and providing them with cutting-edge tools, Strong TIES has empowered over 9,000 underrepresented students to not just enter the STEAM ecosystem, but to thrive and lead within it.
This isn’t just about individual success - it’s about reshaping our collective future. In true American tradition, Strong TIES is building a legacy of giving back, ensuring that each student who passes through its programs becomes an advocate for change, ready to shape society with technology and the arts. As we celebrate a decade of impact, we look forward to a future where our children aren’t just participants in innovation, but its driving force. Strong TIES is more than a program - it’s a movement, centering our people and our planet in the culture of STEAM, and forging a path to a more sustainable, equitable tomorrow. On behalf of Strong TIES and its’ Board of Trustees, thank you.
Dr.Loretta H. Cheeks
Strong TIES Founder &
CEO
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Strong TIES has joined forces with National Geographic as their state partner, igniting a powerful movement among youth to become environmental changemakers. This partnership is rooted in a shared belief that no problem is insurmountable and that brilliant ideas can emerge from any corner of our community. For the past three years, our vibrant 13-18 year olds have risen to the challenge, crafting compelling one-minute videos that showcase their innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues.
The Slingshot Challenge in the Box summer camp, a four-day intensive program, is at the heart of this initiative. Here, students are armed with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to address critical environmental challenges: protecting nature, cleaning the air, restoring oceans, reducing waste, and tackling climate change. With the support of Arizona State University and creative artists Richie Jimenez, our young participants are learning to harness the diversity of nature as a springboard for innovation and narrative-shifting storytelling. This program isn’t just about creating videos; it’s about cultivating a generation of planet protectors and amplifying voices that have too often been silenced. From passionate advocates to inspiring storytellers, these young changemakers are leveraging their unique perspectives and creativity to envision solutions that could reshape our world. With potential funding of up to $10,000 for their ideas, Strong TIES and National Geographic are not just dreaming of a brighter future – they’re investing in it. This is more than an environmental initiative; it’s a revolution in empowerment, proving that the most impactful solutions often come from those most affected by the problems. As we nurture these young minds, we’re not just protecting our planet – we’re cultivating a new generation of leaders who understand that their voices matter and that they have the power to create real, lasting change.
Our sponsors for this event are National Geographic and OnSemi Foundation.
Picture this: a revolutionary educational program that doesn’t just capture our youth’s imagination, but equips them with the power to reshape our digital landscape. That’s exactly what Strong TIES is doing with STEAM in the Game. This groundbreaking initiative is opening doors for our children in the exhilarating world of game design and development, all while tackling real-world issues through the UN Sustainable Development Goals. From mastering Python coding to exploring visual effects, students are developing critical skills that extend far beyond the gaming industry. These young visionaries are being prepared for cutting-edge careers in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and even avionics - any field where immersive technologies and simulations are changing the game. With powerhouse sponsors like State Farm, National Geographic, On Semi Foundation, and APS, and a premier partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley & GameFlo, STEAM in the Game is more than just an educational program. It’s a movement, creating a diverse pipeline of tech talent ready to innovate, lead, and drive change across all sectors. By tapping into the natural creativity and problem-solving skills of our youth through gaming, Strong TIES is cultivating the next generation of tech leaders who will shape our future. Strong TIES are shifting and leveling up their futures.
As we spotlight the champions of our community, Diana Gregory’s Fresh Market and Outreach Services stands tall, marking 15 years of unwavering commitment to battling food insecurity. This beacon of hope has now joined forces with Strong TIES, donating fresh fruits to fuel young minds in their pursuit of STEAM education. This partnership beautifully intertwines the fight against hunger with the cultivation of future innovators, addressing multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals in one powerful stroke. By providing nutritious food, Diana Gregory’s Fresh Market isn’t just filling stomachs – it’s opening doors to a world of food-related disciplines and careers. From agricultural technology to nutrition science, from sustainable farming to food policy, these young minds are being exposed to a buffet of possibilities. This collaboration reminds us that food security and education are deeply interconnected, and by addressing both, we’re cultivating a generation of problem-solvers equipped to tackle our community’s most pressing issues. As we celebrate this 15-year milestone, we’re not just applauding past achievements – we’re witnessing the seeds of a brighter, more equitable future being planted, one piece of fruit at a time.
we inspire, we empower, we build together
Strong TIES is a nonprofit organization founded in 2014 by Dr. Loretta Cheeks, Ph.D. Strong TIES was established in order to serve Arizona youth, middle and high school learners, through connecting cultural and societal ties and STEAM competencies. Strong TIES has stayed true to its’ aim, to serve and advance Black and Brown middle and high school learners in Informal Science Learning (ISL) programs with rigor and rich educational curriculum, exposure and experiences as a compliment to their formal learning settings.
Over time, Strong TIES has empowered students over 27 states with cutting-edge practical STEAM knowledge and skills, educators professional development, publications, workshops and speaking.
Strong TIES is shaping the global future workforce by creating pathways for underrepresented groups, such as Black, LatinX and Native American students. These pathways include educating students to enter the STEAM workforces, equipping learners with STEAM skills and being a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship. The curriculums created by Strong TIES are culturally-centric and relevant to address the unique interests and experiences of Black and Brown students. This includes integrating STEM with art expressions such as hip-hop, gaming, music composition, data visualization in and on objects (spatial computing), character animation, virtual reality, digital motion caption, 2D and 3D storytelling, sports and entertainment. Strong TIES programming portfolio are as follows:
STEAM Activation Lab & Professional Development is a revolutionary program designed to introduce educators and high school learners to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of Design Thinking that will equip them to tackle real-world problems.
. The world is changing at an unprecedented rate, and the challenges we face today require creative and innovative solutions. At STEAM Activation Lab, we believe that every learner has the potential to be a changemaker, and we’re here to help them unlock it.
Turn Up for STEAM Annual Event & Summer Camps. This service offering is designed to introduces engage students—young boys and girls—13-18 ages to STEAM. It comprises a 2-or-3-days weekend of STEAM introduction and engagement using culturally relevant tools, such as Hip-Hop, improv performances, STEAM applications, digital designs, computer science, engineering and design process, and computer code. Our success in delivering a quality program rest in sustaining strong relations and collaboration with best in class mentors from industry partners, school educators (i.e., high school and higher education), and community leaders. Building bridges to local resources is essential; this is why we offer students and parents critical resources for college preparation, financial aid, and success stories for navigating STEAM pathways.
Turn Up for STEAM Annual Event and Summer Camps are offered nationwide and available to partners who desire to provide STEAM outreach to youth in community. Turn Up for STEAM was the designated State Farm program in all its Hub locations.
STEAM and Global Citizenship Mentoring Program. The STEAM and Global Citizenship Mentoring Program is a sustainable framework is for girls only ages 13-18. It gives under-represented and under-served middle and high school girls the opportunity to intersect STEAM with Global Citizenship. The STEAM and Global Citizenship Mentoring Program delivers curriculum, mentoring, and instructions for creating data-driven digital expressions, problem-solving, coding, virtual reality, computational arts, mentoring, digital competencies, and global competencies. The program intersect STEAM with Global Citizenship for contextualizing STEAM in the globe. This is year round mentoring program. Strong TIES have had the pleasure to host short-term travel with cohorts to Ghana, West Africa, New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA and bound to South Africa in 2023.
STEAM Power Curriculums and Workshops. Students begin by exploring STEAM concepts with a focus on energy forms, then transition to discovering fundamental concepts of electricity and electrical circuits, followed by the application of the concepts using the Sustainability within the context of Smart Cities and Energy dependent technologies and or systems.
STEAM in the Game. Strong TIES STEAM was created amidst COVID-19 and the eruption of social justice issues. We bring unique contextual and cultural stylings to U.S. youth nationwide in the form of STEAM in the Game. The result is the convergence of game and world building design with instructions for learning how to design and develop 2D and 3D video games and virtual reality. In July 2020 and 2021, STEAM in the Game reached 400 youth across our nation, linked over 10 community partners, introduced NBA and WNBA pros, and highlighted 30 Black and Latinx as speakers, technology creators, and teacher coaches. This first ever national youth gaming education and NBA Legends eSports Tournament is a testament to the transformative power of collective action when intentional reach meets passion and grit.
National STEAM Day. At Strong TIES, we commemorate National STEAM Day by hosting a STEAM Activation Professional Development Workshop to provide exposure to creative approaches for engaing learners in STEAM, introductions of outstanding professionals, and share and exchange exclusive resources. Our workshop involves local and nationwide STEAM professionals and working sessions to explore and practice creative and culturally responsive approaches to engage learners.
Please join us in celebrating and supporting Arizona’s teachers and students as well as the educational programs and organizations that provide opportunities to our communities.
Sincerely, Thank You. Stronger Together!
Dr. Loretta H. Cheeks, Ph.D.
Special Thank You
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Trinity of Success
Event Volunteers
The Strong TIES Board of Trustees
Your commitment to improving education helps our children succeed now and well into the future. State Farm® proudly supports STEAM and your efforts to help the next generation thrive in school and at work.
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®