The second annual Bridging Talents and Opportunities (BTO) forum was held at MIT’s Stratton Student Center on October 11 and 12. This two-day event brought together over 500 participants, including high school students and their families, undergraduates, faculty, and leaders from the STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).
The forum aimed to empower talented students from the United States and Latin America to dream big and pursue higher education, showcasing that access to prestigious institutions like MIT is possible regardless of socio-economic barriers. The event featured inspiring talks from renowned scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, social leaders, and entertainment figures, including Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum and musician and producer Emilio Estefan, among others.
« Our initiative is committed to forging meaningful connections between talented young individuals, their families, foundations, and leaders in science, arts, mathematics, and technology, » said Ronald Garcia Ruiz, Thomas A. Frank Career Development Assistant Professor of Physics at MIT and an organizer of the forum. « Recognizing that talent is universal but opportunities are often confined to certain sectors of society, we are dedicated to bridging this gap. BTO provides a platform to share inspiring stories and offer support to promising young talents, enabling them to seize the diverse opportunities that await them. »
During the talks and panel discussions, speakers shared their insights on topics such as access to STEM education, overcoming socio-economic challenges and barriers, and strategies to foster inclusion in STEM fields. Students also had the chance to network with industry leaders and professionals, establishing connections for future collaborations.
Participants engaged in hands-on scientific demonstrations, interacted with robots, and toured MIT’s labs, gaining a glimpse into cutting-edge scientific research. The event also featured musical performances by Latin American students from the Berklee College of Music.
« I was thrilled to see the enthusiasm of the young people and their parents and to be inspired by the beautiful stories of accomplished scientists and individuals from other fields who have made a positive impact in the real world, » said Edwin Pedrozo Peñafiel, Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Florida and organizer. « That’s why I firmly believe representation matters. »
Welcoming a Nobel Laureate
The first day of the forum opened with welcoming remarks from Nergis Mavalvala, Dean of the School of Science, and Boleslaw Wyslouch, Director of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science and MIT Bates Research and Engineering Center, and concluded with a keynote address by human rights activist and 1992 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum, founder of the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation. Reflecting on indigenous perspectives on science, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a humanistic perspective in scientific discovery. « My struggle has been to build a humanistic perspective… where science, technology… are the product of human strength, » Menchú remarked. She also shared her extraordinary story, encouraging students to persevere despite obstacles.
Diana Grass, a PhD candidate in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program and organizer, shared: « As a woman scientist and first-generation student, I have firsthand experience of the impact of breaking down barriers and the importance of representation. At Bridging Talents and Opportunities (BTO), we are shaping a future where opportunities are accessible to all. Seeing students from underserved backgrounds, accompanied by their parents, engage with some of today’s most influential scientists and leaders—who shared their own stories of resilience—was both inspiring and transformative. It sparked crucial conversations about how interdisciplinary collaboration in the STEAM field, grounded in humanity, is essential to address the critical challenges of our time. »
The Power of the Arts
The second day concluded with a panel on « The Power of the Arts, » featuring actor, singer, and songwriter Carlos Ponce, along with musician and producer Emilio Estefan. They were joined by journalist and author Luz María Doria, who moderated the discussion. Throughout the panel, the speakers shared their inspiring journeys to success in the entertainment industry. « This forum reaffirmed our commitment to bringing talents closer to opportunities, » said Ponce. « The energy and engagement of the students, families, and speakers were incredible, fostering a space of learning, empowerment, and possibilities. »
During the forum, a two-hour workshop brought together scientists, nonprofit foundations, and business leaders to discuss concrete proposals for creating opportunities for young talents. In this workshop, they had the chance to share ideas with one another. Key ideas and takeaways from the workshop included developing strategic programs to connect young talented students with mentors from diverse backgrounds who can serve as role models, better utilizing existing programs supporting underserved populations, disseminating information about these programs, ideas for improving financial support for students pursuing education, and fostering extended collaborations among the three groups involved in the workshop.
Maria Angélica Cuellar, CEO of Incontact Group and BTO organizer, stated: « The event was absolutely spectacular and exceeded our expectations. We not only brought together leaders with a global impact in STEAM and business fields, but we also secured financial commitments to support young talents. Through media coverage and streaming, our message reached every corner of the world, especially Latin America and the United States. I am deeply grateful for the commitment of every speaker and for the path now open to transforming this dream of connecting stakeholders into tangible results and actions. An exciting challenge lies ahead, pushing us to work even harder to create opportunities for these talented young individuals. »
« Bridging Talents and Opportunities was a unique event that brought together students, parents, faculty, and leaders from different fields in a welcoming and inspiring environment, » said Sebastián Ruiz Lopera, a PhD student in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and organizer. « Every speaker, panelist, and participant shared a story of resilience and passion that will motivate the next generation of young talents from underserved backgrounds to become the new leaders and stakeholders. »
The BTO 2024 forum was made possible with support from the MIT Latinx Graduate Student Association, the Laboratory for Nuclear Science, the MIT MLK Scholars Program, the Institute Community and Equity Office, the School of Science, the U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Florida, CHN, JGMA Architects, Berklee College of Music, and the Harvard Colombian Student Society.
