Meet Philana Swann: CEO & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Philana Swann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Philana, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
According to a recent census report, women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math; making up only 24% of the workforce in STEM Careers. When it comes to economic sustainability and advancement, STEAM fields create a road for teens to strive for more advanced degrees and provides future leaders of our world which in turn increases their economic power. Our girls can be the next scientists who cure diseases and create impactful technology. STEAM fields show women severely underrepresented, which leaves us with two questions that need to be answered. 1. Why is there only a 2% representation of black and brown women in science, technology, engineering, art, and math? 2. What can we do to change this narrative? Be-Ruth Foundation has taken action by empowering, engaging, and educating girls NOW to grow into smart, capable, and ambitious women who take their rightful place by dominating in the world of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. We start the process between the ages of 9-17, with the understanding that they are in the early stages of development; making them more receptive to the benefits of mentorship and career guidance. We introduce girls to an array of unlimited STEAM careers with programs that ignite creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. These initiatives include… Empowering Through Exposure, Engaging through Mentorship, and Educating in STEAM.   We are inspiring teens early and showing them their worth.    

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Be-Ruth Foundation is a 501c3 social impact organization for pre-teens and teen girls ages 9-17 with the understanding that they are in their early stages of development at this age and are more receptive to the benefits of mentorship and career guidance. Our mission is to uplift and build teens and empower them to increase their knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). Our program model focuses on multi-dimensional wellness to include: social, emotional, physical, intellectual occupational and so much more while strengthening their self-esteem and self awareness. Acknowledging the impact that individual wellness has on academic and professional performance, we developed a program model that is designed to build interest in STEAM occupations, promote a healthy lifestyle and strengthen self-esteem and self-awareness. We are most excited and proud to Empower girls with real STEAM enrichment programs and Implement programs that are sound, standards based, project-based, requires critical thinking and it’s activities that they love and want to do!! It took lots of focus, consistency and dedication to get to this point where we are today and there’s still more work to do!! There were times where I wanted to quit but always received a reminder that quitting wasn’t an option. I understood that nothing worth having comes easy and I made the decision to keep going. Our name, Be-Ruth, encourages girls to seek and embrace new opportunities, in spite of apprehension and challenges. Our logo incorporates a butterfly, signifying physical, mental, and emotional transformation. The wings are made up of beautiful colors that represent all of the adversity that I experienced throughout my journey- Verbal Abuse, Physical Abuse, Mental Abuse and Sexual Abuse–All of which make up colors in my butterfly!! Those obstacles became my opportunity to be the woman that I needed as a little girl to all the young ladies that I work with today and show them how to be overcomers and SOAR!! We believe that motivating our girls to have strong character, physical health, and mental fortitude will serve as a springboard, launching their confidence and fostering their gifts and talents to transcend the societal ceilings in the area of STEAM!!! STEM careers provide the future leaders of our world with not only money, but also power. Girls—especially young women of color—can and should be the next scientists who cure diseases, explore space, and create impactful technology. With the tremendous inequity that black and brown girls face in STEAM, we are dedicated to inspire them early and show them their worth by providing them with all of the encouragement, mentoring and tools needed thrive!!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shout out to my core group of ladies that have been down in the trenches with me to help make our sessions, events and activities a huge success. I also want to dedicate this to my members, parents, community partners and sponsors because without their support we wouldn’t be able to do the things that we do!!!

Website: www.be-ruth.org
Instagram: beruth_steam
Linkedin: Be-Ruth Foundation
Facebook: BeRuthfoundation