Citi, Aston Martin Formula One Team Are Empowering HBCUs, Underserved Communities With STEM Opportunities

Citigroup and Aston Martin F1 are working to empower HBCUs, black, and underserved communities with career opportunities.

HOUSTON — Formula One (F1) is a dominant sport worldwide.  Many are familiar with legendary Formula One drivers Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Michael Schumacher, and current world champion Max Verstappen.  Despite his tremendous success as a seven-time world champion, few realize Sir Lewis Hamilton is black.

Moreover, a host of Americans, especially HBCU and minority students, are unaware of the sport's economic impact and the multitude of career opportunities exist in Formula One.  In an effort to bridge that gap, Citi and the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team hopes to connect young blacks and minorities to the sport with a series of panel discussions by F1 leaders and sponsors.

Citi is committed to supporting the advancement of HBCUs and helping students looking to pursue STEM careers," Chaundra Tatum, Director at Citigroup, told HBCU Legends.  "Through our collaboration with Aston Martin F1 on the Make a Mark Conversation Series, we intend to share inside perspectives on business, engineering, and technology investments.  HBCUs play a crucial role in the US education system, and their efforts to serve systematically excluded communities and address racism make them critical institutions.  By exploring parallels between motorsport and university efforts to drive change, this event is a step towards increasing visibility for underserved communities and opening a pathway to a STEM-focused motorsport career."

On October 20-22, 2023, world-class drivers showcased their talents at the Formula 1 Lenovo US Grand Prix.  Before the event, Citi partnered with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team for the "Make A Mark Conversation" series held at the University of Texas.  The goal is to "inspire, empower, and open up technology and STEM for black and underserved communities."

Students from Texas Southern University, an HBCU in Houston, Texas, and the University of Texas were invited to be audience members during the panel discussions.  Members of the panels included Chaundra Tatum (Citigroup), Rob Bloom (Aston Martin F1 Team), Shameka Young (Cognizant), Drew Simonis (Juniper Networks), David Villa Clarke (Aleto Foundation), Jessica Hawkins (Aston Martin F1 Driver Ambassador), and Kevin Ellerbrock (Cognizant).

Chaundra Tatum

Director at Citigroup, - Global Head of the Global Compute Product and Project Management Organization within the Compute Services.

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Shameka Young

VP & Global Head, Diversity & Inclusion at Cognizant

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Rob Bloom

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team (AMF1) – Chief Marketing Officer

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Jessica Hawkins

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team (AMF1) Driver Ambassador

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David Villa Clarke BEM, MBA

Aleto Foundation, CEO & Director of DVC Wealth Management Ltd.

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Drew Simonis

Juniper Networks, Chief Information Security Officer

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Kevin Ellerbrock

Cognizant, Director of Campus Recruiting and Early Talent ID

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"The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team is dedicated to making a positive impact on communities by creating experiences like our Make a Mark event at The University of Texas during the Austin GP week, " Rob Bloom, Chief Marketing Officer, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team said.   "Together with our partners, including Cognizant, Juniper Networks, and Citi, we are delighted to educate and inspire through the powerful platform of Formula 1 to send the positive message that F1 is a sport for all.  Equally significant, these events provide our team colleagues with invaluable learning opportunities.  This two-way learning experience ultimately enhances the value that sport can provide through bringing us together."

The potential of Formula One and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) working together is vastly unexplored. Formula One is creating ways to tap into the talent pool that HBCUs could provide for the sport and its associated industries.

Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver Sebastian Vettel (5) of Team Germany during the running of the U.S. Grand Prix F1 race at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

"How can Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team inspire, empower and open up technology and STEM for black and underserved communities – what does it take to be successful?

"8% of employees in tech are black, and that figure dwindles down in Formula One," David Villa Clarke noted to Sean O'Neill, the President of Motorsport Culture Collective.  A few years ago, NASCAR had the same problem attracting blacks and minorities to their racetracks and events.  What worked is a similar approach F1 could deploy in its talent acquisition strategy.

1. Build relationships with brand ambassadors and famous athletes in sports and entertainment.
2. Career fairs at HBCUs and institutions with high minority student bases.
3. Marketing and ads into the minority communities.
4. Grassroots events catering to young minority school students.

"Our mission at Motorsport Culture Collective is to connect BIPOC and underrepresented groups with access to opportunities in Motorsports through art, entertainment, and education.  Events like the Make a Mark Conversation Series provide exposure, key insights, and a spark for students interested in working in motorsport and the tech industry that supports it," Sean O'Neil said.

The Motorsport Culture Collective (MCC) partners with BIPOC communities to create accessible pathways to motorsport through arts, entertainment, and education. Their mission is to create immersive lifestyle experiences that connect communities through cultural inclusion.  Expect Citi and Aston Martin Formula One® to continue to make a concerted effort to attract talent to STEM careers and one of the more thrilling sports in the world.

For more F1 coverage, check our F1Briefings and SI Racing.

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