Black History Month is a time to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors—trailblazers who paved the way for Black excellence in every field. It’s a celebration of resilience, innovation, and leadership. Despite obstacles, we rise, we lead, and we inspire.
Black innovators have always played a crucial role in shaping the technology that we rely on today. From groundbreaking inventions to visionary leadership, they broke barriers and redefined what was possible.
At Sherman Phoenix, social justice isn’t just a conversation—it’s our daily mission. As we approach Social Justice Day on February 20th, we reflect on our commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering economic empowerment for entrepreneurs of color. Through strategic partnerships, like our collaboration with i.c.stars, we’re providing opportunities, resources, and a supportive ecosystem for aspiring business owners.
This Black History Month, we’re honored to share the story of Marcus M. McCormick, Application Development and Release Engineer Manager at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, whose journey from an HBCU education to a thriving career in technology embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience.
Resilience is more than just overcoming obstacles—it’s about learning from the past to build a better future. Black history is filled with trailblazers like Frederick Douglass, Madam C.J. Walker, and Katherine Johnson, whose determination laid the foundation for progress. Their stories aren’t just history—they’re blueprints for innovation.
Today is #DigitalLearningDay, and at i.c.stars, we see its impact every day. For 25 years, we’ve harnessed the power of community, real-world learning, and nontraditional talent to create pathways into tech and leadership. Our "stars" bring resilience and lived experience—when given access to transformative learning and champion networks, they become unstoppable. Volunteers, employers, mentors, and funders all play a role in fueling opportunities that lead to generational wealth, leadership, and change.
“We honed in on how we could better use technology to navigate patients through our systems,” Dr. Nita Lee explained. “We even left with concrete recommendations on platforms to explore.”
In an ever-evolving philanthropic landscape, staying informed about the latest trends in giving is crucial for making a meaningful impact. As we step into 2025, i.c.stars is proud to partner with organizations that are committed to understanding and providing resources to adapt to these changes.
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past and honor those who paved the way for future generations. In this blog, one of our board members, Tiffany Dillion shares how the inspiring story of NASA’s “West Computers”—and how it has influenced their IT career.
Every day, women uplift one another to create meaningful change in STEM. On International Day of Women in STEM, we celebrate the unity, strength, and opportunities that arise when women support women.
