Global Companies Partner with Correlation One to Increase Diversity in the Data & AI Jobs of the Future

Data Science for All (DS4A)/ Empowerment Training Program Aims to Train 10,000 People

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Dec 01, 2020, 11:24 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Correlation One, a data analytics training and assessments technology company, today announced the first group of global companies who have pledged their support of the "Data Science for All (DS4A)/ Empowerment'' program, a virtual data analytics training and jobs program made available for free to U.S. students and professionals from underrepresented communities, including Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, women, and U.S. military veterans.

Every applicant we interviewed for DS4A / Empowerment had a unique and compelling story to tell - we're honored to share them with you here.

Natesh Pillai, Chief-Scientist at Correlation One & Professor of Statistics at Harvard University, is the lead instructor for DS4A/ Empowerment.

Data Science for All (DS4A)/ Empowerment is a virtual data analytics training and jobs program made available for free to U.S. students and professionals from underrepresented communities.

By sponsoring DS4A/ Empowerment, companies create fellowships that allow participants to partake at no cost and offer invaluable mentorship opportunities. Correlation One and the program sponsors together have the goal of training 10,000 people over the next three years.

The program sponsors include: Anaplan, Match Group, Citadel and Citadel Securities, Point72 Asset Management, Two Sigma, Marshall Wace, IHS Markit, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead Sciences, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Senior executives from these organizations have endorsed this program:

"Supporting Correlation One is aligned with our values as a company. We must stay laser-focused on tearing down systemic barriers for communities of color. Education is an important first step, but so is providing job skills training that enables people to lift themselves up," said Frank Calderoni, Chief Executive Officer, Anaplan. "In addition, providing mentorship and empowerment are critical to helping people be successful. When one of us does better, we all do better."
"Investing in initiatives that create greater opportunities for students of all backgrounds continues to be important to us at Citadel and Citadel Securities," said Gerald Beeson, Chief Operating Officer at Citadel. "This program will empower those underrepresented in data science with the tools and confidence to help make their aspirations a reality – and will help shape the future of finance and beyond."
"Point72 is proud to partner with Correlation One on their DS4A/Empowerment to help increase diversity in the data science field," said Matthew Granade, Chief Market Intelligence Officer, Point72. "Data and AI are changing how industries operate, but ultimately these tools are only as effective as the people analyzing the numbers and building the models. We use data across our Firm and finding and training the next generation of great data scientists is critical to our success. Diversity is an integral part of that effort - our ability to succeed is dependent on people who see things other people miss and recognize developments other people do not."

More sponsor endorsements can be found at the end of this press release.

Participants in the program will receive 13 weeks of training led by an instructor team from Ivy League universities. In addition, participants will be connected with mentors from sponsoring organizations who will provide professional development and career coaching. At the end of the program, they will be connected with opportunities at leading enterprises across the business, financial services, technology, healthcare, consulting, and consumer sectors.

"Today, there is no marketplace for enterprises to find vetted, trained, job-ready, diverse talent. We are creating that marketplace, and re-imagining the education-to-jobs pathway as we do so. By training this talent in data skills and connecting them to economic opportunity, we hope to unlock diverse human potential at scale," said Sham Mustafa and Rasheed Sabar, Correlation One Co-Founders and Co-CEOs. "Our corporate partners make this program possible and in doing so, show their strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and eliminating barriers to accessing the jobs of tomorrow."

About Data Science for All (DS4A)
The Data Science for All (DS4A) initiative was launched by Correlation One to provide data and analytics training programs dedicated to advancing women and underrepresented minorities in data science, and promoting a more inclusive global AI ecosystem. DS4A/ Empowerment is the largest program launched to date.

The first DS4A/ Empowerment cohort commenced their training on October 24, 2020. Since launching applications for the first 500-person cohort in Fall 2020, DS4A/ Empowerment has seen significant traction on multiple fronts:

Over 8,300 applications were received from candidates in 48 states.
The diversity of accepted participants is robust, with 57% identifying as female, 58% black or African-American, 32% Latinx or Hispanic, and 21% identifying as LGBTQ+. In addition, the program will include members of additional underrepresented groups, including veterans, refugees, and immigrants.
The program is supported by partnerships with 30+ organizations, including the National Society of Black Engineers, HBCU Connect, The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Black Girls Code, and Hire Heroes.
Hundreds of individuals who have applied to the program attended or are currently attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with representation from over 35 HBCUs nationally.
Applicants are alumni or current students (at the undergraduate through postdoctoral level) at over 400 different universities.

Learn more about the stories of the Fellows in this program through these video testimonials: https://blog.correlation-one.com/c1insights.blog/meet-the-class-of-fall-2020-ds4a-empowerment/

For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.correlation-one.com/ds4a-empowerment

About Correlation One
Correlation One is a technology company whose mission is to create equal access to the data-driven jobs of tomorrow, and believes that data literacy is the most important skill for the future of work. The company makes data fluency a competitive edge through global data science competitions, rigorous data skills assessments, and enterprise-focused data science education.

Correlation One's solutions are used by some of the most elite employers all around the world in finance, technology, healthcare, insurance, consulting and governmental agencies. Since launching in 2015, Correlation One has built an expert community of 250,000+ data scientists and 600+ partnerships with leading universities and data science organizations in the US, UK, Canada, China, and Latin America.

https://www.correlation-one.com/about

Further endorsements for DS4A/ Empowerment

"We know that while talent is equal, opportunities are not," said Shar Dubey, CEO of Match Group. "That's why we at Match Group want to be a part of the solution and provide opportunities that will solve the pipeline problem in tech. Working with Correlation One to bring more opportunities to underrepresented groups is the first step in that direction."
"Two Sigma is proud to support Correlation One in their efforts to make data science a more accessible career path," said Todd Bucello, Head of Quantitative Research Recruiting at Two Sigma. "The combination of academic training and practical instruction in the Empowerment program is critical to developing the skillset needed, and we're optimistic programs like this will make a meaningful difference."
"Marshall Wace is proud to continue our relationship with Correlation One as we look to identify and invest in the next generation of data scientists," said a spokesperson from Marshall Wace. "Diversity of thought is key to disruption and change and we are focused on empowering students and young people to break through barriers to reach their full potential."
"We are excited to be participating in Correlation One's Data Science for All (DS4A)/ Empowerment program, which aims to address unequal access to analytical skills for minority students and professionals," said Jo Adams, VP in HR and Global Head of Academy at IHS Markit. "As an information services company, it is extremely important for us to be at the forefront of ensuring that we have diverse representation across all our colleagues! We are proud to be a sponsor of this important initiative."
"Data science is central to Gilead's work in addressing unmet medical need around the world, and we are proud to support programs that provide access, training and networking opportunities in this field to underrepresented communities," said Patrick Loerch, SVP Data Sciences and Biometrics, Gilead Sciences. "This is one step in addressing broader challenges of equity, racial justice and representation. In order to build a truly diverse culture in the future, we have to create early opportunity now – not only because it's the right thing to do, but because we know innovation can only thrive when we focus a diverse set of backgrounds, talents, cultures and voices on the challenges we face."
"Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is honored to be a partner of the Data Science for All / Empowerment program. Amid increasing demand for data science and informatics professionals in every industry, including healthcare, people of color and other minorities remain vastly underrepresented in these fields. Our mission to deliver the best possible cancer care and research depends on our ability to engage new generations of talent from every community. Increasing access to opportunities in data science, informatics, and analytics for underrepresented groups is a high priority for our department and for Dana-Farber. It is also essential for innovation, which ultimately benefits our patients," said Jason M. Johnson, Ph.D., Chief Health Information Officer and SVP of Informatics & Analytics at Dana-Farber.