Full Breakdown
40th Anniversary of the BEYA STEM Conference: A Celebration of Diversity and Innovation
1/30/2026, 12:22:53 PM
Overview of the Conference
The Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference is set to take place at the Baltimore Convention Center from February 12-14, marking its 40th anniversary. This event aims to provide workforce development, educational, and networking opportunities for professionals, business leaders, military officials, industry experts, and students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The conference will feature a digital twin experience, allowing participants to attend either virtually or in person.
Focus on Workforce Development
Tyrone Taborn, founder of BEYA and CEO of Career Communications Group (CCG), has emphasized the conference's renewed focus on three critical areas of workforce training: artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. According to Taborn, these fields will experience significant workforce demand across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and the military. To adapt to these evolving labor needs, a workforce development committee has been established to enhance the conference's programming, emphasizing certification and practical training.
Historical Context and Impact
The BEYA conference originated in 1987, initiated by Taborn and Eugene Deloach, who sought to address the underrepresentation of Black students in STEM programs. Their goal was to increase the number of engineering programs at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and ensure career pathways for students, as STEM recruiters often targeted predominantly White institutions. Morgan State University (MSU) has been a longstanding supporter of the conference, which has evolved into a platform that reflects the excellence of Black innovators while advocating for greater institutional support.
Challenges Faced
Despite its successes, BEYA has encountered significant challenges, particularly in recent years. The withdrawal of military branches from the conference's career fair, following an executive order by the 47th president that abolished equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in the military, has adversely affected the event. This, combined with broader corporate pullbacks, has resulted in a financial loss exceeding $3 million for CCG in 2025, prompting considerations for staff reductions of up to 60%.
Official Statements & Responses
In light of these challenges, Taborn remains optimistic about the future of the conference and his organization. He stated, “The future continues... As we regroup and pivot, building up our other products such as STEM City USA and our unbelievable AI certification and training will be the areas where we move forward until this turns around.” David K. Wilson, president of MSU, highlighted BEYA's enduring mission: “For 40 years, the BEYA STEM Conference has stood as both a mirror and a mandate—reflecting the extraordinary excellence of Black innovators while challenging institutions and industries to do more to cultivate, support and sustain talent.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have elevated and refocused all of our attention to three areas in workforce training: artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity,” — Tyrone Taborn, Founder of BEYA
- “We have a strong community, and people are still contributing.” — Tyrone Taborn, Founder of BEYA
- “From the earliest collaborations with HBCUs to its global reputation today, BEYA has demonstrated that excellence in STEM is inseparable from responsibility,” — David K. Wilson, President of MSU
As the BEYA STEM Conference celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to serve as a vital platform for promoting diversity and innovation in STEM fields, despite facing significant challenges.
