Apex Systems is excited to announce our Grants for Good 2023 Q2 winner: Minorities in Cybersecurity.
Each quarter, Apex Systems’ Grants for Good program awards a nonprofit organization a $1,000 grant.
It’s an important way for our consultants, clients, and Apex to positively impact the communities where we live, serve, and work.
We are proud to announce our 2023 Q2 Grants for Good winner is Minorities in Cybersecurity (MiC).
The Awarded Organization
Minorities in Cybersecurity is a nonprofit organization that provides a community for minorities, women, and nonbinary talent working in cybersecurity.
Founded in 2019, the group’s mission is to provide knowledge, training, development, and support for their members to prepare them to become the next generation of global cybersecurity leaders.
MiC assists all levels of professionals by providing support and development that individuals can lean on as they travel their career path and reach goals. Participants enjoy leadership programming, coaching, trainings, and various other workshops and discussions.
Based in Dallas, Texas, Minorities in Cybersecurity has had members from across the United States, Africa, and Europe attend conferences and participate in programs.
MiC participants enjoy leadership programming, coaching, trainings, and workshops.
Who Nominated Them and How They Are Involved
Kelly Royster, an Apex production support engineer, nominated Minorities in Cybersecurity for the grant. The MiC community has been a saving grace in Kelly’s life and career since he joined the organization in January 2023.
“Minorities in Cybersecurity really helped me excel and grow through adversity,” Royster states. “You don’t just learn about cybersecurity. It’s more about your mental health, leadership abilities, personality, working style, and learning how to collaborate with other people.”
The leadership development programs, career mentorship, communication workshops, conferences, and overall safe space have helped increase his confidence and discernment in his life and career.
“Work is important, but having a community outside of your career helps you be stronger and make better decisions in your job,” Royster explains.
How Contributions and Volunteerism Make an Impact
In today’s evolving digital world, nonprofit challenges include financial regulations, compliance, reporting, and increased competition for donors and volunteers.
According to the Center for Association Leadership, “Nonprofits…need to contend with many challenges in 2023, including labor shortages, inflation, donor hesitancy, rising costs, cyber threats, and falling endowments.”
Nonprofit support is more important now than ever before, with philanthropy in the U.S. plummeting by $17 billion as donors dropped off in the last year. Total charitable giving in 2022 declined by 10.5% after adjusting for inflation, according to Giving USA’s annual philanthropy report.
Donations, volunteers, and grants can all help nonprofits so they can continue making a difference in the community.
In the case of MiC, this Grants for Good donation will help the nonprofit build even more future leaders and impact the lives of underrepresented cybersecurity professionals.
If you’re interested in learning more about Minorities in Cybersecurity, please visit their website, LinkedIn page, or YouTube channel.
About the Grants for Good Program
Turn your passion for a nonprofit into something more by nominating them for the Grants for Good Program. Winners receive a $1,000 grant! There are many people in your community who do important work, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to be rewarded for their service.
The process is simple—just fill out this nonprofit nomination form. It’s a rewarding way to invest your time, especially if our next grant recipient is the nonprofit you nominated!
Learn about our past Grants for Good winners here.
Interested in getting involved with organizations that invest in championing STEM leaders? Email [email protected] to connect with a STEM advocate who can help you invest in your future!
