(BLACK PR WIRE) -- ST. LOUIS & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global Leadership Forum (GLF) today announced its launch and mission at the National Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) Conference.

GLF’s objective is to create, nurture and evolve a coalition of organizations to grow a highly competent, competitive and diverse science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-educated pipeline capable of leading in the 21st century. The Forum will also serve as the collective voice and unifying force amongst the participating organizations.

With a mission to unite and empower diverse talent to enable innovation and value creation, GLF’s goals are to: (1.) Increase the modern-day skills and technology literacy of diverse students in a way that enhances their learning inside and outside of the classroom; (2.) Educate and empower diverse students and professionals to become technologically proficient innovators and entrepreneurs. The organization strives to increase the number of diverse students pursuing careers in STEM-related fields, as well as increase the capacity for educational institutions to provide world-class STEM-related professional learning opportunities.

A part of its mission, GLF will form key partnerships with other institutions and organizations, which will allow schools and the public and private sectors to join forces to improve diverse STEM students’ and professionals’ career opportunities. All GLF partners will have access to top diverse talent through GLF-sponsored programs, as well as the opportunity to increase diversity within their organizations.

Partner comments on the GLF launch and mission:

“WWT is tremendously committed to diversity and STEM endeavors, and we’re incredibly proud to partner with GLF to actively support, encourage and sustain the next generation of workplace leaders,” said David L. Steward, Chairman and Co-Founder, WWT.

“Career Communications Group’s philanthropic arm, Foundation for Education Development, Inc. (FEDI), supports Global Leadership Forum’s mission and is committed to working with GLF to transform the futures of currently underrepresented youth through STEM education and career opportunities,” said Dr. Tyrone Taborn, Publisher and CEO of Career Communications Group.

“GLF will enable our collective missions to increase the number of competitive, diverse technologists in the talent pipeline,” said Douglas Ash, ITSMF Chairperson. “Moreover, GLF’s participating organizations will promote state-of-the-art programs that will produce workforce-ready diverse talent from entry- to C-level positions in the public and private sectors and foster entrepreneurialism in technology.”

Customer testimonials regarding working with participating GLF Partners:

“We collected 212 resumes. We made 28 offers and have 18 new employees that came out of the Career Communication Group’s Black Engineer of the Year week,” said Lt. General Robert L. Van Antwerp, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Procter & Gamble is proud to be an active participant in ITSMF. The personal and professional development we get is unmatched ANYWHERE else. The Leadership Academy Program, for example, enables us to provide development opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders today – all in an environment of support and trust. The ROI for our participation makes this one of the best investments we make in people development,” said Linda W. Clement-Holmes, CIO, Global Business Services, The Procter and Gamble Company.

“It’s associations like ITSMF that help open our eyes to the capabilities of today and also the possibilities of tomorrow,” said Robert Niblock, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

“Johnson & Johnson is excited to partner with BDPA in 2015,” said Johnson & Johnson Chief Information Officer Guillermo Ardon. “As we look to accelerate innovation to better serve the more than one billion people a day who rely on Johnson & Johnson’s products, we’re excited that our partnership with BDPA will help us strengthen our talent through diversity and encourage young minds to embrace science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

“We are proud to again partner with and support BDPA. The organization’s work to ensure a diverse talent pipeline for the future and to encourage young people to explore careers in science and technology aligns with our beliefs at Lilly,” said Eli Lilly senior director Tim Coleman, “Education is so vital to creating the professionals who will contribute to the discovery of innovative medicines of the future.”

To learn more about Global Leadership Forum, its mission, partners and impact, please visit www.glfnow.org.

About GLF’s Partner Organizations

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SENIOR MANAGEMENT FORUM (ITSMF)

ITSMF is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to cultivating executive-level talent among Black Information Technology professionals. Since its inception in 1996, ITSMF has offered leadership development programs and held quarterly Symposiums focused on preparing the next generation of diverse technology leaders in the global marketplace. Today, fifty-two percent (52%) of their members are from Fortune 500 companies.

BLACK DATA PROCESSING ASSOCIATES (BDPA)

A non-profit organization of professionals working in or having an interest in the Computer Science and Information Technology fields. BDPA has a diverse representation of Information Technology professionals. Included amongst the organization's members are programmers, analysts, engineers, managers, instructors and entrepreneurs, to name a few.

CAREER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP/THE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INC.

A 501(c)3 that was founded in 1993 to promote career opportunities in engineering, science and technology to historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields through professional and career development, educational programs, awards programs and career placement opportunities.

WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY (WWT)

An award-winning systems integrator that provides innovative technology products, services and supply chain solutions to customers and suppliers around the globe. WWT brings an innovative and proven approach to how organizations discover, evaluate, architect and implement technology.