How 5 entrepreneurs will use Amazon Business’ first-ever Small Business Grants to make a difference in their communities

Finalist: Nikisha Alcindor, founder of STEM Educational Institute

The STEM Educational Institute, founded by Nikisha Alcindor, provides programming that gives underrepresented high school students throughout New York City the technological skills they need to enter today’s workforce. The institute will use its $20,000 grant to build out its learning module system and increase access to coding, financial literacy, and mental health services—along with supporting additional student scholarships.

“Every day, thousands of under-resourced students receive inadequate STEM education, financial literacy, and mental health resources,” said Alcindor. “As a finalist of the Amazon Business Small Business Grant, the STEM Educational Institute will be able to provide valuable resources for youth to have a brighter future and become the future pipeline of diverse business leaders.”