Participants learned problem solving and coding skills during critical evening hours and prizes and an e-sports scholarship were awarded.
The Bruh Got Game (BGG) Foundation teamed up with STL.works, the Regional Business Council and the Legacy Center for a special Gaming Experience event from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1., at the Legacy Center in Normandy (6850 Normandale Dr.). BGG, which empowers disadvantaged youth through gaming, provided the newest gaming equipment for participants, including everything from PlayStation5, Xbox One to Nintendo Switch and PSVR. The event at the Legacy Center featured tournaments, giveaways, and lessons on the culture of gaming. In addition, a $2,000 e-sports scholarship was awarded to the top player. For more information, or to register for the next event, please visit www.STL.works. There is no cost to participate and gaming equipment will be provided.
“The event is an opportunity to provide mentorship during critical evening hours as well as a chance for students to explore gaming and e-sports scholarship opportunities,” said Dr. Art McCoy, champion and leader of STL.works. “Throughout the evening, these youth are exposed to critical soft power skills that are essential in the workforce environment including strategic thinking, communication and problem solving. They also have the opportunity to learn more about coding, coding animation and so much more.” Founded by Robert Powell, III, a graduate of the St. Louis Public Schools system, BGG’s mission is to utilize gaming to encourage students to continue on to higher education. Powell, who previously worked in management for Sony PlayStation, created his nonprofit after experiencing community service days at the company. With more than 30 years of work experience behind him, Powell is helping area students find their pathway through mentorship, skill development and career planning.
The event Sept. 1 will be held at the Legacy Center, an incubator and hub located in North St. Louis County. A $1.4 million RBC grant from the Community Impact Network supports the expansion of the center’s behavioral health services, academic tutoring and workforce training programs throughout the Normandy Schools Collaborative District and beyond.
STL.works – the only workforce development collaborative of its size in the region – continues to address the skilled labor shortage by connecting students and individuals with jobs that do not require bachelor degrees within five main industries: Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, Technology, Trades and Public Safety. An initiative of the Regional Business Council launched in the fall of 2019, it is supported by a collaborative ecosystem of more than 100 industry partners, including employers, nonprofits, educators and a robust web portal which, in unison, provides access to employment, education, training and support services and creates a pipeline for talent, resulting in a more diversified workforce.
The Regional Business Council (RBC): The Regional Business Council is a consortium of more than 100 presidents and representing more than 100 of the region’s largest companies located throughout the 16-county bi-state region, employing more than 200,000 people and generating more than $65 billion in annual revenue. This coalition is essential to enhancing the well-being and vitality of the region because its members have a tremendous impact on the economic health of the region. The mission of the RBC is to unite and engage members to act on high-impact business, civic and philanthropic affairs for the betterment of the St. Louis region. The RBC’s 2021 key areas of focus include Talent & Workforce Development, Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Public Policy, K-12 Education, and Quality of Life. www.stlrbc.org.
BGG Foundation: Founded by Robert Powell III, BGG is dedicated to empowering socioeconomically disadvantaged youth by utilizing gaming to lead them to higher education.
