Uniting Detroit Aims To Empower Youth Through Music and STEM (VIDEO)

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - The founders of Uniting Detroit Initiative gathered Tuesday in Campus Martius in Detroit to launch the educational program to inspire and empower children through music while emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math.

The program, launched by the Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation, looks to bring together musicians, groups, and organizations, to use web programming and social networks to use music to education to aid students as they pursue a STEM education.

"(Uniting Detroit will) help inspire our kids to better in school, to graduate, to go to college and graduate and become our future leaders," said Ed Deeb, founder of the initiative.

The initiative aims to leverage the more than 300 organizations affiliated with the Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation and its Metro Detroit Youth Day to help empower students.

"We're going to focus on leveraging technology, software and communication innovations to hep build the biggest pipeline of future scientists ever for the city of Detroit," said Bernie Rice, the initiative's liasion for the STEMnovation program.

Vicha'e Nance, who attends Renaissance Academy, performed at the event and finds music helps her concentrate.

"It is very relaxing for concentrating," said Nance.

Following the launch, work will now get underway on developing the websites and networks to reach out to students. For more information about the initiative, call (586) 393-8801.