Local organization promotes science, technology careers to minority high school students

Baltimore, Md. - gkv, a full-service integrated marketing and communications firm, was recently recognized as the Corporate Partner of the Year by Building STEPS™ (Building Science Technology and Education Partnerships, Inc.). Based in Baltimore, Md., Building STEPS is a not-for-profit organization that exposes bright, underserved high school students to science- and technology-based careers, and helps them excel in these fields where minorities are overwhelmingly under represented.

“Building STEPS is a great example of how one organization can change the lives of so many young adults right here in Baltimore,” said Roger Gray, chairman and CEO of gkv. “gkv is one of the many proud partners of this successful organization and we feel very privileged to be recognized as its most recent Corporate Partner of the Year.”

For the past decade, gkv has partnered with Building STEPS offering support through various events, internships and mentoring opportunities with students. gkv annually hosts a day-long seminar, teaching junior-level high school students about the various stages and elements that go into the creation and implementation of an advertising campaign with an emphasis on technology. In addition, gkv offers a rising senior student a summer internship opportunity each year.

“gkv has educated Baltimore-area students about various career opportunities they otherwise would not have access to,” said Debra Hettleman, Executive Director of Building STEPS. “gkv’s commitment to Building STEPS over the years has been invaluable. We are fortunate to have gkv as one of our partners.”

Building STEPS was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1995 by Matthew Weinberg, CEO of The Weinberg Group, a scientific and regulatory consulting firm. Building STEPS was relocated to Baltimore in September 1999 where a variety of corporate and institutional internship opportunities were made accessible to the students.

About gkv
gkv is a 29-year-old full-service integrated marketing communications firm specializing in helping challenger brands compete in hyper-competitive categories. With billings of more than $111 million, gkv provides a complete range of communications services including creative development, graphic design, production, media planning and buying, interactive, community relations, identity development, research, public relations, direct marketing, crisis communications and social marketing. gkv’s diverse international Client roster includes companies in travel and tourism, snacks and beverages, financial services, health industries and cause marketing. The Agency is headquartered at Tide Point, the renovated former Procter & Gamble plant in Baltimore, Md. Visit www.gkv.com or http://blog.gkv.com

About Building STEPS™
Building Science Technology and Education Partnerships Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that exposes bright, underserved high school students to science and technology-based careers, and helps them excel in these fields where minorities are overwhelmingly under represented. The multi-year program, supplementing each student’s classroom learning, includes seminars, a summer internship, college counseling and alumni services. More than 90 percent of Building STEPS^TM students have advanced to college, almost all of whom are the first to do so in their family. Visit www.buildingSTEPS.org

From left to right: Darren Myers, Production Manager/Internship Coordinator and Matthew Weinberg, CEO of The Weinberg Group, Founder of Building STEPS