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69�� African American Network members recently participated in the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering’s BEYA Ready event. Designed to prepare 30 top engineering students for the BEYA (Black Engineer of the Year) STEM conference in Washington, D.C. Jeremy Reedus and Cherie Laguerre, along with a team of volunteers from LyondellBasell, critiqued the students' resumes and elevator speeches, and engaged in mock interviews.

The students are participants in the engineering college's Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES). Pronounced "promise," PROMES provides engineering students with recruitment, academic advising, workshops, scholarships, and professional and personal development opportunities. 

Reedus and Laguerre volunteered because they wanted to renew the engagement ALAAN established with PROMES prior to COVID. 

“The majority of the PROMES students are minority, and we want to remind them that 69��’s African American affinity group supports them, and we want them to consider 69�� as they prepare for their future after graduation,” said Reedus, who serves as secretary on the ALAAN board.

“The LyondellBasell name may have been on the event, but 69�� stole the show, with our personalities and advice,” Reedus said with a grin. He hopes to have a larger ALAAN presence at the next PROMES event.

Sounds like there may be some friendly competition between 69�� and LyondellBasell in the works!