About
The Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program offers year-round hands-on math, science, and technology enrichment, along with Monthly Scholar Sessions that use a hands-on curriculum with small group activities. Scholars compete in annual science fairs and engineering competitions, complete mandatory hypothesis-driven or innovation projects that are displayed each year at the Science Fair, and take part in an Engineering Competition, Summer Science Institutes for elementary, middle, and high school students, and Career Day. The program also includes entrepreneurial and leadership programs, college application support, and Parent Enrichment sessions that draw on the expertise and experiences of families, with GSP parents contributing over 4000 hours in and out of the classroom each year.
• Schedule: Year-round programming with Monthly Scholar Sessions and Summer Science Institutes
The Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program helps youth of African ancestry in San Francisco Bay Area communities successfully pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering and/or math (STEM), and serve as positive role models and contributors to their communities. The program is focused on STEM and academic enrichment for Black youth in the Bay Area and provides an environment for students of African descent to build a supportive community who will leave high school college ready, STEM-competent and STEM-confident. The Greene Scholars Program was founded under the auspices of the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE) and is energized by the significant accomplishments of the legacy of Silicon Valley Engineering Council's Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Frank S. Greene, Jr.
The Greene Scholars Program transitioned to its own self-sustaining non-profit organization from a program founded by Debra Watkins under the auspices of the California Alliance of African American Educators, which she founded in 2001. When Debra established the CAAAE in 2001, she also created the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program, and in 2011 she created a school-based model of the program at the Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School in the San Francisco Bayview/Hunter's Point neighborhood. GSP has unique multi-year partnerships with high-tech corporations and active research centers established through the work of Chief Program Officer Gina Hendy.
Executive Director Jahmal Williams holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Women's Studies from the University of Michigan. Chief Program Officer Gina Hendy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Languages at UCLA. GSP Founder and Board Member Debra Watkins earned Master's degrees in Education from Stanford University and Counselor Education from San Jose State University. Secretary of the Board Dr. Ayodele Thomas is the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and is a former Executive Director of Greene Scholars from 2015–2026. The leadership team also includes Arthur Greene, MD (Board Member), Ken Crawford (Treasurer, Board Member), Taryn Grogan (Director), and Marvin Dozier (Chairperson, partial description only).
GSP benefits from funding, technical, and in-kind support by partners. Since January 2020, Executive Director Jahmal Williams has served as one of the Co-Chairs of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet of Silicon Valley, a community-based coalition that provides leadership development and training, grassroots organizing, and advocacy on issues of civil rights, racial equity, and economic justice across Santa Clara County and the region. From 2008 to 2016, Dr. Ayodele Thomas served on the Board of Directors of the Stephanie Brown Cadet Foundation, which provides scholarships to Bay Area high school graduates who excel in volunteer service.
Last updated March 22, 2026.
• Schedule: Year-round programming with Monthly Scholar Sessions and Summer Science Institutes
The Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program helps youth of African ancestry in San Francisco Bay Area communities successfully pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering and/or math (STEM), and serve as positive role models and contributors to their communities. The program is focused on STEM and academic enrichment for Black youth in the Bay Area and provides an environment for students of African descent to build a supportive community who will leave high school college ready, STEM-competent and STEM-confident. The Greene Scholars Program was founded under the auspices of the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE) and is energized by the significant accomplishments of the legacy of Silicon Valley Engineering Council's Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Frank S. Greene, Jr.
The Greene Scholars Program transitioned to its own self-sustaining non-profit organization from a program founded by Debra Watkins under the auspices of the California Alliance of African American Educators, which she founded in 2001. When Debra established the CAAAE in 2001, she also created the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program, and in 2011 she created a school-based model of the program at the Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School in the San Francisco Bayview/Hunter's Point neighborhood. GSP has unique multi-year partnerships with high-tech corporations and active research centers established through the work of Chief Program Officer Gina Hendy.
Executive Director Jahmal Williams holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Women's Studies from the University of Michigan. Chief Program Officer Gina Hendy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Languages at UCLA. GSP Founder and Board Member Debra Watkins earned Master's degrees in Education from Stanford University and Counselor Education from San Jose State University. Secretary of the Board Dr. Ayodele Thomas is the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and is a former Executive Director of Greene Scholars from 2015–2026. The leadership team also includes Arthur Greene, MD (Board Member), Ken Crawford (Treasurer, Board Member), Taryn Grogan (Director), and Marvin Dozier (Chairperson, partial description only).
GSP benefits from funding, technical, and in-kind support by partners. Since January 2020, Executive Director Jahmal Williams has served as one of the Co-Chairs of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet of Silicon Valley, a community-based coalition that provides leadership development and training, grassroots organizing, and advocacy on issues of civil rights, racial equity, and economic justice across Santa Clara County and the region. From 2008 to 2016, Dr. Ayodele Thomas served on the Board of Directors of the Stephanie Brown Cadet Foundation, which provides scholarships to Bay Area high school graduates who excel in volunteer service.
Last updated March 22, 2026.
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