How GLF Is Building A Stem Future For 2050

Before a grand idea can be put into place and successfully executed, it needs a solid foundation. For Kendall Norris, CEO of Global Leadership Forum (GLF), this is a guiding principle in his leadership of the forum, which he’s headed since 2017.

The forum is the brainchild of David L. Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT), a technology solution provider with $11.2 billion in annual revenue and more than 5,000 employees. The forum’s mission is to, with the aid of its partners, inspire interest in young African-Americans in science, technology, engineering, and math as well as help older individuals obtain the education and experience necessary in these fields to advance to senior positions.

For the past year, GLF has been focused on getting its house in order.

“During my first year, we were still kind of a startup company,” said Norris, “putting things in place updating bylaws…”

Based in St. Louis, MO, GLF reached an agreement with United Way of Greater St. Louis for office space and outsourced several key functions to United Way as well. Grant writing, research, and technical support are now provided by United Way personnel.

“That’s a very big help for us,” said Norris.