In a landmark meeting, Tyrone D. Taborn, the innovative founder of the BEYA Conference (Becoming Everything You Are) and STEM City USA Metaverse, engaged with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General CQ Brown.

The discussion focused on the upcoming BEYA Conference returning to Baltimore in February, the evolving role of the metaverse and AI in national security, and the significant BEYA Stars and Stripes mentoring program and dinner.

Taborn highlighted the BEYA Conference’s vital role in advancing diversity and excellence within STEM fields. He shared insights on how the conference and the STEM City USA Metaverse are bridging gaps in STEM education and career opportunities, especially for underrepresented groups.

A key topic was the BEYA Stars and Stripes mentoring program, an impactful initiative involving hundreds of active-duty flag officers, general officials, and Senior Executive Service (SES) members. This program is dedicated to mentoring and guiding the next generation of STEM professionals.

The annual Stars and Stripes dinner, a cornerstone of this program, fosters mentorship and networking opportunities between high-ranking military officials and young STEM talent.

Secretary Austin and General Brown expressed their support for the BEYA Conference, emphasizing its strategic relevance in the context of emerging technologies like the metaverse and AI.

They recognized the Stars and Stripes mentoring program as a critical component in developing future leaders in defense and technology.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to the success of the BEYA Conference and the Stars and Stripes mentoring program. These initiatives are seen as pivotal in shaping a diverse and technologically adept workforce, essential for national defense and security.

For more information about the BEYA Conference, the STEM City USA Metaverse, and the Stars and Stripes program, please visit www.beya.org<http://www.beya.org