AWS Summit Washington, DC Delivers Life-Changing Opportunities
The AWS Summit in Washington, DC, held on June 10, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, transformed into more than just a tech conference. The event surprised 22 graduates of Northern Virginia Community College’s AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA) program with full-time job offers from Amazon and its partners. This emotional highlight of the event marked a significant moment for the graduates, who now have access to technical careers with salaries that can significantly improve their families’ financial futures.
Shakyra Hill, an I2PA graduate, expressed her excitement, saying, “This is a very happy moment for me. I feel amazing, especially as a woman… I feel like more women should definitely come in and try it out.” The program was introduced to her through her mother and brother, and she knew she wanted to be a part of it after seeing their experiences.
Backpack Initiative for Local Students
In another community-focused initiative during the Summit, attendees participated in a backpack assembly project. Together, they packed over 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for Prince William County students. This effort was conducted in partnership with the Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) as part of the official 2025 Back-to-School Community Event. Dr. Vanessa M. Gattis, CEO and founder of PWCCF, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “Parents spend over $500 preparing their kids to go back to school, so the backpack packing initiative really helps them with essential supply costs.”
Expanding STEM Education in Communities
Amazon has been actively expanding STEM education across various communities. In Hayward, California, Amazon partnered with Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) and iDTech to host a Spring Break STEM Camp. The camp provided 40 students aged 7-17 from underserved communities with hands-on learning experiences in technology, including VR game design, coding, and 3D printing.
A 9-year-old participant named Maya shared her experience from the VR Game Design course, saying, “This program helped me discover my passion for technology, gave me confidence in my abilities, and made me excited about all the possibilities in AI and robotics.” The success of this partnership has led to discussions about expanding technology education initiatives in Hayward.
Enhancing STEM Access in Loudoun County
In Loudoun County, Virginia, Amazon, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), and the Loudoun Education Foundation (LEF) celebrated the opening of four new Amazon Think Big Corners in elementary schools. These learning spaces are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including 3D printers, to foster creativity and build technical skills among young learners.
Additionally, Amazon introduced the Think Big Mobile Van, which will travel throughout Northern Virginia, bringing STEM education to a broader range of students. This initiative builds upon the success of the Amazon Think Big Space launched at Simpson Middle School in Leesburg, VA, in 2022.
These community initiatives demonstrate Amazon’s commitment to creating technical careers, supporting education, and fostering nonprofit partnerships across different regions.
