PepsiCo and 21st Century Fox Announce ‘The Search for Hidden Figures’ Program

PepsiCo and 21^st Century Fox along with the New York Academy of Sciences have just announced “The Search for Hidden Figures.”

“The Search for Hidden Figures” is a new scholarship contest that has been designed to help discover the next generation of female leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (also known as STEM).

The scholarships were inspired by the upcoming highly anticipated film “Hidden Figures”, directed by Pharrell Williams, in theaters January 6. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons.

The films follows the untold story of three African-American females, Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the Space Race of the 1960’s.

The program will support emerging STEM visionaries by awarding over $200,000 in scholarships and other prizing to over 20 winners.

“PepsiCo is incredibly proud to work with 21st Century Fox and the New York Academy of Sciences to shine a light on women and girls doing outstanding but unheralded work in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Mehmood Khan, PepsiCo’s Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, Global Research and Development. “The ‘Hidden Figures’ story is being told at a time when advances in each of these fields are creating unprecedented opportunities to develop solutions for many of the world’s biggest challenges. PepsiCo is proud to actively support the discovery of STEM talent and the development of STEM skills in the workforce.”

Beginning November 14 through December 10, 2016 entries will be accepted online directly from the Search For Hidden Figures website. Semi-finalists will be selected in mid-December, and each will be asked to provide a video submission for continued consideration. Top video submissions will then be judged by a notable panel of judges that include:  Hidden Figures Producer Pharrell Williams; “Hidden Figures” Producer Donna Gigliotti; Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler; and President of the New York Academy of Sciences Ellis Rubinstein.

On January 12, 2017, two grand prizewinners will be announced. Winners will receive access to the NYAS STEM skills training materials and programs, up to $200,000 in scholarships, and a trip to the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to share the story of Katherine Johnson and her peers whose contributions have remained hidden for too long,” said Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox. “At 21CF, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire the next generation of talent to dream bigger and unlock their full potential, and through The Search for Hidden Figures contest we are excited to give young women across the country the encouragement to pursue those dreams.”

To help encourage participation, PepsiCo and 21st Century Fox will be supporting the campaign with a national TV and digital media campaign featuring the film’s lead actress, Taraji P. Henson as well as messages of encouragement from the film’s actresses and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Hidden Figures on the contest’s website. To further discussion around STEM, PepsiCo will also be launching a collection of STEM mobile and web games, quizzes and challenges for students and fans of the film to test their skills. The mobile and web games can be found at http://searchforhiddenfigures.com/stem-challenges/.

Along with the announcement of the program Hidden Figures also released a brand new trailer.

You can also pre-order the Hidden Figures: The Album that features new music by Pharrell, Janelle Monáe, Alicia Keyes, Mary J. Blige, Kim Burrell and more here! Then,  tune in tonight to the Facebook LIVE Listening Party with Pharrell and Janelle Monáe at 6:30pmPT/9:30pmET.

In celebration of Hidden Figures, celebrities and social influencers attended a screening last Wednesday for the film along with a listening party for it’s album. The gathering took place Means Street Studio in Atlanta, which was hosted by DJ Drama, Don Cannon and DJ Sense.

Plenty of familiar faces that attented the event includes Pharrell, Janelle Monáe, Usher, Ludacris, Big Krit, DC Young Fly, Jasmine Guy and many more!

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white) Actress/singer Janelle Monae take selfie with Spelman students at “Hidden Figures” Q & A Discussion at Spelman Convocation at Spelman College on November 17, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 15: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white) (L-R top) LaDahvia Fowler, Jennifer Johnson, Yolanda Davis, Denise Reece, Deborah Richardson, Jerry Volcy, Irene Johnson, Ronald Johnson, and Danille Taylor (L-R bottom) Knatokie Ford, Janelle Monae, Kasim Reed, and Monica Lindsey Ponder attend “Hidden Figures” Private Dinner with STEM Leaders at Livingston Restaurant & Bar At The Georgia Terrace Hotel on November 15, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)

The celebration for Hidden Figures continued with a private dinner STEM Leaders hosted by Janelle Monáe last Tuesday. The dinner took place in Atlanta at Livingston Resturaunt and Bar. Janelle also spoke to students at Spelman Convocation at Spelman College for special Hidden Figures Q&A on Thursday.

Don’t forget Hidden Figures comes out in select theaters Christmas Day and nationwide January 6!