The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) was created by the National Science Foundation in 1991 to build the next generation of STEM students.  The LSAMP program is named after former Cleveland, Ohio US Rep. Louis Stokes. Mr. Stokes spent his time in the United States Congress fighting for civil rights, equality, and social and economic justice.   The LSAMP program is designed to increase minority student representation of students seeking and receiving baccalaureate degrees in STEM disciplines.  Subsequently, LSAMP programs may increase the number of minority students entering graduate school and obtain doctoral degrees in STEM fields.