Dr. Lataisia C. Jones
Neuroscientist, Ethics Fellow at the American Society for Microbiology and S.T.E.M. Consultant
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Not for the Weak!"
Meet the Founder
I created S.T.E.M.ING WHILE BLACK to provide current women and men of color; especially those within S.T.E.M. academic programs and careers, with guidance and a mentoring network that may assist with the most challenging moments of their S.T.E.M. development and journey. Our mentors are UNAPOLOGETICALLY BLACK, UNAPOLOGETICALLY BOLD, and HERE TO SERVE YOU! They are in various S.T.E.M. careers and academic programs and at various stages in their S.T.E.M. journeys. What brings us all together is the common agreement that diversity is crucial for S.T.E.M. success.
Creator, Dr. Lataisia C. Jones
​
HOSTS
S.T.E.M.ING WHILE BLACK is very excited to have two phenomenal hosts.
Janay White is an Assistant Professor in Social Work, community engagement consultant, public speaker, visionary and the Founder of Girls 2 D.I.V.A.S. Mentoring Program, Inc.
Dr. Atum Boukman is a passionate farmer, academic advisor, auricular acupunturist healer and research coordinator.
Our S.T.E.M. WHILE BLACK Ambassadors
Kory Burns
Ph.D. Student at the University of Florida
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is inspirational."
Lateakwa C. Jones, M.S.
Cyber Threat Analyst
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Underrated."
Dr. Nathan A. Smith
Neuroscientist and Assistant Professor
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Underrated."
Dr. Danielle Twum
Cancer Immunologist
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Challenging but Doable!
Tishawn D. Gaynor, M.S.
Aerospace Engineer
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Empowering!"
Dr. Heather Carryl
Neuroscientist
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Fulfilling!"
Elam Cutts
Post-Baccalaureate NIH Prep Scholar
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Possible, Attainable and We Shouldn't Let Other People Tell Us Otherwise."
Shakiylah Huggins
Mathematician and Doctoral Student
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Necessary!"
Dr. Adam Woods
Material Scientist
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Expressing Yourself!"
Dr. Joyonna Gamble-George
Neuroscientist and AAAS STP Fellow
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Having Determination and passion to Succeed and Thrive!"
Maynard Okereke
Civil/Environmental Engineer & Science Educator
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is a Dynamic Experience!"
​
Aisha Lawrey
Electrical Engineer and Senior Director at NACME, Inc.
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Exhausting!"
Nicole Jackson
Chief Technology Officer
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Creating!"
Dr. Siobahn Day Grady
Computer Scientist and Assistant Professor
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Amazing!"
Dr. Adrienne Stephenson
Neuropharmacologist and Assistant Dean in the Graduate School at Florida State University
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Representation!"
Dr. Jaye Gardiner
Cancer Biologist
​
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is an Experience!"
Dr. Joseph Waters
Material Scientist Engineer
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is to Break the Society Mold, While Setting Your Mind and Thoughts Free to Honor the Ancestors"
Jazmine I. Benjamin
Ph.D. Student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
"S.T.E.M.ing While Black is Lit!"
Change Begins With A Conversation
Reviews
"It's amazing to see so many Black scholars together to have a conversation."
-KG
"I truly believe that everyone on the panel being open and willing to share their stories and experiences has helped me learn so much so quickly. I enjoyed the willingness of everyone on the panel to share potentially triggering stories in order to educate those of us who have never had to go through such experiences."
​
- ZP
"I am white woman and I love hearing from so many Black scholars across many different fields and career stages. It's refreshing to see all the faces in the Zoom call, which looks very different from most of the meetings I'm in. It's also so important to demonstrate that those who STEM while Black are not a monolith--there are differences of opinion between Black scientists. This makes the shared experiences and commonalities all the more powerful. Everyone is so thoughtful, open, and welcoming. I'm sure it's not easy to talk about some of the topics that arise, and I really appreciate the candor. The mental health corner is also awesome!"
​
- MH
"Continuously adapting and evolving the community and value of this shared time, space, and energy. Love the accessibility pivots and being mindful of universal design of the event."
​
- LW
​
"ALL BLACK PANEL!! It is REVOLUTIONARY. Good that the talks are not too frequent. I like how the comments section is open to all (I like to be able to respond to panel's words with real time affirmations). Allowing people to go in depth, not too rushed. Great team!!"
- PG
​