Earlier this year, for Black History Month and Women’s History Month, we did a series of sessions with Frontlines Toronto Community Centre as a part of their Roots & STEM program, aimed at helping Black youth understand their place in STEM.

During the sessions, our Founder, D’Andre Wilson-Ihejirika, and Lead Ambassador, Somto Ibe, lead a group of youth through activities that taught them about chemical engineering. They learned about the process for soap and shampoo making, and learned about a key figure in Black and Women’s History, Madam CJ Walker. Madam CJ Walker is credited as one of the first self-made female millionaires in North America for her company making hair care products targeted at Black Women.

We also did a session on empowering girls in STEM and spoke with community leaders on ways to increase Diversity in Design and encourage minority women especially to pursue STEM fields.

The sessions helped to highlight why #RepresentationMatters and that Black people have been making impacts in STEM for many years, and continue to do so today. #BlackLivesMatter