One of my major lifelong goals is to promote minority involvement in STEM. African Americans and Hispanics are vastly underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This isn't just a statistic — it's something I've felt personally as a Black student navigating these spaces.
Why Representation Is So Powerful
I know firsthand how much representation matters. Seeing people who look like you succeed in a field makes you believe that there's a place for you there too. It shifts the internal question from "Can someone like me do this?" to "How do I get there?"
That's not a small thing. That's everything.
"I'm inspired by seeing people who look like me succeed in a field, and I know others are inspired by this as well."
Why the Gap Exists
The underrepresentation doesn't happen by accident. Studies have shown that twice as many African American and Hispanic students leave STEM majors compared to their white peers. The reasons are layered:
- Scarce access to high-level math and science education early on
- No support system or mentors who look like you
- Limited access to tutors and study resources
- Discrimination — subtle and overt — in academic and professional environments
- Not seeing yourself reflected in faculty, leadership, or company founders
These aren't excuses — they're obstacles. And obstacles can be overcome, especially when you know they're there.
What You Can Do Right Now
You don't have to wait until you're a senior engineer or a company founder to make a difference. Here's how to start:
1. Show up and stay.
Your presence in a STEM classroom is itself an act of representation. Every time you persist through a hard problem set, you're making it easier for the student behind you to imagine themselves doing the same.
2. Build your circle deliberately.
Seek out other minority students in STEM and build study groups. Research shows that peer support is one of the strongest predictors of whether minority students stay in STEM majors. Create the support system you wish existed.
3. Find a mentor — and become one.
Look for HBCU alumni networks, NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), or mentorship programs at your school. And once you've been in the game a while, reach back.
4. Apply to programs designed for you.
The DOE Minority Internship, HBCU-focused scholarships, the Gates Scholarship, and countless other programs exist specifically to accelerate your path. Use them unapologetically.
The Long Game
Diverse perspectives lead to better solutions. When STEM fields lack representation, the products and policies they create reflect that gap — and real people pay the price. The more of us who enter these fields, the more the field itself changes for everyone who comes after.
I want to be one of those role models. And I believe you can be too.