Shining a Light on Black Women in STEM

Mar 2

Krystal Anderson never liked the fact that she was often the only Black female in meetings with other software engineers during her career - it’s something she was passionate about changing. At SHINE With Joy, we too believe that representation matters now more than ever. Black women have made groundbreaking contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, yet they remain underrepresented and, too often, unrecognized.

Lately we’re being reminded that that progress is rarely linear. As conversations around diversity and inclusivity face new challenges, it’s hard not to notice these headwinds seem to be gaining momentum during Black History Month—a time meant to celebrate the very voices who have often fought for positive change. But if there’s one thing history has shown us, it’s that resilience SHINES through.

Even when their names weren’t written in history books, Black women have always had a place at the forefront of innovation:

Dr. Gladys West helped develop the mathematical models that made modern GPS technology possible.
Katherine Johnson broke barriers at NASA, calculating the trajectories that sent astronauts to the moon.
Dr. Marie M. Daly was the first Black woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry, paving the way for medical advancements in heart health.
Dr. Ayanna Howard is a leading roboticist, artificial intelligence researcher, and Dean of the College of Engineering at Ohio State University, who is shaping the future of AI ethics and human-robot interaction.

Krystal was deeply passionate about breaking barriers in STEM, not just for herself but for the young women after her. This month, we honor her legacy by celebrating Black women in STEM and raising awareness to opportunities for more Black women in these fields. We remain committed to supporting them—not just in February, but every day.

Thank you for being part of this mission. Let’s keep pushing forward and creating change, with joy.

- clayton

Local Organization Spotlight

KC STEM Alliance

One local organization that SHINE With Joy is proud to work alongside is KC STEM Alliance!

The KC STEM Alliance is a collaborative network of educators, industry partners and community organizations working together to inspire an interest in and to prepare PK-12 students for success in STEM careers.

Through national best-practice programs like Project Lead The Way (in school) and FIRST Robotics (after school), students learn how to solve problems, collaborate and get prepared for the jobs of the future. Along with supporting these programs, the KC STEM Alliance serves as the backbone organization for our region’s STEM learning ecosystem and works to ensure all students can plug into high quality STEM experiences.

Learn more here - www.kcstem.org

Looking Forward

While it’s important to celebrate the achievements of Black women in STEM, we must always keep one eye on the future and creating more opportunities for the next generation. Whether you're a mentor, an educator, or just someone who wants ensure STEM opportunities are available, there are many ways to get involved right here in Kansas City!

🚀 Volunteer with FIRST Robotics
With programs for all ages, volunteering with FIRST is energizing and rewarding. No technical expertise required!

🔬 Mentor a Future STEM Leader with Project Lead The Way
Serve as a panelist or classroom speaker, mentor students as they work on capstone projects or serve as a competition judge.

📚 Encourage Young Minds with Girls in STEM
Help young women exploring STEM see the possibilities for their futures through programs designed just for them.

Creating space for Black women and girls in STEM means taking action, no matter how big or small. If you know of other programs or opportunities we should spotlight, reply to this email or reach out—we’d love to feature them in future updates!

Together, we can SHINE a light on STEM and make a lasting impact.