Celebrating UK Black History Month as a Black STEM Influencer

“Numba, you are standing on the shoulders of your ancestors.” My Pa (Grandfather) always used to say that to me. Honestly, I don’t think I truly understood the weight of it when I was younger. “Okay Pa” was my usual response before we’d go back to playing on his laptop or watching Star Wars. Today, the statement has a whole new meaning. Pa wanted me to remember where I came from and to keep those who struggled for me to be where I am today in mind. To think of those who paved the way, the movers and shakers that allowed me to be a black Bermudian woman studying in London. From my Grandpa, the late Kenyetta Young, a proud trade unionist who was never afraid to fight for his people, to my mom, Angela Young, a brilliant woman with a plethora of talents, love, and support for me. A true bad Mama Jamma! And of course, I would be remiss to not mention my Great Aunt Joan Dillas-Wright. She is the current President of the Senate and has been influential in and shaped not only my life but also the lives of countless black women both in Bermuda and abroad.

This Black History Month, I want to celebrate some of the incredible minds that came before me while highlighting those who continue to be torchbearers today. Because I grew up in Bermuda, where Black History Month was always in February, I am excited to celebrate what I am calling the UK edition. That way I can celebrate again in February 😊

Today’s blog post is a quick sneak peek into my plans for Kameron’s Lab this month and what you can look forward to. Of course, if you have any suggestions or want to share how you will be celebrating Black History Month please leave a comment at the end.

Black Tech Fest 2023

This tech festival is the largest event of its kind in Europe with three days of both virtual and in-person events. It will be my first year attending and I am really excited! There will be a lot of great speakers such as Jackie Aina, Adrian Joseph OBE, and Pamela Maynard to name a few. If you are a student and looking for a conference to try, this is it! The tickets are free and the event will be both online and in-person. No excuses! You can use this link to get your tickets today.

https://www.blacktechfest.com/tickets

Of course, I will be doing a review of the conference so look forward to that too. I hope to see you there!

Daily Showcases

Each day this month, I want to showcase an influential black leader in STEM, both well-known and less known. This is truly the best time to learn more about our history and who some of the torchbearers are. I believe in the importance of mentors and role models as so many people supported me along my journey. And who better to look up to than the mathematician who led us to the moon and back, the creator of the world’s first intelligent gaming robot, the inventor of the home security system, and more. Stay tuned on my Instagram and TikTok to see if you recognize any of them.

Continuing the Dive In Interview Series

Don’t worry, the Dive In series is still going strong! I have some thrilling interviews lined up and I cannot wait to share them with you. I won’t say who they are yet, but let’s just say you can think of them as the Jedi Masters of STEM. Coming to a galaxy near you soon!