Black Women of STEM: How four entrepreneurs are changing science, technology, engineering and math
By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
[email protected]
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers are among the highest-paying and fastest-growing occupations in the labor market. In 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual salary across all STEM occupations was $95,420, compared to $40,120 for non-STEM occupations.
But the STEM workforce is predominantly male and white. Women and people of color have struggled for fair representation and opportunity in STEM industries over the decades.
According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), although women make up 51% of the US population, only 35% of the STEM workforce is female.
For women of color, the number is even lower, with black women making up just 1.6% of the country’s scientists and engineers.
Civic leader Tyrone Taborn is the founder of Career Communication Group, which helps global businesses and governments locate, develop and retain STEM minorities. The company publishes “The Women of Color Magazine” and the “US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine” annually. Each year, Taborn’s organization rewards top black female STEM contributors with “Women of Color” awards that highlight different scientists, tech innovators, engineers, and mathematicians.
He said that to increase women’s representation in STEM, society must build young women’s confidence in math and science, improve education for women in STEM, and intentionally attract, recruit and retain women in science. STEM sectors.
“This lack of diversity in STEM has real consequences for all of us. That means we’re not tapping into the full range of talent and perspectives we need to solve the complex challenges facing our society, from climate change to healthcare to cybersecurity. It also means we are leaving a huge reservoir of potential innovation and economic growth untapped,” Taborn said.
“That’s why it’s so important that we create more opportunities for women in STEM, from early education to career advancement.”
In honor of AFRO’s special edition for Women’s History Month, he identified four award-winning women of color who have made notable waves and contributions in STEM fields.
Denise Gray
Denise Gray is the president of LG Energy Solution Michigan Tech Center. As part of her role, she designs batteries that power electric vehicles. (Courtesy of LinkedIn)
The Michigan native is the president of LG Energy Solution Michigan Tech Center, the North American subsidiary of LG, a chemical company based in South Korea. In his role, Gray designs and produces batteries that help power electric vehicles. In 2017, she was named Women of Color Technologist of the Year. In 2022, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for her leadership in the development and production of electronic controls and battery systems for electrified passenger car propulsion systems. Its goals include increasing the adoption of electric vehicles and the number of people pursuing engineering and technology jobs in the United States.
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Norma B. Clayton
Norma B. Clayton is the former Vice President of Learning, Training and Development at The Boeing Company. She has transformed manufacturing processes and supply chain management in the aerospace industries. (Courtesy of Tuskegee University)
Now retired from The Boeing Company, Clayton was the 2009 Women of Color Technologist of the Year. manufacturing, operations and optimization of factories, supply chain and procurement. In 2022, after retiring as Vice President for Learning, Training and Development from The Boeing Company, Clayton was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering for re-engineering manufacturing processes and management of the supply chain. She has also been recognized for creating innovative training programs in commercial aerospace industries.
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Mei Cai is the Director of Battery Cell Systems Research for General Motors Chemical and Materials Systems Laboratory. It has developed cutting-edge technology to discover battery materials and advance battery cell manufacturing. (Courtesy Asian American Engineer of the Year)
Mei Cai
As Director of Battery Cell Systems Research for General Motors Chemical and Materials Systems Laboratory, Cai spearheaded breakthrough innovations that advanced battery materials discovery and streamlined battery cell manufacturing. The Beijing native was also instrumental in the development of General Motors’ Ultium battery cells, which support electric vehicles. In 2021, Cai was named Women of Color Technologist of the Year 2021.
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Delia Grenville is Director of Business and Operating Environment, Manufacturing Materials and Supply Chain for Intel Corporation. She invented and patented five digital content technologies. (Courtesy of LinkedIn)
Delia Grenville
A research scientist and technology strategist, Grenville is Director of Business and Operational Environment, Manufacturing Materials and Supply Chain for Intel Corporation. During his career, Grenville invented five digital content technologies, most of which use the Internet to help people filter the content playing on their televisions. In 2015, Grenville won the Women of Color Technologist of the Year award.
Megan Sayles is a member of Report for America Corps.
