Dr. Valerie Camille Jones Ford, an educator with over 25 years of dedicated service, was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame on June 20, becoming only the sixth Black woman to receive the honor. The induction joins a long list of accolades, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, recognition in the U.S. Congressional Record by the late Rep. John Lewis, and multiple honors from President Barack Obama for her work advancing equity and excellence in education. As a Black female leader in STEM education , Jones Ford is committed to using her platform to inspire underrepresented students to pursue similar paths. “I’m incredibly proud to be among such amazing educators, but it lets me know there’s still work to be done as far as bringing recognition, because I know there are so many teachers of color who deserve this platform,” Jones Ford told AFROTECH™. She said that she wanted to use her platform to share her experience and to bring...

Innovative learning labs are being planted in southern underresourced cities to combat the digital divide. Ed Farm Launched in February 2020, Ed Farm, with the support of Apple and the Alabama Power Foundation, works to reach students, teachers and the workforce with the goal of establishing an epicenter for education technology, Ed Farm President Waymond Jackson told AFROTECH™ during the Future of Learning Summit 2025 on June 5. Photo Credit: Samantha Dorisca The organization initially focused on the Birmingham, AL area, launching with a partnership with Birmingham City Schools before expanding to Montgomery Public Schools and Atlanta Public Schools by 2021. Today, its efforts have scaled to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and California, per The Business Journals. The arrival of Ed Farm came just weeks before the pandemic. “We were just working with one school district, which was Birmingham City Schools. What I continue to tell my team was that we positioned to be a...

Kai Frazier took a bold leap by creating a metaverse learning platform, empowering elementary and middle schoolers as a way to invest in the future of learning. Kai XR Frazier founded Kai XR, described as a learning tool “bridging the gap between technology and access for all students,” according to its website. She became convinced that the solution lies in technology, particularly Extended Reality (XR). Frazier visited Stanford, located just 30 minutes from Oakland , CA, where she gained insights from its Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL), which, according to its website, examines the psychological and behavioral effects of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). “That’s where all of the XR technology and the research is happening,” Frazier told AFROTECH™ at ED Farm’s Future of Learning Summit 2025. Photo Credit: Kai XR Frazier has a passion for history that has translated into a background in education spanning over two decades. She began her career as a teacher...

Award-winning cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson is inspiring the next generation. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Robinson is making an imprint within his industry through his career trajectory, which includes contributions to skin care at Rhode, a lifestyle beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber that was recently acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion. “Proud day for science. Hailey, Michael @ratty Lauren @laurenratner and the entire @rhode team – Thank you for bringing us on as partners from the very beginning,” he expressed on Instagram. “While some may have experts just for marketing, you truly leaned into the science and allowed us to be part of the team. Because of you, brands have taken notice and now value the need for science-led formulations. This has been the journey of a lifetime and we are proud to be a part of it.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ron Robinson (@ronrobinsoncosmeticchemist) Partnership With Girls In STEM Beyond his work at Rhode, Robinson is...

Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson is part of the team at recently acquired beauty brand Rhode. According to Beauty Matter, Robinson has been creating top-selling skincare products for over 30 years, despite not being very familiar with the beauty industry while growing up. Initially, he aspired to become a doctor and studied biology and chemistry at Adelphi University. His plans took a pivot after he completed one year of medical school when he joined Estée Lauder as a product development manager in the Clinique division. He held that role for eight years starting in 1990, his LinkedIn mentions. “My mom was disappointed about me dropping out of med school, but she forgave me because I was a cosmetic chemist gifting her products that I made,” Robinson told Beauty Matter. “The delight and joy that she saw in getting those products and using them has been fuel for me to keep me constantly looking to develop new and exciting products that really delight consumers.” Robinson would go on to...

The 18th annual Disney Dreamer’s Academy is underway. It will bring together a diverse group of high school students from across the country for a transformational mentoring program at Walt Disney World Resort. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, “Abbott Elementary” star Tyler James Williams — joining the fun as this year’s “DREAMbassador” — helped welcome 100 high school students who are shaping the future in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to Orlando, FL. The day featured a parade at Magic Kingdom, where Williams served as the honorary grand marshal. After the parade, Williams shared that he was particularly excited to attend storytelling sessions, noting that he’s a storyteller “first and foremost.” When asked by AFROTECH™ about the impact of AI-generated content and streaming platforms on the future of storytelling, Williams said he believes technology will always play a significant role. “I think technology will always play a role,” Williams told...

Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the most recognizable figures in modern science, known for making complex astrophysical concepts accessible to the public. With a career spanning decades in academia, television, and publishing, Tyson has built a brand that extends beyond traditional science communication. His earnings come from multiple sources, including books, speaking engagements, television appearances, and his role as director of the Hayden Planetarium. But just how much has this made him? Let’s break down his financial journey before revealing his net worth . How Neil deGrasse Tyson Became a Science Icon Tyson’s passion for astrophysics began at an early age. After earning degrees from Harvard, the University of Texas at Austin, and Columbia University, he became a leading voice in the field. He gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s as the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. His ability to explain complex scientific theories in...

British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is helping the next generation pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. In 2021, Hamilton launched Mission 44, a foundation named after his race car number, dedicated to creating equal opportunities for young people worldwide. According to its website, the initiative focuses on advancing education, expanding access to STEM and motorsport careers, and empowering the next generation to reach their full potential. Initiatives include a motorsport scholarship, created in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, that connects students with industry leaders. Recipients include Gerren Ntir, who earned a bachelor’s degree in motorsport engineering and is now pursuing a master’s. He was part of the scholarship’s second cohort. “Having seen the amazing work Mission 44 has been doing throughout the past year, I knew it was something I wanted to become involved in. Now, embarking on my own journey as one of their...

University of Houston physics professor Donna Stokes has been recognized for her excellence in the field. For Stokes, her journey in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) dates back to childhood. Her passion and performance in the field led her to Southern University where she was awarded a physics scholarship and obtained a bachelor’s degree in the field by May 1988. “When people ask me how I became a physicist, I always say, a scholarship brought me to physics and my passion for science and math kept me in the field,” she said in a news release shared with AFROTECH™. Stokes furthered her education at the University of Houston obtaining a Master of Science (1995) and a Ph.D. in physics (1988). She then exemplified her commitment towards the field, wearing several hats over the years within the Department of Physics and College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ (NSM), serving as an physics faculty undergraduate academic adviser and associate dean of...

Google has allocated a grant to support artificial intelligence learning at an HBCU. The nation’s first HBCU AI Institute is coming to NC Central University. CBS17 reports the university will open the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. The groundbreaking institute aims to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and social equity, focusing on addressing systemic disparities and fostering innovation through a lens of inclusivity and diversity. “Our purpose is clear to innovate, inspire and shape the next generation of leaders in artificial intelligence,” NCCU Chancellor Karrie Dixon said, according to CBS 17. The institute is expected to benefit 200 students with mentorship and research opportunities. Additionally, it will place NCUU as “the leading hub for AI within the HBCU network, advancing diversity, inclusion and equitable representation of AI-related industries,” the school notes , according to Qcitymetro. “[This is] the first program of its...

Middle schooler Eniola Shokunbi is making a significant impact in classrooms. Shokunbi, then a fifth-grade student at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, CT, was tasked with developing a solution to address future pandemic challenges in collaboration with her classmates, Shoppe Black reports . This inspired the creation of an air filter system designed to combat COVID-19 and cold viruses within classrooms, as reported by NBC Connecticut. “The air goes through all the sides,” Shokunbi explained to NBC Connecticut. “And it comes out of the top, so it filters in and out.” Her device, which cost $60 to make, is composed of a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in North Carolina further validated the invention. “It showed that the air filter removed over 99% of viruses in the air,” Shokunbi told NBC Connecticut. “And that it was effective.” Shokunbi and her classmates installed the air filters, which have been in...

Former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe continues to champion the future of STEM. In 2020, Bowe founded LINGO, a company that offers kits allowing individuals of all ages to engage with projects that promote problem-solving and coding. The goal is to increase exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pathways. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lingo (@stemlingoco) What’s more, LINGO has been well received in the education sector and among Fortune 500 companies, its LinkedIn notes. It is also faring well among investors, raising $2.3 million in a November 2024 round led by Pinnacle Private Ventures, according to a news release. 1863 Ventures, Sequoia Capital via the Scout program, and Dr. Joy Johnson also participated in the round. “This funding round highlights LINGO’s potential to reshape the future of STEM education,” Sean McCurry , founder of family office-owned private investment firm Pinnacle Private Ventures, said in the news release. “We...

The bright minds of Ne’Kiya Jackson and Calcea Johnson have accomplished a new feat! As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the duo made headlines in 2023 for proving the Pythagorean Theorem without circular logic. The theorem had not yet been proven by mathematicians in more than 2,000 years. “Calcea and Ne’Kiya explained it to me like this: Basically, trigonometry is based on Pythagoras’ Theorem (A^2 + B^2 = C^2, sound familiar?), so using trigonometry to prove Pythagoras’s Theorem is what’s known as circular logic,” a WWL-TV reporter said at the time. Their discovery occurred during a school math contest created by the pair’s high school math teacher, Mr. Rich, at St. Mary’s Academy, in New Orleans, LA, an academic paper states. The contest included a $500 prize. “There was a bonus question that was to create a new proof of the Pythagorean Theorem,” Johnson told PEOPLE. “Ne’Kiya and I were the only two to do the bonus question in the whole school.” They presented their results to the...

Jaylen Brown has designed courses that champion STEM education to empower students. As the founder of the 7uice Foundation, he aims to create better educational outcomes for underserved youth of color, with support from institutions, organizations, and social change leaders, its website mentions. Its four pillars include: Entrepreneurship and financial literacy Health and wellness Leadership and activism Sustainability and technology The foundation also offers a Bridge Program in partnership with MIT’s Media Lab with a four-day camp held during the summer for students in eighth through 12th grade. Brown designed a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum for the program, which includes space exploration, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence, as he revealed during a conversation on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” “I designed a curriculum over at MIT pretty much every summer… I take kids from Dorchester, from Roxbury, from underrepresented...

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) spent time at the 2024 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference in Philadelphia, PA, showcasing its initiatives aimed at engaging underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The conference — which started Sept. 15, 2024, and ends Sept. 19 — is part of an ongoing White House initiative that brings together the nation’s leading HBCU leaders to celebrate the vital role the institutions will continue to play in advancing workforce development, economic advancement, and higher education. According to NASA , one of the highlights of its participation at the event is the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC), featuring a hackathon where students will develop innovative solutions that benefit humanity. This year, the focus was on using NASA technologies to tackle common...