Ariana Waller founded two startups:  Adoraa Company, a digital marketplace where consumers can buy and sell pre-owned cosmetics, and Wallway Technologies, a technology solutions firm on a mission to build inclusive, equitable and innovative technology for startups, businesses, and brands.  She also founded the global podcast, Women in TECH, a podcast about the latest news in tech, entrepreneurship, startups and navigating STEM fields as a woman. We had the honor of interviewing Ariana in October 2019.

Kelly McElroy is a Senior Nuclear Systems Engineer at American Electric Power where she has managed the performance of multiple high-safety significant mechanical systems among other duties.  Kelly is also the creator of the sustainabiliME podcast where each week she showcases a cool story, project, idea, etc. related to sustainability and the environment as well as one thing the average person could consider implementing in their own life. Click here to learn more about Kelly including her answers to our questions in an interview last fall.

MathematicallyGiftedAndBlack.com is an AMAZING website that highlights the contributions and lives of Black mathematicians. “To be young, gifted and black”; a common phrase used in the Black community. It comes from a song famously sung by Ms. Nina Simone and co-written by Weldon Irvine. In December 2016, Erica Graham, Raegan Higgins, Shelby Wilson, and Candice Price had a conference call discussing the creation of a website that would highlight the contributions and lives of Black mathematicians. Inspired by the work of Lathisms and emboldened by the film Hidden Figures, they created the website “Mathematically Gifted and Black”. The name not only pays homage to the song so well known and loved within the Black community but is itself a tribute to those whose story may have never been told.

The IF/THEN^® Collection is the largest free resource of its kind dedicated to increasing access to authentic and relatable images of real women in STEM.

FabFems are women from a broad range of professions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). They are passionate, collaborative, and work to make the world a better place. The FabFems directory is an international database of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions who are inspiring role models for young women. The FabFems directory is accessible to young women, girl-serving STEM programs, and other organizations that are working to increase career awareness and interest in STEM.

The Request a Woman Scientist database was created by the grassroots organization, 500 Women Scientists.  The platform connects their extensive multidisciplinary network of vetted women in science with anyone who needs to consult a scientist for a news story, invite a keynote speaker or panelist for a conference or workshop, find a woman scientist to collaborate on a project, or serve as a subject matter expert in any capacity. Importantly, 500 Women Scientists is committed to diversity and inclusion, not just in our scientific fields, but in our society as a whole.

100 inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America, showcase 100 of the most inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists working in the United States. This list—selected based on scholarly achievements, mentoring excellence, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—represents only a subset of the scientific role models in the community. We highlight scientists encompassing careers within academia, government, and biotech and showcase individuals committed to serving diverse student populations at Hispanic-serving institutions. Although we understand this list is not fully representative of the Hispanic/Latinx scientific community, we hope it will help to change the perception of what a scientist looks like and makes our collective image more representative of society at large.

These 136 Black Innovators in STEM + Arts identified by Wonder Woman Tech come from different parts of the world, various industries and all have a unique perspective on how we can work together to share ideas, cultivate belonging and propel change. For generations, Black voices and influencers have been suppressed and overlooked. Black people and Black communities are constantly fighting for an end to racial, social, and economic oppression. It is the responsibility of non-Black communities to hold themselves accountable and to educate themselves on what is happening in our world. Together we can uplift and amplify Black voices that cannot be heard or are refused to be listened to.

Women@NASA is a website that includes a stunning collection of 64 videos and essays from women across the agency who contribute to NASA’s mission in many different ways. We hope to give you a glimpse of the talent we have at the agency today. Their stories illuminate the vibrant community of dedicated women employees who play a vital role at the agency. You’ll hear stories of women overcoming almost every obstacle imaginable to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the world.

This collection of posters feature IF/THEN® Ambassadors selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).  The IF/THEN^® Collection is the largest free resource of its kind dedicated to increasing access to authentic and relatable images of real women in STEM.

STEM Role Models Posters commissioned by Nevertheless podcast feature women who serve as amazing role models in their fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Download the free posters and print them out for your school or workplace. By taking part, you’ll help raise awareness of their achievements, and hopefully inspire a new generation of girls and women in STEM.

SACNAS - Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science - is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.  Our vision is to achieve true diversity in STEM. True diversity means that the field (including leadership positions) reflects the demographics of the population. For the last 45 years, we’ve been working to make sure that those most underrepresented in STEM have the support they need to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership. At SACNAS, we understand that diverse voices bring creative solutions to our world’s most pressing scientific problems. That’s why we’re building a national network that is innovative, powerful, and inclusive.

The Latinas in Computing (LiC) community was established after Birds of a Feather session at the 2006 Grace Hopper Conference entitled Latinas in Engineering. There, a group of energized Latinas from industry, government labs and academia discussed the strengths of this growing community and the misconceptions affecting its members.  They talked about their experiences as double minorities, including the self-limiting beliefs that can interfere with their ability to excel and establish themselves as leaders in computational fields. Given the common experiences discovered by participants in this initial event, Latinas in Computing established as its first goal to define key strategies to promote leadership and professional development among the current and next generations of Latinas in technology.

Aboriginal Access to Engineering at Queen’s University is committed to increasing the number of Indigenous engineers in Canada. By promoting math and science to elementary and high school students, supporting the efforts of their teachers, and enabling access to post-secondary study, we are encouraging more Indigenous youth to become qualified engineers. We work with the engineering profession and academic institutions, as well as government and business to develop programming which will encourage Indigenous youth to stay in school and pursue post-secondary studies in the pure and applied sciences. Most importantly, we work with Indigenous communities - students, teachers, parents, elders and leaders - from across Canada to ensure that the programming we produce is relevant and meets the needs and expectations of the community.

The Michigan Council of Women in Technology (WCWT) works toward our mission to inspire and grow women in technology. A diverse IT workforce is a vital part of Michigan’s transformation and we strive to engage and retain female professionals here.

Our vision is simple:
MAKE MICHIGAN THE NO. 1 STATE FOR WOMEN IN IT.

In our network, you’ll meet executives, students, business owners, entrepreneurs and others dedicated to a thriving technology community. Through mentoring, leadership development, networking, and technology experiences for all career cycles—from youth summer camps, to college and graduate school scholarships, to professional networking events, and more—we are inspiring and nurturing technologically oriented women.

The Women’s Security Alliance (WomSA) is dedicated to the success of women in cybersecurity. We believe a cybersecurity career is possible for anyone with the interest and passion to invest in their future success.  

WomSA is a nonprofit organization that empowers women in cybersecurity by:

• Aligning your strengths and interests to a cybersecurity career path

• Providing resources such as mentors that guide you through the cyber community

• Brokering connections to funding resources to provide financial aid for training

• Developing networking opportunities to meet industry experts, recruiters, and corporate executives

WomSA is the support system America has needed. At WomSA, we envision a world where women succeed in cybersecurity.

Diversity in Action is a digital and print publication dedicated to supporting and promoting diversity in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. We foster new ideas through articles representing diversity of thought, experience and perspective. We highlight individuals who identify as persons of color, those with different abilities, veterans, active military personnel, women and members of the LGBTQ community. We also examine topics and profile people who bring a diverse array of views and who nurture innovation regardless of how they identify themselves.

In six bimonthly issues and a fall special, Diversity in Action highlights students and professionals, corporations, universities, nonprofits and government agencies that are committed to advancing STEM diversity.

DiversityComm, Inc. (DCI) is the proud publisher of the Diversity in STEAM Magazine as well as five other nationally recognized diversity focused magazines: Black EOE Journal, Hispanic Network Magazine, Multicultural Professional Woman’s Magazine, U.S. Veterans Magazine, and DIVERSEability Magazine. Each magazine has its own engaging website, distribution, and digital edition.  

Their mission is to promote the advancement of all aspects of business and employment to ensure equal opportunity. With their 25-year history specializing in Diversity they acknowledge that D&I (Diversity & Inclusion) is the main apex of reaching minority audiences. They are dedicated to inform, educate, employ and provide equal opportunity within corporate America in order to create a more diverse workplace. They are a valuable resource for all companies across the nation and regarded as one of the fastest growing diversity publications.

US Black Engineer and Information Technology Magazine provides black technology news and information about black engineering, black technology, black engineers, black education, black minorities, Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), and historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) from black communities in US, UK, Caribbean, and Africa.

In Demand is a movement that seeks to connect Black men to opportunities to become volunteers, mentors and educators.

Research supports that students of color tend to achieve more when they have teachers who mirror their culture and background. A March 2017 study by the Institute of Labor Economics found that when Black male students have at least one Black male teacher in grades three through five, high school dropout rates decrease significantly.

Having a teacher who looks like you and who you can relate to, can help students feel more comfortable, confident and enthusiastic. This is not to disparage the work of teachers who are not of color. It’s simply to acknowledge the unfortunate truth of racial bias within our educational system and propose that part of the solution is to draw more black males to the profession.

CodePath.org is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit increasing diversity in tech by transforming college C.S. education for underrepresented minorities and underserved populations.

They exist to eliminate educational inequity in technical careers. Their mission is to provide the tools and connections that software engineers need to unlock their greatest career potential.

This Minorities in STEM: Increasing Workplace Diversity Guide from MastersInDataScience.org discusses biases faced by minority college students in STEM, resources for minority students, and scholarships available for minorities in STEM.

Of the 5 million employed workers in the computing field, minorities only account for about 30% of employees, and that number includes women as well as ethnic minorities. Minority students may encounter barriers in their college careers, and perhaps even more so specifically in STEM programs. STEM programs and careers tend to have the highest race and gender gaps. Discrepancies in representation alone can create barriers that inhibit students from participating in higher education at optimal levels.

The “I Am A Scientist,” project is building classroom tools to make STE(A)M careers technically and psychologically accessible to all students.  Not every student wants or needs to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). However - should they choose to - demographics, interests, personality, and socio-economic status should never get in their way.

The project is building and delivering multimedia toolkits to science classrooms nationwide. We lay out the many sometimes-meandering paths that our featured scientists took to get to where they are today. We slip in key nature of science skills and institutional knowledge so that technical details never interfere with a student's chance at success in STE(A)M. We collect, curate, and freely share a digitized database of resources and scientists’ honest breakdowns of what it truly takes to become a scientist in today's world. 

Science should not be a privilege reserved for the few, but a path that every student can access should they choose to.

Social Justice & Anti‑Racist Educator Resources

This collection of resources aims to help educators begin, continue, and further their own work to first educate themselves and then bring anti-racist teaching to all grade levels and subject areas. We believe every child—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, or religion—has a right not only to a fair and just education, but also to see themselves reflected in the work they are asked to do, and to have their voices heard.

Great Lakes Equity Center’s and Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center's approach to resource and service delivery is grounded in a multi-tiered framework of technical assistance. Their goal is to engage in well-defined, content-rich technical assistance such that knowledge and expertise are shared in a way that results in transformative systemic change, as well as personal reflection and growth. Click here to see their services.

• One of four regional Equity Assistance Centers
• Funded by the United States Department of Education under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
• Provide technical assistance and training, upon request, in the areas of race, sex, national origin and religion to public school districts and other responsible governmental agencies to promote equitable education opportunities
• Work in the areas of civil rights, equity, and school reform

The Nepantla Teachers Community is a non-profit organization committed to developing mathematics teachers who strive for social justice in education. Nepantla is a Nahuatl (Aztec language) term connoting in between or a reference to the space of the middle.  In other words, it is the space of uncertainty, tension between truths, and "grey area".  As mathematics teachers, we can learn in this space by reexamining our beliefs and questioning oppressive structures and practices.  We assert that growing in nepantla help us form critical perspectives to better prepare our students.  

Check out the Nepantla Teachers Blog and their annual mini-conferences with workshops that focus on high quality mathematics curriculum and instruction for students who are traditionally marginalized.  

A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction is an integrated approach to mathematics that centers Black, Latinx, and Multilingual students in grades 6-8, addresses barriers to math equity, and aligns instruction to grade-level priority standards. The Pathway offers guidance and resources for educators to use now as they plan their curriculum, while also offering opportunities for ongoing self-reflection as they seek to develop an anti-racist math practice. The toolkit “strides” serve as multiple on-ramps for educators as they navigate the individual and collective journey from equity to anti-racism.

This toolkit was developed by a team of teachers, instructional coaches, researchers, professional development providers, and curriculum writers with expertise in mathematics education, English language development, and culturally responsive pedagogy. (See collaborator bios).

TODOS: Mathematics for ALL is an international professional organization that advocates for equity and excellence in mathematics education for ALL students - in particular, Latina/o students. As articulated in the mission and goals, TODOS advances educators' knowledge, develops and supports education leaders, generates and disseminates knowledge, informs the public, influences educational policies, and informs families about education policies and learning strategies. All of these goals ultimately result in providing access to high quality and rigorous mathematics for ALL students.

The Shortwave program's episode, Want To Dismantle Racism In Science? Start In The Classroom, includes conversations with science educators building an anti-racist perspective into their curriculum and seeking to make the science classroom more inclusive:

• Letimicia Fears, a postdoctoral fellow in the Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach at Vanderbilt University and an adjunct in the Department of Biological Science at Tennessee State University

• Gretchen Kraig-Turner, a science teacher at Burlington-Edison High School and a contributing author to Rethinking School

• Viji Sathy, a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an administrator in the Office of Undergraduate Education

Dr. Patricia Morgan, President of the Georgia Science Supervisors Association, lists Five things we can do immediately to create equitable spaces in science