By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Organization Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Science, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers are some of the highest-paying, quickest-increasing professions on the job industry. In 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual wage across all STEM occupations was $95,420 compared to $40,120 for non-STEM occupations. 

But, the STEM workforce is mostly male and White. Females and folks of colour have struggled to get equitable representation and chance in STEM industries more than the decades. 

According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), despite the fact that females comprise 51 % of the U.S. population, only 35 % of the STEM labor force are females. 

For females of colour the quantity is even decrease, with Black females comprising a mere 1.six % of the country’s scientists and engineers. 

Civic leader Tyrone Taborn is the founder of Profession Communication Group, which assists worldwide corporations and governments find, create and retain minorities with STEM backgrounds. The firm annually publishes “The Females of Colour Magazine” and the “U.S. Black Engineer &amp Facts Technologies Magazine.” Each and every year, Taborn’s organization recognizes major Black female contributors in STEM with “Women of Color” awards that highlight diverse scientists, tech innovators, engineers and mathematicians.

He stated in order to boost women’s representation in STEM, society should develop young women’s self-assurance in math and science, boost STEM education for females, and intentionally attract, recruit and retain females in STEM majors. 

“This lack of diversity in STEM has genuine consequences for all of us. It signifies that we are not drawing on the complete variety of talent and perspectives that we want to resolve the complicated challenges facing our society, from climate alter to healthcare to cybersecurity. It also signifies that we are leaving a substantial pool of possible innovation and financial development untapped,” stated Taborn.

“That’s why it is so vital that we develop a lot more possibilities for females in STEM, from early education by means of to profession advancement.”

In honor of the AFRO’s specific edition for Women’s History Month, he identified 4 award-winning females of colour who have produced waves and notable contributions to the STEM fields. 

Denise Gray 

Denise Gray is the president of LG Power Option Michigan Tech Center. As component of her function, she styles batteries that energy electric cars. (Courtesy of LinkedIn)

This Michigan native is the president of LG Power Option Michigan Tech Center, the North American subsidiary of LG, a South Korea-primarily based chemical firm. In her function, Gray styles and produces batteries that assist to energy electric cars. In 2017, she was named Females of Colour Technologist of the Year. In 2022, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for her leadership in creating and making electronic controls and battery systems for electrified passenger vehicle propulsion systems. Her objectives consist of growing the adoption of electric cars and the quantity of folks pursuing engineering and technologies jobs in the U.S.

******************************

Norma B. Clayton

Norma B. Clayton is the former vice president for understanding, coaching and improvement for the Boeing Corporation. She transformed manufacturing processes and provide chain management in aerospace industries. (Courtesy of Tuskegee University)

Now retired from the Boeing Corporation, Clayton was the 2009 Females of Colour Technologist of the Year. At the Boeing Corporation, she held many leadership positions in engineering, manufacturing excellence, plant operations and optimization and provide chain and procurement. In 2022, immediately after retiring as vice president for understanding, coaching and improvement at the Boeing Corporation, Clayton was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering for reshaping manufacturing processes and provide chain management. She was also recognized for developing revolutionary coaching applications in industrial aerospace industries. 

******************************

Mei Cai is the director of battery cell systems investigation for Common Motors’ Chemical and Supplies Technique Laboratory. She created cutting-edge technologies to uncover battery components and advance battery cell manufacturing. (Courtesy of Asian American Engineer of the Year)

Mei Cai

As director of battery cell systems investigation for Common Motors’ Chemical and Supplies Technique Laboratory, Cai has spearheaded cutting-edge innovations that have sophisticated the discovery of battery components and streamlined battery cell manufacturing. The Beijing native has also been instrumental in creating Common Motors’ Ultium battery cells, which help electric cars. In 2021, Cai was named the 2021 Females of Colour Technologist of the Year.

******************************

Delia Grenville is the director of company and operating atmosphere, fabrication components and provide chain for Intel Corporation. She invented and patented 5 digital content material technologies. (Courtesy of LinkedIn)

Delia Grenville 

A investigation scientist and technologies strategist, Grenville is the director of company and operating atmosphere, fabrication components and provide chain for Intel Corporation. More than her profession, Grenville has invented 5 digital content material technologies, most of which use the world wide web to assist folks filter content material streaming to their TVs. In 2015, Grenville won the Females of Colour Technologist of the Year Award. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.