Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Branch.
Hi Kara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a Chemical Engineer and a mom of 3 daughters. My oldest daughter is the reason Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation exists. Being the only black woman in the room in all my roles, I didn’t want my daughters to be Engineers because of all the trials and tribulations I have gone through. However, when my oldest daughter was 9 she said to me she wanted to be a Software Engineer.
I was shocked because I never talked about what I did for a living. That day, I knew I had to do two things (1) If anyone can help my daughter achieve her dream is her mom, and (2) I had to create a comfortable space for her and girls who look like her who have dreams of becoming S.T.E.M professionals as well. That’s the day my organization was born.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all but the everyday fight, I do for these girls is so worth it. Somebody has to do it and I am happy to step up to the plate. Let’s be honest I run a black organization with the words black in it. Not everyone is comfortable with that and question why I am not being inclusive. The data is why.
There is 25 percent of women in S.T.E.M. careers and Black women make up 2.9 percent of that. Something has to change. My team and I are S.T.E.M professionals and we believe you have to see it to believe it. Representation is a huge piece of what we do. We are impacting our members’ lives so every struggle and challenge has been worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation?
Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization started in June 2019. Our organization’s goal is to provide access, awareness, and advocate for 2 million Black-American girls to choose S.T.E.M careers by the year 2050. We work with girls ages 6 to 21 years old. We are a membership-based organization and have 80 plus girls enrolled in our S.T.E.M program.
We specialize in what research projects the year 2050 look like. We do hands-on S.T.E.M activities with our members with focuses on Artificial Intelligence (A.I), Aerospace Engineering, Environmental, Renewable and Sustainable Energy and so much more. We also help girls in our program get to college and land jobs after college.
The age groups we serve, our technical ability, and our curriculum are what sets us apart from others. We are always figuring out ways to stay ahead and change the world. We are so proud that in 2.5 years we have grown by 50 percent every year and have members not just in Houston but all over Texas and multiple states.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M) to girls in my community. I did not have this myself. I come from an underserved community and I am a first-gen college graduate.
I want to do for these girls what I wish someone would have been able to do for me. Exposure is key!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@blackgirlsdoengineer.org
- Website: www.blackgirlsdoengineer.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlsdoengineer
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackgirlsdoengineer
