EP#29 - THE STEM GAP PROBLEM NO-ONE KNOWS EXISTS with Emalia Denoon

In this episode, I sit down with Emalia Denoon, Founder of STEM, Braids & Beyond. Today, we’re exploring "The STEM Gap Problem No One Knows Exists."Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Emalia Denoon:Could you tell the listeners about your journey? How did you get to where you are today?Who do you help in your business now, and how do you support underrepresented communities in STEM?Your program addresses unintentional bias in STEM education. Could you elaborate on how STEM discovery inadvertently excludes certain communities?How does your work aim to bridge the STEM gap for underrepresented children and families?What are some success stories or examples that highlight the impact of your work in the community?Empowerment is a key theme of your work. How do you believe highlighting diverse stories and experiences can foster a sense of empowerment among young people?Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for STEM, Braids & Beyond, and the impact you hope to make?What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in this journey, and how did you overcome it?What is one thing people can start doing right away to get involved in closing the STEM gap?Are there any tools or resources you provide that can help parents and educators support their children’s interest in STEM?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About "The STEM Gap Problem No One Knows Exists":Emalia's Journey: Emalia Denoon shares her unique path into STEM, which began when others recognized her innate abilities and encouraged her to pursue a career she never thought possible. This led to her founding STEM, Braids & Beyond, an initiative aimed at breaking down barriers in STEM education for underrepresented communities.Unintentional Bias in STEM: Emalia discusses how children from underrepresented backgrounds often start STEM education at a disadvantage due to a lack of early exposure and support at home. Her program focuses on helping these children recognize their inherent STEM skills and build confidence to pursue their interests.Bridging the STEM Gap: Through workshops and market research, Emalia has encountered numerous children who demonstrate incredible potential in STEM but are unaware of the opportunities available to them. Her program seeks to bring STEM education to where these children are and create environments where they can thrive.Empowerment Through Representation: Emalia emphasizes the importance of representation in STEM, showcasing diverse stories and experiences to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. By sharing these stories, she hopes to empower young people to see themselves in STEM roles and pursue their dreams.Aspirations for the Future: Emalia’s goal is to make STEM knowledge as commonplace as understanding popular sports like the NFL or NBA. She aspires to create a world where STEM is accessible to all, and her program no longer needs to exist because the gap has been closed.Overcoming Challenges: Emalia reflects on the challenges she faced in underestimating the demand for STEM education in underrepresented communities. She encourages others to dream bigger and recognize the immense potential for impact in this space.Taking Action: Emalia encourages parents, educators, and community members to start by engaging with their local schools and making them aware of the resources available through her program. She also suggests that parents expose their children to diverse STEM role models through her podcast and other resources.About the Host: Tiffani TeacheyTiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, TEDx international speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z,” the STEM Crew Kids Adventures series, and three empowerment books. She is the host of the Read It Right Radio Show on WDRBmedia. Tiffani owns Thrive Edge Publishing and is the owner/publishing consultant of Inspired Authors Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management, both from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a Leadership Studies Ph.D. student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.As an engineer with over 19 years of experience, Tiffani is passionate about inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. She was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor. For more about Tiffani, visit her website at www.TiffaniTeachey.com. Check out the free STEM gift—the 10 STEM Scholarships & Organizations e-book—at www.stemistheway.com.