Vanguard STEM

about

OUR MISSION

Vanguard: Conversations with Women of Color in STEM, or #VanguardSTEM for short, is an online platform and community devoted to encouraging conversations between emerging and established women of color, girls of color and non-binary people of color in STEM.

 

These folks are often the first or only in their schools, departments, or workplaces so we’ve built an online community where we can come together to recognize expertise, share stories, combat struggles, and celebrate the accomplishments of other women and non-binary people of color in STEM.

 

Our online community programming connects folks of all stages and ages with peers and mentors who share their identities. Our articles, blogs, and academic literature helps people of any identity build safe spaces for people of color in STEM. Our videos, podcasts, and community features increase the digital footprint of women and non-binary scientists, reminding us all that we are what scientists look like.

 

Through #VanguardSTEM, we assert, without apology, the right of Black, Indigenous, women of color and non-binary people of color to fully represent ourselves and our STEM identities and interests, without assimilation.

About

OUR METHODOLOGY

As a community and program founded by Black women scientists, we apply an experimental approach to our programming. Our hypothesis driven approach to engaging our audience is based on empirical research on supporting under-represented identities in STEM and social justice endeavors to liberate.

This experimental approach was published in 2021 as the Intersectional Scientific Method (ISM). To learn more about our praxis, read our first peer-reviewed publication: “Defining the Flow—Using an Intersectional Scientific Methodology to Construct a VanguardSTEM Hyperspace”.

About

OUR TEAM

About

Jedidah Isler, Ph.D.

(Astrophysics)

Founder of #VanguardSTEM

Read Bio
About

Anicca Harriot, Ph.D.

(Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)

Acting Chief Executive Officer

Read Bio
About

Arianna Long, Ph.D.

(Astrophysics)

Chief Programing Officer

Read Bio
About

Geraldine Ezeka, Ph.D.

(Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)

Director of Funding

Read Bio

❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD ❤ FOREVER SQUAD

About

Natasha Berryman

Read Bio
About

Léolène Carrington, Ph.D.

Read Bio
About

Chrystelle Vilfranc

Read Bio
About

Marie Sgouros, B.A.

Read Bio
Natasha, Leo, Marie and Chrys are what we call the “OGs” or “forever squad” because they, alongside Jedidah and Anicca, helped conceive of and craft what the world now knows as #VanguardSTEM. We’re the proud mothers of a peer-reviewed article about how we built #VanguardSTEM, called “Defining the Flow—Using an Intersectional Scientific Methodology to Construct a VanguardSTEM Hyperspace.” Please read, share and cite it to show your support!
We also want to thank… Lana Hunter, who served as our founding operations manager. She helped us greatly and we’re cheering her on as she continues to organize the world. The growing list of community members that have contributed content, time and care to the evolution of #VanguardSTEM. They include Marie Sguoros, Angelina Gomez, Isabel Rodriguez, Jasmine Johnson, Miracle Rogers, Mallory Molina and more. Thank you!

PAST FUNDERS

Join the squad

We accept new interns on a rolling basis, as positions become available. You can always complete our volunteer interest form and from time to time we’ll add calls for specific roles.