Celebrating Black Women In Stem: Science Communicator, Sarah Adewumi

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only held 7% of STEM jobs in 1970. That number doubled to 14% in 1980. According to the National Science Board, women make up 47% of the current workforce but only 28% of the current science and engineering workforce. Of this percentage, women of color comprise about 5%.

During Black History Month we are honored to celebrate Black Women In Stem. Today we are celebrating Sarah Adewumi who is a science communicator and woman in Technology at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Congratulations Sarah on being recognized by the Universal Women’s Network as a Woman of Inspiration. What do you define as success?

Sarah: I define success as finding happiness and fulfillment in the process and knowing you impacted somebody else’s life through your work.

You’re also the founder of ‘Next Gen in STEM’, whose goal is to empower and promote the education of the next generation of leaders in the STEM industry. What was the inspiration behind your brand?

Sarah: I was inspired to create my organization after witnessing my four nieces playing and pretending to be me talking about science. That was the first moment that I became aware that I was doing something larger than myself and realized that just as these little girls were inspired by having someone that looks like them in my position, there were so many others waiting to find that as well.

What other work are you involved in specifically with your nonprofit?

Sarah: I connect with leadership-focused organizations all over the globe and utilize my platform to empower youth to spread their wings, shatter glass ceilings, and pursue their calling while promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM. Next Gen in STEM has reached over four continents as it continues to expand.

What else would you like our readers to know about passion for science? 

Sarah: I emphasize that femininity and intelligence are not mutually exclusive. I also encourage young girls to follow their dreams and strive to become leaders in any industry they find themselves in.

Lastly, we are honored to commend you for your incredible leadership exhibited by the women who have come before you. What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring young girls in STEM?

Sarah: My biggest piece of advice for aspiring young girls in STEM is to try and find a community! That was one of the biggest motivators for creating my organization — and turning it into a community where young girls and women could connect with each other, mentors in the industry, and find comfort in knowing that there are others doing amazing things in the industry. I would also encourage young girls to explore different options if they don’t quite know yet exactly what they want they want to do in the STEM industry.

More on Sarah Adewumi:

Sarah Adewumi is a science communicator and woman in Technology at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), who as a former pageant queen, strives to show young girls and women that they can be multifaceted in STEM.

As a newly published TEDx speaker, Adewumi has found herself in many mass-comm arenas as a host for the Emmy-award-winning team, NASA eClips, creating STEM-based episodes for VPM and PBS — making science-learning attainable for K-12 youth across the United States.

Keep up to date on Instagram @adewumisarah