Know Your Purpose, Not Just Your Environment

Meet Aisha Bowe

Aisha bowe is the epitome of the question what do we look like? When we as black women walk into a room what is it that you actually see of us? Do you see a scientist? Do you see an engineer? Do you see an entrepreneur? Do you see a mother? Do you see a VP of the United states of America? What is actually seen when a black woman walks into the room.

Meet Aish Bowe, who is more than just a former engineer and rocket scientist at NASA and more than founder and business owner. Originally being told she would be better suited in the cosmetology field, Aisha showed up and showed out by graduating with an aerospace engineering degree from the university of michigan and becoming an award winning rocket scientist with NASA.

“Its not about who you think you can be, it about who you know you are not” - Aisha Bowe

Some would say being at NASA is the “momma we made it’’ destination, but for Aisha, its just the beginning. Looking back on your upbringing and environment, a lot of the times you are not given all the options of who you can actually become. As a community we are slowly coming out of the “ you can be an entertainer or a baller” mentality, but you have to stop and think, if you are only given two options to become and you do not want either, what do you do? For Aisha, she leaned on what she is not, and that’s a quitter. Even after having trouble all throughout high school and not making the grades. Aisha continued on to showcase and represent what a rocket scientist looks like, inspiring so many other youth behind her. “You can be a scientist and still have a beat face!”

Its the representation for me! Aisha Bowe founded her start up STEMboard, which is an engineering solutions company with a mission to help youth break stereotypes, and the internalization of negative narratives that can potentially hinder them from pursuing careers in STEM. “Whether or not they grew up in the United States, South Africa or even in Paris everyone seems to be battling with their sense of self and that something that I live to to show people why they need to free themselves from that.You do not have to have a 4.0 to become a rocket scientist you just have to work hard because we all know that hard work beats Talent especially when Talent doesn’t work at all.”

“American dream is for everybody and not just for a few people”

This is a big take away from Aisha Bowe’s story and accomplishments. The american dream, that you can be whoever you want to be and be as successful as you possibly can. That is exactly what has happened. As a community we have to know and believe that we can achieve whatever we set out for. Even if we don’t know what that looks like 100%.

Aisha Bowe left NASA, a prestigious job, position and I am sure, a great dental plan, because she wanted something for her own. She wanted to create a sustainable business that is ranked and respected in the entrepreneurial circle a well as impactful for the future generations. That’s exactly what she did. “There is no shortage of power, so there no shortage of access of opportunity”

Although having to face discrimination along the way, something that so many of us can unfortunately relate to, Aisha shared that although she had to eal with it, she realize that her actual job is to motivate and inspire others with potential to join her. As she continues to open pathways and doors for every color to be represented in the field and industry she is using her influence and organization to support and assist STEM camps all over the nation.

Know that you have met Aisha Bowe, you know who she is, and more importantly, who she is not, a stereotype.

You can find more information on supporting and joining Aisha Bowe and her STEM Movement.