Tiffany Davis is not just an aerospace engineer, she is also a rocket scientist, a mentor, a speaker, and an inspiration for many young girls who aspire to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her graduation photos from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2016 went viral with the hashtag #YesIAmARocketScientist, showcasing her passion and achievement in a field that is often dominated by men and underrepresented by minorities.
Davis was born and raised in Washington, D.C., where she developed an interest in math and science at a young age. She attended engineering-driven summer camps and read books on astrophysics and engineering. She also conducted her own experiments at home, such as building a hovercraft out of a leaf blower and a plywood board. She graduated from high school with a full scholarship to Georgia Tech, where she majored in aerospace engineering and minored in French.
At Georgia Tech, Davis was involved in various extracurricular activities, such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the African American Student Union (AASU), and the Georgia Tech Student Ambassadors. She also participated in several internships and co-ops at NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. She even got former President Barack Obama to visit the campus and talk about student affordability.
Davis graduated from Georgia Tech in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. She then joined Boeing as part of the Corporate Engineering Leadership Rotation Program, where she worked on different projects across the country. She is currently working as a spacecraft vehicle manager in Washington D.C., where she oversees all space vehicle operations and mission planning. She is also pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science at Georgia Tech online, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for future space exploration missions.
Davis is not only a successful engineer, but also a passionate advocate for encouraging other young women, especially Black women, to follow their dreams in STEM. She has spoken at various events and organizations, such as Girls Who Code, HowGirlsCode, Dream Talk Panel, Women of Color in STEM Conference, and BET Black Girls Rock Awards Show. She also created the AstroGirls Scholarship Fund to help send young girls to space camp. She believes that representation matters and that Black women can achieve anything they set their minds to.
According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), Black women accounted for only 2.3% of bachelor’s degrees, 3.8% of master’s degrees, and 2.9% of doctoral degrees in engineering awarded in the U.S. in 2018. Davis hopes to change these statistics by inspiring more Black girls to pursue STEM education and careers. She wants to show them that they can be rocket scientists too.
Tiffany Davis is a remarkable example of a Black woman who has overcome challenges and stereotypes to excel in her field. She is a role model for many young girls who look up to her and see themselves in her. She is a trailblazer who is reaching for the stars and beyond.
We want to celebrate Tiffany today. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Blacks and Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
The name Nancy Abu-Bonsrah is one that should be honoured. She is the first black woman to be accepted to the prestigious Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where neurological surgery as a field of medicine was initially developed.
Nancy was raised in Ghana, where she was born and went to school at Cape Coast’s Wesley Girls’ High School. When she was 15 years old, she and her parents relocated to Maryland where she attended Mount Saint Mary’s University to complete her undergraduate studies in chemistry and biochemistry. She subsequently enrolled at Johns Hopkins University’s medical school, where she excelled both academically and clinically.
During her junior year of college, Nancy travelled to Ghana where she shadowed a neurosurgeon and saw the amazing surgeries he performed as well as the dire need for additional medical care in the nation. This trip ignited her interest in neurosurgery. “Usually when I think about brain surgery, I think the brain is sacred and you don’t touch it or do anything to it,” she said. “But to see them do these remarkable surgeries, and have good outcomes, was something that impressed me.” “I thought it would be nice to combine my interest in this field with an opportunity to give back to my country and other nations that don’t have as much surgical infrastructure,” she continued.
Kwabena Yamoah, a physician from Ghana who also attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is married to Nancy. When they were both in college, they first connected at a church function. Nancy is a devoted Seventh-Day Adventist who attributes her success to her faith. I want to be known for giving back to my community, whether it’s by offering high-quality surgical treatment or by supporting the training of the doctors of tomorrow, the woman added. Read more about Nancy here.