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Happy Birthday to Me!

April 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
bdayImage

My birthday is less than one month away (May 24th).  I'm really excited for a number of reasons.  One of them has to do with a weird pattern in my life that occurs every 7 years -> major change!  Yup, this year, is another 7th and almost every aspect of my life has undergone some form of change. Another reason I'm excited is because I want a Samsung Note (or a Galaxy S4)!  I posted an update 'in jest' on Facebook and Twitter suggesting that anyone could buy me one for my birthday.  To my surprise, at least 3 people suggested a make a donation page for it.  Alas, this was nothing but confirmation ...because the thought quickly occurred to me as well.  But, I thought against it.  That is, until I started hearing the suggestion more and more. So, here you have it.  My … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 03 - The World Around Me, 04 - Thoughts, Android

“If I Were A Poor Black Kid” – Wait, I Was A Poor Black Kid

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
bestblackchildren

First, let me now say that I recognize I'm a bit late in responding to this blog post.  But, I've been working so hard at running my nonprofit organization and preparing for my new PhD program over the past several weeks, that I have not had a chance to really read, gather my thoughts, and respond.  [Ode to Marks's notion that poor black kids are somewhat lazy.] But, alas.  My busy schedule has cleared for a few minutes to allow me to add my thoughts to the discussion - if I can call it that. I read Gene Marks' article on Forbes.com and a knot formed in my throat, stomach, and in my heart.  It's hard to believe that race and equity in education are still intense areas of discussion.  Neither should be a problem and both should be free and clear of heated debates. Nonetheless, … [Read more...]

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Welcome 2012!

January 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
IMG_0337

So, we are one full week into the new year.  I suppose I should officially say Happy New Year! I didn't blog as much as I wanted to last year.  I hope that changes in 2012.   Alot happened in 2011, so I wasn't like I didn't have anything about which to write.  I think I simply lost focus of what this website was supposed to be and wasn't sure if some content was appropriate or not.  I am the executive director of a nonprofit that provides educational experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, I do freelance work from time to time, I'm a PhD student again (now at George Mason University), and I, of course, have my own opinions and thoughts about many many things.  More often then not, I wasn't sure if I wanted to write about all that here.  So, I didn't - … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 01 - Learning & Doing Research, 02 - Device Development, 03 - The World Around Me, 04 - Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

A Slice of (My) Life: Black Enterprise TV Profile

July 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
sliceofLife

  Click the photo above to see the clip.     … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 01 - Learning & Doing Research, 03 - The World Around Me, 04 - Thoughts

STEM Education: Why? & How?

May 8, 2011 by 1 Comment
ySTEM

Over the past few days, I have been evaluating and reevaluating my work in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. With over 10,000 hours delivering STEM content, I found myself asking "why am I doing this, why am I teaching STEM, why is this so important?"  These are no random questions.  They actually come at a time when strategic planning is the number one priority for my nonprofit organization (Uplift, Inc.). Uplift, Inc. applied for and was selected to be a Fair Chance partner for the next year.  Fair Chance is a nonprofit that helps organizations serving children in wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 in Washington, DC.  Our projects certainly fit the bill.  As a matter of fact, we are one of few organizations that provide STEM education to students in these wards (this is … [Read more...]

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KIPP DC | AIM Academy Wins Robotic Competition

November 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment
kipp-robotics

This past weekend, one of my robotics teams - KIPP DC | AIM Academy (the Symbiotic Titans) won 1st place in robot design and 1st place in robot performance at the First Lego League (FLL) Regional Robotics Competition.  I am so extremely proud of them.  As a rookie team, they came, they saw, and they conquered.  It was the best 'apply what you've learned to the task at hand' that I have seen all year! The team embodied determination and focus like no other at the competition.  This determination and perseverance also won them an alternate spot at the State competition! But they were not the only rookie team I was proud of...  The Jaguars from the Arts & Technology Academy Public Charter School also performed extremely well.   Despite their nervous jitters, them and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 03 - The World Around Me, Robotics

20 African-American Women in Tech Academia You Should Know

October 15, 2010 by 3 Comments
20women-feature

Today, I was so proud to discover that I have been featured in an article entitled '20 African-American Women in Tech Academia You Should Know.' I can name many others that should be included in this list (Dr. Quincy Brown - Bowie State, and Dr. Nikki Washington - Howard), but I was still very pleased to be included. Stay tuned as there may be more press coverage coming soon.  ;) … [Read more...]

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Making Myles & Ayesha

September 29, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Myles & Ayesha!

Feb. 5, 2011 - UPDATE:  The Myles & Ayesha Black Inventors Match Game is NOW also on the Android Market. Official Unveiling! Today, I unveiled Myles & Ayesha - the characters, their website, and their first themed educational iPhone app (game) called Myles & Ayesha - Black Inventors Match Game.  They also have a twitter account, so make sure you follow them!  :) I actually just found announcements of the iPhone App on other sites as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 01 - Learning & Doing Research, 02 - Device Development, 03 - The World Around Me, 04 - Thoughts, iPhone Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Best Dissertation is the One That’s Finished!

September 18, 2010 by 3 Comments
Screen shot 2010-09-18 at 11.47.30 AM

Toward A Dissertation Topic Over the past several weeks, I have been exploring topics for my dissertation.  My experience and passion to-date have been working with technology (specifically technology that supports learning) and children (specifically children of color).  So, naturally, I wanted my dissertation topic to focus on something in this space.  However, over the past few days, after intensive pondering and reflection, I have realized and greatly appreciate the statement that "the best dissertation is the one that's finished" ...and that focusing on these particular issues, at this particular time, may not be as effective as I would like. Realizing this is the culmination of learning a number of things about research, the process of obtaining a PhD, and the difference … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 01 - Learning & Doing Research, 03 - The World Around Me, 04 - Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Farm @ Walker Jones

August 27, 2010 by Leave a Comment
wjfarm

I just fell in-love with a new project happening in DC.  It involves a chef, a dedicated community, and the kindergarten students at Walker Jones Elementary School in DC.  The projects photos are amazing and the benefits exceed the amount of joy one feels when browsing through the project's photo gallery.  These students are learning so many skills from the basics of 'growth' in general, to sustainability, to environmental science.  It's awesome.  I want to get involved somehow.  Don't you!?! Check it out http://wjfarm.wordpress.com … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 03 - The World Around Me
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