Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:27:53 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Our esteemed hosts, Dr. Kyla McMullen and Dr. Jeremy Waisome, check in for some mid-season updates in their academic and research endeavors, including mentoring new students and navigating grant funding challenges. Special guest Dr. Amber Johnson pops in to share our involvement in various projects, including a Small Business and Research Grant from the NSF. Don’t miss this episode because we discuss travel grants and opportunities to become a Modern Figures Influencer! BONUS: Stick around for an important update at the end of the episode.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:19 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Comedian and actress Keysha E. discusses her journey from a computer engineer with degrees in information systems and computer engineering to performing comedy in Hollywood.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:21:20 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Join Dr. Jeremy Waisome and Dr. Kyla McMullen as they elevate the influential stories of Black women in computing. This episode features Chioma Aso, a dynamic figure bridging engineering and advocacy. Chioma discusses her journey from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to becoming an influential engineering manager and founder of STEAMDivas Incorporated. She shares insights on grounding, productivity, and STEM education, while challenging conventional narratives around intelligence and confidence. Discover how Chioma empowers young girls through STEM, inspiring the next generation of tech innovators.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:00 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Stephanie Van Putten, a notable leader in tech and entrepreneurship, shares her journey from PG County, Maryland, to becoming a major force in Silicon Valley. She discusses her experiences at Microsoft and MIT, founding Blendoor, and creating Visible Figures, a platform enhancing visibility for women leaders of the African diaspora. With insights into navigating tech, raising venture capital, and fostering diversity, Van Putten reflects on challenges and the importance of community and networking. Join this enlightening conversation to explore the intersection of human capital, technology, and the push for more inclusive, equitable workplaces.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:00 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Join hosts Kyla and Jeremy on the Modern Figures podcast as they welcome Dr. Gloria Katuka, an applied scientist at Microsoft from Zaria, Nigeria. Gloria shares her remarkable journey through academia, achieving four degrees in eight years, including a PhD in computer science. Discover her experience transitioning from Nigeria to the U.S., her passion for computer science education, and her impactful work in developing AI services. Gain insights into her unique career path, the challenges she overcame, and her current role at Microsoft, crafting AI solutions for customers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:38:02 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Dive into an insightful conversation with Dr. Valerie Taylor, Director of Argonne National Labs’ Mathematics and Computer Science Division. Exploring her journey from a tech-infused childhood in Chicago to pioneering roles in academia and founding the organization, CMD-IT. Dr. Taylor shares personal stories about mentorship, navigating academia as a minority, and shaping the future of computing through inclusivity and research. Get a glimpse into significant milestones in industry and academia, accentuated by her leadership in the Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:58 — 85.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Ready for a journey that will inspire and empower? Join Dr. Kyla McMullen and Dr. Jeremy Waisome as they take you behind the scenes of their game-changing podcast and nonprofit, Modern Figures Inc., dedicated to advancing diversity in STEM. In this episode, they reveal the powerful story behind the podcast’s creation, emphasizing the crucial role of community, education, and safe spaces for underrepresented minorities in computing.