STEMtember

It's STEMtember

This month we featured 8 amazing BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, Women of Color) in a wide variety of STEM disciplines.

We love to share the science behind the sparkle and we want to use our platform to amplify the voices and accomplishments of a community that is far too underrepresented in STEM.

What does STEM stand for?
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

SEE MORE @LIGHTBOXJEWELRY

Nicole Young, Creative tech freelancer

Nicole is wearing our 1 carat pink halo studs and matching 1/2 carat pendant⁣.

@nicoleyoung

Over the last couple of years my journey into tech has been anything but traditional. With no previous experience, I entered this field and quickly experienced imposter syndrome, microaggressions, and feelings of being left out as a Black woman in a male dominated field.⁣ ⁣ Throughout all the pressures and challenges, I was still so inspired by the tech innovation that I was surrounded by each day and found my passion on the path that I am on now. It became important to me that I shared my experiences to help empower others and to represent a demographic of people that are often overlooked and underestimated. As a result, I have found the most amazing, beautiful community that keeps me inspired and found a career that I love! -- Nicole Young

ALEXIS WILLIAMS, NYU ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE

Alexis is wearing our 1 carat blue solitaire studs and our 1 carat white princess pave pendant.

@alexisdenisew

Style and aesthetics have been a part of my STEM journey since the beginning; from fooling around with LEDs and arduino boards in high school to the responsive (and SLEEK) web dev I build today. Anything and everything I program is just as sparkly and feminine as I am, and it took me a long time to realize that I didn’t need to dial down my femininity to be a “real” software developer. I have so much love for @lightboxjewelry for spearheading the very same intersection of beauty and STEM that I am so passionate about. ⁣Representation in science, tech, engineering, and math is so important, and there is no one way to look like a mad genius. -- Alexis Williams

ADRIANNA TILTON, FSU COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Adrianna is wearing our 1 carat blue bar pendant and 1 carat blue halo earrings.

@the.fro.doc

When I was growing up, my mom worked as a cosmetologist before pursuing her nursing degree. Seeing her balance work, school, and motherhood inspired me to seek a career in STEM and become a doctor -- it helped shape me into the person I am today. While medicine is a big part of my life, having other interests has helped me immensely. For example, I bought my first camera in college and began working for a campus fashion blog shortly after. By taking pictures of students across campus and writing about new trends (all while studying for my science heavy classes), I grew an early appreciation for finding hobbies outside of medicine. Fast forward some years later, I’ve kept up with this hobby through my IG page and working with companies like @lightboxjewelry! I love how they’re blending together fashion and science with their approach to lab-grown diamonds. -- Adrianna Tilton

DR. ELISSIA TENEA, CHEMIST + POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

Elissia is wearing our 1 ct. tw. white halo studs and 1 carat blue cluster pendant⁣.

@theresearchher

You may be on your STEM journey and wondering if the challenge is worth the outcome and I am here to tell you, sis, create community, and persist. You will see the fruits of your labor and discover YOU. There were many times while working on my PhD that insecurity and uncertainty took over me. At the time, I did not know how to control these thoughts and they seemed to be my reality. My journey brightened when I began seeking counsel from other women in STEM. They validated my experience, teaching me how to navigate easier and treat myself along the way. My community has been one of the most precious treasures that transformed my wellbeing as a chemist. I am surrounded by some of the most brilliant, raw, and multifaceted people who are always speaking more life into me. It has been through creating community that I have learned to stand in my power versus running away from who I am. Our conversations are full of gems and I am amazed at how transformative my community has been. -- Elissia Tenea

Dr. Caroline Robinson, Founder/CEO Tone Dermatology⁣

Caroline is wearing our 1 carat pink halo earrings and 1 carat pink bar pendant ⁣

@crobinsonmd

As a Black woman in one of the most competitive subspecialties in medicine, I have found it empowering to advocate for more opportunities for women & girls like me. I’m proud to be part of a growing group of women and women of color in #STEM who are part of a change that will only positively impact our world. -- Dr. Caroline Robinson MD

DR. KORIE GRAYSON, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER + POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

Korie is wearing our blue moon pendant & matching blue moon studs.

@teamkorie

At the beginning of my STEM journey, I was definitely a diamond in the rough. Being a first-generation student who did not meet or even know a scientist until college, I had some work to do to uncover the potential underneath. I may have been ordinary at first, but my undergrad experience at an HBCU, filled with scientists that looked like me, gave me the push to go into a field where I can and do shine. ⁣ ⁣ My work experience at a biomedical device company revealed my affection for biomedical engineering, giving me the courage to apply for graduate school. My PhD training helped me find my scientific voice polishing me into the researcher I am today. In my new position as a postdoctoral researcher, I find true beauty in being able to help people feel more confident pursuing degrees in STEM whether it’s by demonstrating the importance of representation or advocating for underrepresented minorities and women in my community. With some continued training and polishing, I think I’m truly turning into a gem. -- Dr. Korie Grayson

FEHINTI, UGA ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Fehinti is wearing our pink solitaire pendant and matching solitaire studs⁣.

@fayyebae

Any doctors, nurses, engineers in the building? As many of y'all know, I graduated this year as a civil engineer from the University of Georgia. I know how important it is for little girls who look like me to see themselves represented in STEM. I am so excited to continue to pave the way like others have done before me. Representation Matters. Shoutout to all my amazing mentors, friends and support system. I couldn't have done it without you. -- Fehinti