Advancing Racial Equity in STEM: Dr. Ebony McGee’s Vision for a More Inclusive Innovation Landscape

Published in Vanderbilt University's "the Wond'ry"

In the world of STEM, racial diversity remains an elusive goal despite decades of efforts aimed at increasing representation. Dr. Ebony O. McGee, a leading expert on race and structural racism within the traditional STEM ecosystem, is on a mission to change this narrative. Supported by significant federal funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), her work seeks not only to highlight the barriers that Black and other minoritized students and professionals face but also to propose a transformative approach to STEM education and entrepreneurship.

The Journey of a Trailblazer

Dr. McGee's path to becoming a scholar and advocate for racial equity in STEM was shaped by her personal experiences. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, she excelled in math and science from a young age. This early success led her to pursue engineering, a field where she stood out as a rare talent among her peers. However, it was during her time working in the engineering industry that Dr. McGee became acutely aware of the racialized stereotypes and systemic racism that permeated the field. Feeling like an imposter in an environment that was not designed for her or others like her, Dr. McGee decided to pivot her career towards understanding and addressing these issues.

The Current Project: Advancing STEM Innovation Among Minoritized Students

Dr. McGee is leading an ambitious project titled "Racial Equity in STEM: Longitudinal Study of Minoritized Undergraduate Students During Research Alliance Toward STEM Entrepreneurship," which runs from September 2023 to August 2028. This initiative, funded by a $2.5 million grant from the NSF's Racial Equity in STEM Education program (Award #2315148), is designed to support minoritized students interested in STEM entrepreneurship.

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