2nd Annual GTSBE Magazine

GEORGIA TECH SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS

FROM GTSBE TO THE COMMUNITY ISSUE 2 2015 - 2016

artwork by preston attebery.co

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Message From the President // pg. 1 The Task Force // pg. 8 The Black Burdell // pg. 19 The Diamond Campaign // pg. 21 Afrithmetic // pg. 25 Mr. Georgia Tech // pg. 29 Balance as a Leader // pg. 33 From GTSBE to the Community // pg. 35 Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams // pg. 41 Salute to the Grads // pg. 45 Membership Statistics // pg. 47 Raianna Brown Never Stand Still // pg. 63 Xavier Strongly Elevating Every Desire// pg. 65 Sponsorship // pg. 73

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ACTIVISM BUSINESS LEADERSHIP ACADEMICS SERVICE ARTISTRY 3|

A Word from Our Leadership A message from our President, Siham Adous.

Greetings GTBSE family and Corporate Affiliates,

It has been nothing short of inspirational to have worked with such driven and passionate student leaders and members that exceedingly demonstrated that there are no limit to their capabilities. Priding ourselves in being a completely student led organization; the individuals in this organization have continued to take initiatives that exhibit their passion to fulfill the mission of the National Society of Black Engineers. This past year for the Georgia Tech chapter (GTSBE) has been exceptionally exciting one full of development, growth, and impact in our membership and our community.

Our chapter’s vision for this year was to take the foundational development of our organization and focus on exceeding the “Gold Standard” by maximizing our utilization of resources and engaging and empowering our membership to leave a larger impact than in our organization and community than ever before.

Siham Adous, President

With this vision in mind, we have been able to successfully expand our outreach in numerous avenues. Two events that highlight this expansion was our 3rd Annual Corporate Networking Social, co-sponsored with the Society of Hispanic Engineers during our first ever C-Week, and our first Charity Soccer Tournament that brought together many different demographics in one large support of a philanthropic donation. We also streamlined our communication through a new official GTSBE logo for branding, a weekly “Vector” newsletter for consistent membership updates, and a centralized website for easier information accessibility. Striving to further develop the pipeline of minorities into STEAM majors, we hosted our 3rd annual March for Education and 2nd annual STEAM expo, two large events targeting pre-collegiate students that demonstrated the importance of higher education and representation in the black community. We also developed partnership with the Office of Minority Educational Development and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to provide biweekly Scholarship Sunday StudyHalls where students were incentivized to excel academically and provided scholarship opportunities as well.

These extensive efforts by our chapter executive board to exceed our Gold Standard culminated with our attendance at the 42nd NSBE National Convention. Between the work of the leadership and membership of this organization, we were able to be recognized as the National Retention Program Large Chapter of the Year, gain regional distinction for our exceptional Technical Outreach and Community Help initiatives, win first place in technical and programming competitions, and represent the national society with the first ever Mr. NSBE pageant winner. Each of these accolades only begins to demonstrate the exceptional work the members of this organization have done to continue to innovatively expand GTSBE’s impact.

I strongly believe that there is no limit to our capabilities and these are the members and leaders that will continue to take GTSBE to immeasurable heights.

Siham Adous 2015-2016 President

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GO GOLD

The vision for GTSBE to Go GOLD this year is symbolized with the Olympic games and rings. Each ring represents a continent, with very different cultures. But the link in the rings, and the unification of each unique continent, represents the purpose and success of the games. Similarly, this year’s Go GOLD platform centers on identifying and developing our individual members’ diverse strengths, passions, and leadership capacity by engaging with the membership and highlighting each member as a unique individual asset to this organization. This sense of individual personal investment and success parallels the symbolism of each ring while also emphasizing the importance of the link in the rings that brings us all together as one unified organization and support system.

In order to fulfill this vision, we focused on engaging our membership to exceed the GOLD Standard. These initiatives included: G: Grow our Community Atlanta has one of the largest African American populations in the country. Being one of the most prestigious engineering institutions right in the heart of Atlanta, we recognized that it is extremely important that we take the initiative to continue that pipeline of underrepresented minorities entering STEM studies. In order to ensure that we continued to uplift our community as well, we hosted a series of educational programs and events that provided the information about the vast opportunities and the representation they need to see to believe they can pursue a higher education in STEM as well. Focusing on this pipeline was essential to both the chapter’s impact in our community and the national society’s mission to increase the numbers of black engineers.

O: Optimize our Skill-set Reflecting on the idea of each member representing a unique ring to our success, we made a conscious effort to develop our members’ aptitudes to far exceed the conventional resume-writing tips. We recognized that each member has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses but the key to their success was going to be optimizing on their strengths and gaining the skills to be more competitive in the job market. We heavily engaged our members to take on responsibilities through committee involvement that would grant them the opportunity to unveil their leadership capacities; we utilized our academic excellence platform to combine weekly study hall initiatives with short technical skill workshops; and furthermore, we provided corporate led workshops on how to “sell your brand” through numerous different mediums ranging from verbal communication to social media platforms.

L: Leverage our Network There is an abundance of resources, organizations, mentors, and sponsors in our immediate network that we are fortunate to have. In order to expand our impact, we focused on promoting collaborations and utilizing these resources to further impact our members. For example, we collaborated with other black student organizations to host the BSO week that promoted membership integration and networking with peers. Furthermore, this year we hosted our annual Corporate Networking Social with the Society of Hispanic Engineers and expanded the one-day networking event to a weekend full of professional development opportunities. This has helped the organization increase its transparency and awareness of our community, aid our members’ leadership development in different avenues, and optimize our growth as an organization.

D: Diversify our Membership NSBE is a professional organization that was established to cater to black engineers. GTSBE has done an excellent job of unifying the black community through its membership. Nonetheless, this year, we focused on reinvigorating the culture in a way that connects more students from all of the diverse backgrounds, largely within the international community as well, and celebrates our diversity. With our new International Chair position, we have been able to assist in chartering chapters in Africa and Germany, collaborate with the African Student Association during our International month, and work with the Office of International Education to educate our members on the opportunities to gain a global education. We recognized that there is a lot to be gained from our differences and we truly celebrated those differences through our new international awareness efforts.

Siham Adous 2015-2016 President

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Chapter Executive Board

Siham Adous

Kendall Rankin

President

Programs Chair

“I love NSBE because it’s surrounded me with inspiring mentors, friends, and family that I couldn’t imagine getting through Tech without.”

“GTSBE has provided me the academic, professional, and personal support that has made all the difference from the beginning of my college career until now.”

Shanice Saunders

Henderson Johnson II

Vice President

Parliamentarian

“I love NSBE because it has

“I love NSBE because it’s a family and a group of individuals who are like minded and dedicated to one mission.”

Kamryn Harris

Auston Kennedy

Secretary

Co-Membership Chair

become my home and challenged me to grow academically and professionally.”

“NSBE has allowed me to network with wonderful individuals and get great jobs at places like Apple!” #joinNSBE

Ayinna Onwuzuruigbo

Frank Johnson

Treasurer

Co-Membership Chair

“GTSBE’s commitment to supporting black engineers and improving life for Black students at Georgia Tech inspired me to become a part of this organization.”

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“I joined NSBE for the opportunity to grow within an exceptional community of black students, leaders, and servants.”

“I joined NSBE to gain professional experience and exposure in my engineering field.”

Chapter Executive Board

Alain Dusabe

Camera Dunn

Lambda Delta Rho Chair

Historian

“NSBE developed me as a leader by putting me in a professionally and socially successful environment with great black leaders.”

“I love NSBE because it gave me the opportunity to network and serve my community at the same time.”

Joshua Ebin

Kyle Woumn

International Chair

Finance Chair

“GTSBE is a fantastic campus student organization with global networking and professional development opportunities.”

“After every NSBE meeting, I felt empowered and knew that I could graduate, be a successful black engineer, and ultimately change the world.”

Chelsi Cocking

Niya Abdulkadir

Publications Chair

Public Relations Chair

“I joined NSBE to surround myself with people as driven, ambitious and focused as I wanted to be.”

“I love NSBE because it’s an organization that is invested in helping Black students succeed in college and the professional world!”

Xavier Galloway

Ta Nycia Wooden

Telecommunications Chair

Conference Planning Chair

“I joined NSBE because I love what it stands for and wanted to be a part of their mission.”

“I joined NSBE because of the great opportunities for black women in STEM.”

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Chapter Executive Board

Nelson Raphael Pre-Collegiate Initiative Chair “I joined NSBE in order to create opportunities for those, who are unable to or don’t have access to them.”

Renee Copeland T.O.R.C.H. Chair “I joined NSBE because I aspire to be a great Black engineer who is constantly reaching back to younger generations of future engineers.”

Brittany Brown Academic Excellence Chair “I joined NSBE to immerse myself in an engineering family that would continue to mentor and drive me to discover my full potential.”

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ACTIVISM

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STEMactivism

10,000 Black Engineers by 2025.

In October of 2010 NSBE launched their “1 in 10,000” initiative. Part of the NSBE mission, as we all know, is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers. This initiative is to have 10,000 black people graduate with a bachelor’s degree in engineering annually by the year 2025. This past year according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, just 19% of black 4th graders and 13% of 8th graders were proficient in mathematics. Back in 2005, 5.5% of 8th graders reached calculus 5 years later and in 2010 only 1.1% of black college freshmen were enrolled in an engineering program. As well as, the American Society for Engineers released in 2014 that the amount of blacks among the U.S. engineering bachelor’s degree recipients was only 3.5% and this percentage has been decreasing for the past 10 years.

NSBE is reaching out to everyone from 8th grade to collegiate level to be 1 in 10,000 before the year 2025. Also, reaching out towards the parents and supporters to help their

students see themselves as an engineer because it all starts with a role model to let them know that they are capable and intelligent enough to do whatever they set their mind to. Also, reaching out to 7th graders because the year 2025 is when they are scheduled to graduate from a 4-year college. Once the word of engineer is more common in households, the more normal and less impossible it becomes to pursue that career. Which is why another one of NSBE’s goal in this 1 in 10,000 is to have 150,000 7th graders start seeing themselves as engineers and pledge to take the core classes of engineering, chemistry, physics, and algebra.

To help the younger generation, NSBE is also expanding their summer camp program SEEK, Summer Engineering Experience for Kids. To help young black students see how STEM is fun, exciting, and ever changing. Part of the program is at the end of the week, the students have to present what they learned in some form whether it’s by a poster, a mock talk show, or a

| 10 Kiyah Crittendon, GT Alum, Class of 2015 | Photographed by: Kelley Raye

Written by: Samantha Davanzo

short skit. They get to be creative and it also helps them get to really know the material because teaching someone is the best way to know that you yourself are knowledgeable on the subject. This program shows that engineering is more than just math and science. You can be creative with your engineering by showing your innovative ways you attack problems and overcome obstacles, or showing your more artistic side with inventions that you create, the possibilities are endless.

NSBE’s mission doesn’t end here with the kids. They are discussing with various other organizations, including Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, SHPE. Taking on the task to expand their horizons and increase the number of women and engineering graduates of color to 50,000. A difficult task, but with such well-established programs, goal-driven individuals, and passionate organizations like both SHPE and NSBE, the goal is in the horizons.

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“Georgia Tech remains committed to creating an inclusive, diverse campus ... Our goal is to create a community where all students, faculty, and staff are valued and treated . with respect.”

- John M. Stein, Vice president of Student Life and Dean of Students

Georgia Tech’s Black Student Life Task Force

GTSBE is very proud to count amongst our membership and leadership individuals who demonstrate tremendous commitment to improving the collective experience of black students on our campus. Georgia Tech formed a Black Student Experience Task Force of students, faculty, and administration to identify, describe, and design solutions for the challenges that black students face on our campus. The Task Force was formed in response to an incident of racial harassment that occurred on campus in August of 2015. A young black woman was walking past the house of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity when some of the brothers yelled an extremely foul racial slur at her from a window of the house. Naturally, black students were incensed and the incident gained enormous traction and attention almost immediately.

Several students, including many active GTSBE members, met with administration to address this incident as well as the larger context of discrimination and marginalization that the incident fits into. In response to the emotions and concerns of black students, the Task Force was created.

Written by: Auston Kennedy

Our current parliamentarian Henderson Johnson; current Pre-Collegiate Initiative chair Nelson Raphael; former membership chair Alexis Coates; and members Zion Thomas and Nagela Nukuna are five of the six members of the Task Force.

They had already displayed their commitment to uplifting and supporting the community by serving through GTSBE and other organizations. The Task Force is in many ways a culmination of those efforts, as the work of the group could potentially result in long-lasting fundamental changes to the ways the Institute promotes diversity and inclusion, handles the rights of the accused in cases of student misconduct, and goes about constructing and maintaining due process in its student judicial system.

GTSBE takes the cultural responsibility dimension of the NSBE mission very seriously. As a member organization of the Georgia Tech community, we are heavily invested in the business of the Institute, especially where student life and campus climate are concerned. It is our responsibility to place ourselves at the forefront of advocacy efforts for black students. The driving force behind the work that we do is not only the NSBE mission, but also an understanding that we represent an extremely small minority with a long history of being of discriminated against, marginalized, and disenfranchised. With that context in mind, we do the work that supports and uplifts black students both on and off our campus, even when that work falls outside our conventional purview.

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Caitlyn Britt 2nd year | Computer Science | Lawrenceville, Georgia

What does the NSBE mission mean to you?

To me, NSBE’s mission is a decision to actively work to invest in the black community. I think the mission strives to make it normal for kids to say they want to be engineers when they grow up, and to empower black students to strive through the difficulty that accompanies doing so. By creating culturally responsible, academic, and professional black engineers, NSBE is playing a part in changing the face of blacks in corporate America, and the face of corporate America itself.

What are you professional/career goals?

In whatever I do, I want to utilize computer science skills to benefit and help people.

Whether that be through cyber security, user interface, network connection, robotics, or another facet of computer science, I want to ultimately create something that will make someone’s life easier, better, or more enjoyable What has been your favorite GTBSE/NSBE moment?

My favorite moment was the Region III Fall Regional Conference in Memphis. It was motivating to see so many educated, ambitious, black intellectuals in one place, and to see the strong presence and community that is present within GTSBE. I felt proud to be part of such a large organization, and even more proud to be part of what I think is the best chapter of it—GTSBE. How has GTSBE helped you achieve your goals? Whether personal, academic, or career wise.

The greatest thing GTSBE has given me is a strong support system. It’s clear that everyone not only wants to better themselves, but also see those around them succeed.

GTSBE has surrounded me with people who have prepared me for corporate interactions, helped me become a better student, and shown me that I matter, and can really make a difference. Coming into my first year, my main goal was to walk away with an internship.

GTSBE has helped me to build myself professionally through resume help, interview tips, career fair advice, and has also provided opportunities for me to interact with corporate recruiters. Thanks to all that I’ve learned, I’m happy to say I’ll be interning this summer!

What advice would you give to other GTSBE members?

Take advantage of all the opportunities GTSBE provides for you. You can really benefit so much by just attending events, and interacting with the other people in the organization.

GTSBE opened me up to a strong, welcoming community and provided me with a strong support system. Make sure you allow yourself to take part in that!

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Joshua Suttle 4th year | Mechanical Engineering | Tyrone, Georgia

What has been your favorite GTBSE/NSBE moment?

During the March for Education, when I gave a personal tour to the kids after the activities. Seeing their expressions and hearing their questions after seeing campus was a cloud 9 experience.

What research or projects have you been working on?

My senior design project is to create an All Sky Telescope to track space debris orbiting the earth. This system will be subjected to extremely cold temperatures, when its deployed to both the Arctic and Antarctic regions for a 4 month period. So, we are implementing ways to maintain an ideal temperature environment, and ways to protect the cameras from harsh storms.

What do you hope to do/achieve after graduation?

My dream job is to be an Imagineer for Disney, so my hope is to start my career with them after graduation. I believe that Imagineers have the most entertaining job out there. So applying my engineering degree at Disney, would simply be amazing!

Where have you co-oped, interned or worked? What was most enjoyable about that experience?

I worked at GTRI for almost two years now as a student assistant. Being a student assistant means that I work part time when I’m taking classes, and that has been a process I had to figure out. However the concepts I learn and apply at work, have really benefited me in my classes. My most enjoyable experience, is being able to see designs from CAD to physical model.

What advice would you give to other GTSBE members?

I would encourage people to chase their dreams no matter how impossible it may seem. To never allow someone else to tell you what you can and cannot do. Lastly never compromise who you are, for the benefit of other people or things.

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BUSINESS

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Black entrepreneurs and Black owned businesses and initiatives of Georgia Tech.

CURRENT STUDENTS Afrithmetic The Diamond Campaign DJ HP Ryn Productions TJ Funso Photography Xavier Vivid Imagery

ALUMNI The Black Burdell The Bombchel Factory Cam James Myavana Rica G The Scheme Team Techturized Wish for Wash

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Career Week for Diversity

Career Week for Diversity (cWeek) gave minority students an environment to learn, develop, and put to practice their professional skills during the career fair week.

This was accomplished through uniting two pre-existing events: GT-SHPE’s Career Forum and GTSBE’s Corporate Networking Social (CNS).

The career forum prepared members for their professional endeavors by bringing in companies to present on essential skills.

These included elevator pitches, interviewing skills, company researching, how to navigate a career fair. CNS provided an opportunity for students to meet one on one with recruiters in a smaller, more relaxed setting. This took away the pressures of the career fair and allowed students to better represent themselves through mingling and speed-networking.

Lead Organizer(s) - Niya Abdulkadir, Juan Tovar & Joaquin Alvarez.

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Black Women in STEAM

The annual BWIS luncheon continues its tradition of creating a comfortable environment in which to dine and discuss. Lovely ladies from both GTSBE’s past and present gathered with moderators to explore the life of black women today and their experiences in STEM fields. Coupled with conversation on why so many women turn away from the sciences, we took the opportunity to motivate one another despite the challenges presented by this particular field of study.

Lead Organizer(s) - Kendall Rankin and her committee.

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Norman L. Harris II 1st year | Aerospace Engineering | Kennesaw, Georgia | President of Lambda Delta Rho (LDR)

What does the NSBE mission mean to you?

The NSBE mission reads, “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.� I exhibit my interpretation of this mission in my college life in various ways. I strive to excel in the classroom when I reach out to black students in the community and black students yearning to attend Tech, I want to be an example of success and show that black students can excel at the collegiate level.

What are you professional/career goals?

I hope to be working in the aerospace field innovating flight technology for industries such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin or Northrup Grumman. However, my biggest dream is that my professional success allows me either start or endorse an academic program aimed at cultivating black youth in the areas of STEM so that they can matriculate into high-level engineering institutions.

What type of leader are you?

Being elected President of Lambda Delta Rho, the freshman program within GTSBE has helped me better understand my identity as a leader. I am most effective as a leader when I act to serve the general body of LDR and the Executive Board of LDR. This attribute of servant leadership encourages other members of the executive board and general body to act outside of their set roles and increases the capabilities of the organization.

How has GTSBE helped you achieve your goals? Whether personal, academic, or career wise.

Immersing myself within GTSBE as an active member and President of Lambda Delta Rho has allowed me to pursue my collegiate goals in multiple areas. However, in the sphere of my career goals, the professional aspect of GTSBE has helped culture my ability to advertise myself to recruiters in person and on paper. In addition, I have grown immensely in my ability to network and locate new resources for myself. My development of these specific skills has helped me achieve my goal of attaining an internship as a freshman within the field of aerospace.

What do you hope to do/achieve after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to enter the industry and cultivate my skills in the aerospace field. I am undecided on whether I will apply to graduate school in order to further my learning in the field of aerospace.

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The Black Burdell Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship

“Based in the Mecca of African-American-owned tech firms and the city that boasts the second highest percentage of African-American-owned businesses, The Black Burdell aims to nurture the many seeds of black-owned businesses. Founded by three African American Entrepreneurs from the Georgia Institute of Technology – Brandon Miller, Darren Sanders and Henderson Johnson II are utilizing their recently founded nonprofit to promote, support and cultivate black student entrepreneurs.”

- as seen on blavity.com

T

he Black Burdell is a collegiate entrepreneurship and scholarship initiative that has the potential to revolutionize the way black people go about creating and securing economic and financial opportunity for themselves. The initiative was founded by our current parliamentarian Henderson Johnson and former students Darren Wilson and Brandon Miller. The three are bound by a shared belief that by equipping black people with the tools to empower themselves economically and financially, we can transform our communities and be more effective in combating disenfranchisement at all levels.

Darren was a business major, having always known that economic and financial literacy would be necessary cornerstones in his personal path to success. Brandon and Henderson studied engineering, but the entrepreneurial spirit was strong enough in each of them that they decided to augment their technical and scientific-oriented training here at Tech with management minors. All of the Black Burdell founders were inspired by the numerous businesses, initiatives, programs, and movements that had been started by various black students and alumni. They felt that entrepreneurial spirit applied to more than just business, but to any of the aforementioned kinds of efforts that required organization, people, and professional skills.

To the founders, Georgia Tech’s famous fictitious student George P. Burdell, a longtime campus tradition meant to represent the spirit of the student body, embodied black excellence and the entrepreneurial values of tenacity, creativity, and passion.

GTSBE is in many ways an entrepreneurial venture. With the critical support of our corporate sponsors, we organize and fund our own events, programs, and initiatives using the skills, talents, and perspectives of a board of tenacious, creative, and passionate individuals that lead a highly engaged membership. Thus, GTSBE is very proud to be a conduit for the change that the Black Burdell is trying to make.

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Founders (left to right) Henderson Johnson, Brandon Miller, Darren Sanders at a general body meeting for the Georgia Tech Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

We have invited them to speak at our meetings and events and have helped them organize and host their own events on campus. We will also be partnering with the Black Burdell on our first annual Small Business Fair, during which our membership will interact with black entrepreneurs in engineering from around the Atlanta area.

We’re excited to see the Black Burdell continue to grow and work to transform our communities, from Tech to around to Atlanta to all over the country.

Written by: Auston Kennedy

“Georgia Tech entrepreneur, Michole Washington, credits The Black Burdell on influencing her to start her company, Afrithmetic. “The Black Burdell’s workshops and resources were without a doubt an influential part of making my company… The support and motivation was needed and The Black Burdell stepped onto Tech’s campus right on time!” Washington added, “Afrithmetic was just a blemish until The Black Burdell told me I could change the face of entrepreneurship.”

- as seen on blavity.com 23 |

The Diamond Campaign Female self-love initiative founded by Kendal Rankin, 3rd year, ISYE, GTSBE Programs Chair

When Kendall was a freshman she never dreamed that an idea she had while talking with her roommate would become a huge sensation. The Diamond Campaign, a self-love initiative focused on empowering young minority women as they embark on this journey called life. Self-confidence is an issue that is easily overlooked and swept under the rug. With so much focus on increasing STEM engagement, especially in minority communities, people often forget to acknowledge the social aspect that is just as important.

Issues of self-confidence do not just affect one demographic. They are extremely prevalent amongst all women in some way, even those we admire the most.

Kendall and her team believe in uplifting the female community through words of encouragement, promoting the value of self-love, and in spreading all-around positive vibes. They use the 4 C’s of Self-Love as their guiding light. The C’s are cut: Body image, Color: Personality, Carat: Self-worth, and Clarity: Vision for the future.

“It’s about genuinely loving yourself at all times of the day, during any circumstance, no matter what another person tries to lead you to believe. Taking the time to build and strengthen your self-confidence is one of the most difficult yet necessary life changes you can make. Our goal is to encourage girls and women to embark on a journey of self love.”- Kendall Rankin

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“The Diamond Campaign is an opportunity to be the highlight of another lady’s day. These days, it’s easy to lose sight of your true worth and to only focus on the aspects of yourself that are lacking. The Diamond Campaign is here to remind the women in our community that they are each beautiful, unique and valued.” - TJ Funso

Many of the members of the premier group are also members of the Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers. They feel that the organization has helped them in time management and professional development.

Written by: TaNycia Wooden

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Karri Thomas 3rd year | Civil Engineering | Stone Mountain, Georgia

What does the NSBE mission mean to you?

The NSBE mission serves as a reassurance that my peers, colleagues, and I are working toward the common goal of our advancement in STEM fields as a community. Although NSBE allows individuals to benefit directly from the organization, the mission also recognizes that it is important to extend that reach to others and help them to do the same.

How has GTSBE helped you achieve your goals? Whether personal, academic, or career wise.

My participation in GTSBE has certainly impacted me in different ways. This organization has helped me gain internships that have given me better insight into what I’d like to pursue career-wise once I am done with school. In addition, being involved on the TORCH committee has allowed me to help my community, which has always been something that’s important to me.

Have you ever studied abroad? If so what was your favorite part of that experience ?

During the Spring 2016 semester, I participated in Georgia Tech’s Pacific Study Abroad Program, which travels to New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. The trip was my first time being abroad, and it was amazing to experience several different cultures firsthand. Some great memories from the program included meeting the Prime Minister of New Zealand, snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef, and petting koalas and kangaroos!

Where have you co-oped, interned or worked? What was most enjoyable about that experience?

My first internship was with Norfolk Southern Corporation, where I had my first exposure to real life applications of the things I have been learning in my civil engineering classes at Tech. During this time, I was also able to meet other Black professionals, and it was great to see people like me succeeding in the workplace. Soon, I will be starting an internship with Jacobs Engineering Group -- I can’t wait for the experience!

What advice would you give to other GTSBE members?

I urge my fellow members to take advantage of all that GTSBE has to offer. As a member of this organization, we are fortunate to have access to so much: co-ops and internships, scholarships, and opportunities to network... It’s up to us to utilize them!

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AFRI THM ETIC

“an experience driven by mathematics to cultivate the true potential in all students.”

As early as fifth grade, Michole Washington knew she had an affinity for mathematics. She found herself constantly curious to learn more on the subject and as she matured, she decided on pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics with a concentration in Business. Since her freshman year at the Georgia Institute of Technology, she has been heavily involved in a number of outreach initiatives on campus. Serving as the Pre-Collegiate Initiative Chair of the Georgia Tech Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, she has had many opportunities to positively impact the lives of many children and young adults. Afrithmetic is the culmination of all of Michole’s passion and hard work.

“Every day I am not putting Afrithmetic to a larger purpose is just another day another beautiful black or brown mind is not being valued, appreciated, or told ‘they can do it.’

Every day I am not trying to make a difference is another day an underpaid, frustrated teacher miscommunicates how to collect like terms to a potentially bright student.

Then from that point on the student matriculates through a slippery education system that bypasses the importance of mastery in favor of state standardized multiple choice exams. These thoughts, and the similar, are constantly on my mind as I am attempting to dedicate the rest of my life to ensure every student who looks like me or doesn’t look like me is truly receiving a fair and honest education so they, too, can pursue their grandest dreams.”

- Michole Washington | 28

The vision of Afrithmetic is to advance students’ understanding of mathematics from basic 1+1 to improved self-esteem, enhance career opportunities, and increase potential for success. The mission is to develop and enhance students’ confidence with all levels of mathematics through 1-on-1, in-home interactive sessions that simultaneously promote positive personal development.

Michole believes that every child should have the opportunity to succeed. That is why she has put forth an enormous effort to promote math education in the black community. Many children learn at an early age to equate poor math skills to low expectations and failure. Michole plans to help improve the self-esteem of her clients while working on their math skills. She believes that there is a positive correlation in believing in yourself and succeeding not only in math but in life as a whole.

GTSBE has played a big part in supporting Michole throughout her journey. She credits the leadership and support from the organization as a reason for her current success. Michole recognizes that there are disparities in education from first-hand experience. Afrithmetic is just her first step towards making the change we need.

Written by: TaNycia Wooden

An Interview with Michole Washington What is your vision for Afrithmetic? Where do you want to take it?

Afrithmetic is my baby of a series of initiatives I plan to implement over the course of my life. I want to shape it to a point of sustainability that allows many college students to practice their tutoring and mentoring skills and continues to expose the beauty and possible simplicity of math critical thinking skills for our young students. I have recently acquired a solid passionate team to help mature Afrithmetic. We will advance students’ understanding of Mathematics from 1+1 to improved self-esteem, enhanced career opportunities, and increase their potential for success.

When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in math?

This realization came about during my senior year of high school when it was time to start applying for college and scholarships. All the way up until my junior year I was set on attending Tuskegee University to pursue a Veterinarian career track. This aspiration quickly dissipated once I took AP Biology. Since biology did not work in my favor there was a period of time where I was not quite sure if I should even go to college. Senior year I enrolled in AP Calculus and absolutely fell in love with the content, rigor, and longed to learn more about its intricacies. After some thorough research I discovered that not only majoring in mathematics, but a career in mathematics was actually a fad. Four years later in December I will be the only African-American female graduating from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Mathematics.

What has been some challenges being a black woman in STEM? And how have you fought against them?

Every challenge I have faced as a black woman in STEM has also been a once in a lifetime opportunity as a black woman in STEM. Black women are even more disproportionately represented in Mathematics than many other STEM fields. From the 1980s to the end of the 1990s the number of black women earning terminal degrees (Ph. D’s) in mathematics every year remained in the single digits. What is most perplexing about knowing you are one of few black female mathematicians is being too aware of that fact. There was a point I internalized this so much that I developed a fear of being successful in the field. I was so strung out on being alone and no one understanding my identity struggles that I could not take the additional time to focus on my studies. Instead of trying to really comprehend what my professor was showing me in office hours I could not stop thinking “Wow, I cannot do this. There’s no way. This white man does not understand what else I am dealing with here.

Maybe this subject is not meant for someone like me.” How did I overcome this? I had to recalibrate my purpose. I lost track of why I loved mathematics. I did not pursue a degree in mathematics to be the only black woman at Tech doing so. I decided to pursue a degree in mathematics because I embody all of the desire to know more about math as any white male in this field, but I just so happen to be a black woman. “One of the biggest challenges that I face is defining myself as opposed to being defined by others” – Carol Moseley Braun.

What made you decide to start a tutoring business?

I attend a world-renown engineering institute in the heart of the south where it is preached daily where there is a problem, fix it. Why is it that I progressed through mathematics with ease from elementary all the way up to AP Calculus, but many of my peers struggled from year to year to grasp the foundational concepts. There are obviously some unmet needs for the minority communities in order to succeed in any STEM field and one of the most prevalent is their internal fear of mathematics. Think about the first time you asked your parent or guardian for help on some math homework. Was there not a scrunching of their nose and depth of fear in the center of their eyes? Children can easily sense these type of intense emotions and once they internalize these reactions they can find it acceptable and normal for math to intimidate them. This does not have to be the case. Afrithmetic is meant to challenge this misconception of mathematics by giving students the opportunity to enjoy math like any other subject whether they choose to pursue a STEM career or not. If they can not find the comfort within their classroom to explore this discipline then Afrithmetic will show them exactly how phenomenal math is.

Any advice to those pursuing a math major, or any other STEM degree?

“The hardest person to lead is yourself.” –Bill George This quote is 99.999% factual. Every piece of “math” you learned in K-12 is just the alphabet of a language so immense and complex that you need 13 years to play around with the basics. There’s no coincidence that you learn how to add fractions in elementary and then are expected to use that skill in partial fraction decomposition when integrating in calculus. If you were good with manipulating this alphabet of math and thoroughly asked yourself from time to time why these letters meshed the way they do then you’ll probably LOVE a degree in math at any level. Advanced mathematics is less numerical as many may not believe. You will write hundreds of proof and truly dive into actual mathematics. It is hard because it is one of the most abstract disciplines on the collegiate level. If you have the drive and determination to push yourself to unlock these concepts even when you 100% do not understand anything (I still can not make sense of Abstract Algebra) then a degree in math may work for you. There were several times over the last four years I almost switched my major, considered changing schools, and cried endlessly with hope that everything would work out. Eventually it did. Being a math major is hand downs one of the most challenging things I have endured, but it has equally been one of the most rewarding How has your involvement in GTSBE helped you in your STEM journey?

PCI! PCI! PCI! Everything related to PCI was the initial driving force of my desire to pursue a career all about STEAM outreach.

My sophomore year I was immensely involved with the PCI committee then chaired by Siham Adous, our current GTSBE President. Assisting with all of her goals and visions for our K-12 affiliates unlocked an intrinsic motivation for myself. The following year I even worked up enough courage to proudly serve as the 2014-2015 PCI Chair. This position allowed me to build an even stronger network of resources with schools in the immediate Atlanta area as well as implement events to expose students to STEAM careers. With great support from my fellow board members and PCI committee I took my NSBE duties to the next level as the PCI Mini-Conference Coordinator for the 2015 Fall Regional Conference. My involvement with GTSBE has catapulted my skill set professionally as it takes an overwhelming chunk of my resume. I will forever and always STEAMline the pipeline between our students and higher education.

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LEADERSHIP

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Lambda Delta Rho 2015 - 2016

L

Lambda Delta Rho, also known as LDR is the freshman sector of GTSBE. Although LDR is a component of GTSBE, everything within the organization is done independently within the elected executive board and its general body. This includes raising money for events—from scratch, organizing events and service projects, and planning meetings.

This year’s 2015-16 LDR is awarded for setting a record for raising the most money before any planned events with a total of over two hundred dollars! This immense success continued into LDR’s

first fundraising venture; Clash of the Classes. Class years were put against each other to see which class could raise the most money and the winning class won from a selection of luxury gifts. The competition lasted a month ending in a total profit of six hundred dollars for Lambda Delta Rho.

Success for LDR was not only found in their bank account but amongst the members. Lambda Delta Rho’s very own e-board member Maria Yagnye won the Georgia Tech African American Student Association Rising Freshman Leader Award. Over half of LDR’s general body members ended their Fall 2015 semester with grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

The organization’s first social event Speed Dating gave a template for how to plan future events.

Once LDR knew the power of good promotion and connections, they knew they could have 99 problems but people showing up weren’t one.

The member’s teamwork, organi-

zation, and leadership roles were tested when it came to planning events such as the annual LDR Date Auction. Members needed to find a venue, a date that did not fall on “hell week”, and recruit participants and an audience in only a few short weeks. With lots of hard work, the event ended in immense success and was one of the year’s biggest events.

Lambda Delta Rho continues to push its members to use the skills such as money and time management, organization, and teamwork attained at meetings and events to because successful leaders and engineers in society.

Written by: Dasia Smith & LDR

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source: news.gatech.edu

MR. GEORGIA TECH “Henderson embodies the characteristics someone needs to be successful at Georgia Tech,” Pittard says. “You need to be able to embrace challenge, have a high-energy, high-level attitude, and be able to focus on the purpose of what you’re doing.”

- Missy Pittard, Ms. Georgia Tech 2016 source: news.gatech.edu

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Henderson Johnson II and Missy Pittard took the spotlight after a whirlwind 2015 Homecoming weekend. Becoming Mr. & Ms. Georgia Tech is no small feet, and no simple popularity contest. “You’re basically standing in line with the giants of Georgia Tech,” Henderson Johnson II explains. “Even being chosen as a finalist is just so big. You never think it could be you.” Finalists have to meet academic requirements and demonstrate how they have positively impacted Georgia Tech’s campus community. They also undergo two rigorous rounds of interviews conducted by Georgia Tech faculty and staff, including a 15-minute presentation. If you can make it through the first two rounds, then you make it to the campus wide student vote.

In short, the process is no cakewalk. Pittard and Johnson stood shoulder to shoulder with giants such as a former SGA president, and a student who launched two startup companies. But, after the interviews were finished and the votes were tallied, they were selected as the 2016 Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech.

Johnson is an aerospace engineering major who has interned twice with Boeing and worked with the company’s space launch program. Johnson sunk to the ground after his name was announced as the new Mr. Georgia Tech.

“My mom had to grab my arms,” he recalls.

“The rest was really a blur.”

Except for the moment when he was riding in the Ramblin’ Wreck and spotted his friends screaming cheering for him in the student section.

“All of that hard work, all of that support. I felt it from them,” he says. “We did this. I’m Mr. Georgia Tech, but we did this.”

When Pittard and Johnson met at midfield as the new Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech, they were coming face to face with a familiar friend.

Both serve as student ambassadors for Georgia Tech.

We took the time to sit down with Henderson Johnson II, our current Parliamentarian, past Membership Chair, and past Programs Chair, to ask him about his time and experience and Mr. Georgia Tech.

Q: What made you decide to run for Mr. Georgia Tech?

Johnson: “When I came to Georgia Tech my freshman year, Jacob Tzegaegbe was the current Mr. Georgia Tech, and I immediately resolved myself to become Mr. Georgia Tech. So you could say, I’d committed to this decision the moment I came to Tech. Over the years, I worked to set myself apart and joined various organizations, such as GTSBE, so that by the time it came to actually run, I’d had an amazing experience that I was ready to share.”

Q: What has been your favorite part/experience of being Mr. Georgia Tech so far?

Johnson: “The best part has really been hearing how I have inspired others to achieve their dreams. It’s funny because I also don’t remember them announcing my name on the field. I just remember getting in the Wreck and then getting out of the Wreck.”

Johnson plans to continue his education at Georgia Tech, working on his master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Pittard has landed a dream career working as a management consultant upon graduation.

But before these two Georgia Tech giants head out into the world, they have year to continue the legacies they’ve built here on campus, just with a new title to add to their resumes. source: news.gatech.edu

Q: You have been involved in GTSBE at a leadership level for a few years now, what made you decide to get so involved with the chapter?

Johnson: “One of my leadership philosophies is to go where I’m needed. My sophomore year as Programs Chair, I thought I had a good understanding of what it took to put on successful programs, so I decided to do that. The next year as Membership Chair, no one else was running for the position, and I had the skill-set to do it, so I said why not. Now, I wanted to do Parliamentarian because it is a position that requires an understanding of NSBE, which I’d gained over the past couple of the years. Plus, I was also involved in LDR as the Academic Excellence chair my freshman year.”

source: youtube.com/georgiatech Missy Pittard and her father and Henderson Johnson II and his mom. Photo: Elliott Brockelbank

Q: How has your involvement in GTSBE impacted your career at Tech?

Johnson: “My consistent involvement has helped me stay grounded in the Black community and allowed me to serve as an advocate for us as well. It also connected me with people in my major that would eventually pass on all their old knowledge, and serve as my mentors which has allowed me to be as academically successful as I have been.”

Q: Being the 4th Black Mr. Georgia Tech, how does that impact you as a person?

Johnson: “It’s a pretty awesome experience. For me, the impact has been personal in that it has helped me determine who I am to Georgia Tech. Me being Mr. Georgia Tech is to show Black students that they can really be who they want to be. There is so much value in seeing someone that looks like you doing what you want to do. I would be remiss not to mention how thankful I am for Cedric Stallworth, Luqman, and Jacob Tzegaegbe for paving the way and giving me shoulders to stand on.”

source: news.gatech.edu Henderson Johnson, II sinks to the ground after his name was announced as the new Mr. Georgia Tech. Photo: Elliott Brockelbank

Q: How have you used your position as Mr. Georgia Tech to impact the Tech community and the Black community at Tech?

Johnson: “It was great being able to defend our Institution and President Peterson from State Rep. Ehrhart in our Open Letter to him in the Technique. For the Black community, it’s much like what I said earlier: You too, can be Mr. Georgia Tech.”

Henderson Johnson II, Mr. Georgia Tech 2016 campaign photo.

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TJ’s

KEYS to success “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Marianne Williamson

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#AnotherOne #Keys #WalkWithMeThruThePathwayToMoreSuccess

When I started at Georgia Tech in 2012 I was your typical wideeyed, freshman student. I was both unsure of what I could achieve and full of the desire to be successful. Now, four years later, I look back at all the opportunities I’ve seized, the experiences I’ve grown from and the lessons I’ve learned, and I’m truly amazed.

Georgia Tech is a place where successful students come to become impactful leaders, both in their fields and their communities. My community here at Georgia Tech has lifted me up in the hard times, encouraged me to believe in my capabilities, and inspired me to achieve more than I ever would have imagined. My community has also taught me about who I am, challenged me to stay true to myself and reinforced my self-confidence, allowing me to find my voice and to speak my mind, regardless of opposition. I owe this Georgia Tech for helping me realize that success isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey and the impact made en route to that destination. So now, walk with me on this journey to more GT success.

The keys to success at Georgia Tech are: 1. Keep your head above the water, expect the expected.

2. Have good relationships, don’t worry about “They”.

3. Don’t play yourself.

Keep your head above the water, expect the expected. This key is pretty self explanatory. Be prepared because Winners Prepare. If you take the time to put all your course material and extra curricular activities on a calendar, it will be easy to see you have four tests, two projects, and twenty-seven meetings scheduled for the third week of classes. If you fail to plan ahead, waves of unforeseen obstacles can easily knock you out of the winners’ circle.

Have good relationships. This

key is crucial to success at Georgia Tech. Past the academic knowledge and professional skills you will undoubtedly gain while at Georgia Tech, the relationships you build are the most important take-a-ways from your undergraduate time here. These relationships will be with life long friends that will love and support you, mentors that will constantly appear in your life to guide and assist you, colleagues that will have the power to connect you with great opportunities to move you towards your goals, and people following behind you, who you have the duty to empower and uplift. It is most critical for you to maintain strong relationships with the circle of people identified as your “success team”. The members of your “success team” are the people who care to see you reach your full potential. Don’t worry about “They”. If you don’t know “’They” are the people who are not on your “success team”. Instead of worrying about “They” you should focus your energy on improving yourself and stepping closer and closer towards your goals.

Any time spent focused on people who are not lifting you up or helping you improve is time wasted.

Don’t play yourself. This might be the most important key of all. You must discover your passions and own them. Your biggest opposition will always be your own self doubt until you activate your self-confidence. When you start to realize the brilliance you have within yourself it will become impossible to be stagnant. A person with vision, passion and self-confidence has only one option, progress.

TL;DR The keys to success at Georgia Tech are:

1. Keep your head above the water, expect the expected.

2. Have good relationships, don’t worry about “They”.

Written by: TJ Funso Georgia Tech Student Ambassador Former GTSBE Chapter Executive Board Member

3. Don’t play yourself.

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BALANCE as a leader.

Written by D’Andre Waller.

Georgia Tech Student Ambassador Former GTSBE Chapter Executive Board Member Student Government Association Mechanical Engineering Representative Member of Omicron Delta Kappa FASET Leader Entrepreneur + much more

Without a doubt, I love, with my whole heart the Georgia Institute of Technology. In my experiences as a student and a leader in the Georgia Tech community, I’ve been allowed to learn so many things about myself and grow through my negative and positive experiences. From my very first semester, coming in and immediately find community within the BSO through GTSBE to my older years being a leader on a campus wide scale, Georgia Tech has taught me so much about how to lead and have impact on others. What I value most, is the relationships and the insights.

If you were to ask me what’s the most important lesson I’ve learned…. without a doubt I’d say that lesson is to have balance. Balance is defined formally as 1) a state of equilibrium or equipoise or 2) mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc. Quite simply, balance is having an understanding that there are multiple things to consider in terms of the things you want to do, are capable of doing, and have the time to do. There are many different ways in which to apply balance, however PASSION is the underlying driving force in all applications of balance. Your passions should guide you no matter what. Based on my experiences, I’ll talk about different ways that I’ve found balance to be necessary.

Balancing Identities and Communities First and foremost, I am a black man, but I also consider myself a part of the larger Yellow Jacket community. Due to these dual identities, I have been able to find joy in leading both inside and outside of the BSO. No matter how you identify, whether that be in terms of race, religion, gender, sexuality, occupation, socio-economic status, etc. | 36

“As a well-balanced Yellow Jacket, you are pretty much unstoppable.”

- D’Andre Waller

you have to understand how those identities play a role in how you lead. As I said, passion is your driving force to find balance, so you have to look at how your identities influence causes you are passionate about. From there, that should drive your leadership engagement and how much time/energy you put into certain spaces.

Balancing Life with Leadership For the sake of your overall well being, it is crucial that you have life balance. As a student leader, you have to remember that other things matter. Your health (physical and mental), academics, social life, and personal time matter just as much as your leadership engagement. On occasion when I’ve had negative experiences, it usually comes from a time when I’ve let my life fall out of balance. That can be either committing to a heavy course load, taking on too many extracurriculars, not finding time to exercise or getting little sleep, and a myriad of other terrible things for college students. It is absolutely impossible to do well when committing 20% to 5-6 things vs giving your best effort at 2 or 3 things. College is by default a highly stressful environment and adding on to that stress can take a huge toll on you. Be aware of your self care just as much as you are aware of your commitments.

Balancing Your Leadership Styles A huge key to being a highly effective leader, is to understand yourself and leaderships style personally. Each of us has our natural talents and skills we’ve acquired that allow us to succeed in different ways. Some of my best leadership experiences have involved some kind of self reflection survey or assessment and an understanding of how to leverage the results. Some of my personal favorites are Myers-Briggs, VIA, and especially Strengths Finder.

Personally, my top 5 strengths are Command, Futuristic, Relator, Strategic, and Individualization. Sometimes my strengths compliment each other and sometimes they contrast. What’s important is to recognize that sometimes you can use your strengths in the wrong way and it be negative. In leadership, different situations and problems warrant different solutions.

In the long run, the earlier on you can master balance, the more effective and happy you will be. For the most part, good leaders perform well because they are doing what makes them happy. If what you need and what makes you happy are in sync, you are bound to find success. At Georgia Tech, no matter who you are, you can immerse yourself in something you’re passionate about. As a well-balanced Yellow Jacket, you are pretty much unstoppable.

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From GTSBE to the Community.

Letter from the Editor.

artwork by preston attebery.co

To say that this year has been an impactful year for GTSBE would be an understatement. The purpose of GTSBE is not only to fulfill the NSBE mission, but to also mold the Black students of Georgia Tech’s campus into future leaders, impresarios, and servants, and this year has been a true testimony of that purpose. From service, to entrepreneurship, to academic success, to artistry, GTSBE students have spread their impact to all sides of the community. For that our leadership, and our membership are proud. This is why this year’s magazine committee has chosen the theme of this issue to be “From GTSBE to the Community.”

As this year’s committee and I were reflecting, the accolades of our membership kept arising to the forefront of discussion. We realized our membership, alumni and connections have impacted the outward community in several different ways. We were able to narrow this impact down into six organized categories: Activism, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Academics, Service and Artistry.

Activism This year has been a gripping year for Georgia Tech’s Black Community. Following allegations of a Black student | 38

being verbally assaulted with racial slurs by a fraternity on campus, Georgia Tech’s Black community felt both enraged and unsafe. But through negativity, came unity and progression. The Black community on campus came together to raise our voices and concerns through a peaceful protest that made national news. The demonstration garnered the attention of the institution’s head G.P. “Bud” Peterson, and brought this on going issue to light for him.

He formed a task force comprised of students, faculty, and staff to examine the issues related to the African-American student experiences at Georgia Tech. I am proud to see the continuous movement that has been garnered by our Black students and institution’s leader towards a campus that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive for all.

GTSBE is proud to have many of its members and leader be a part of this task force.

Business (Entrepreneurship) Entrepreneurs have been surfacing form left and right within GTSBE’s community to achieve missions that are stem-ming from all walks of life. From female empowerment, to the enrichment of the African American educational experience, to empowering Black-owned businesses, GTSBE students having been adding the words “founder” and “CEO” to their roster in order to tackle these issues.

Leadership In my opinion, the students of Black community at Georgia Tech are one of the most diverse group of leaders you will ever come upon. If you are looking for a well rounded, polished, idiosyncratic personality, you will them here within Georgia Tech’s Black community. Our leadership expanses Georgia Tech Student Ambassadors, Student Government Association, national leadership societies, Georgia Tech’s Student Foundation, amongst many others.

This year GTSBE is proud to call an executive board member, Mr. Georgia Tech.

Academics While also expanding these leadership roles, GTSBE students never forget the main purpose of why they are here: their education. GTSBE is here as a resource for students to make sure that their academic success stays a primary focus. This year through events such as Scholarship Sundays and our GOLD Scholarships, GTSBE has been here to aid in the academic success of its members. However, we cannot forget our resources, mentors and role models such as Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams, and the Center for Engineering Education and Diversity, just to name a few. We are thankful for all those who have been here to guide us through to success in our academic careers and push our members to be re-searchers, masters, Ph. Ds, GEM fellows, NSF fellows, and successful Black engineers.

Service With all this said, we cannot forget to reach back to those who are not within the same privilege that we are at Georgia Tech. Through our Technical Outreach and Community Help (T.O.R.C.H.) programs and Pre Collegiate Initiative (P.C.I) we are able to reach back and impact our community as an organization. In the past couple years, we have been lucky enough to expand our outreach internationally to Germany, Nigeria, and Jamaica, through the addition of our dedicated International Chair position and the introduction of the GTSBE International Committee.

We are extremely excited and hopefully to see our continuous growth impact both internationally and within the Atlanta Community.

Artistry Creative is an understatement. Georgia Tech may be a technology school but our members never forget the importance of art and self-expression. Moving mountains to practice their artistry our students dual enroll in two different institutions and take on a career on top of scholastic work and leadership in order to achieve their dreams. For them STE(A)M is the focus and community impact through their artwork is their pledge.

The leadership of GTSBE is proud to call this set of effervescent students their membership, and this year’s magazine is dedicated to them.

Chelsi Alise Cocking Editor in Chief 2015 -2016 Publications Chair Creator of the annual GTSBE Magazine 39 |

ACADEMICS

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AWARDS

BLACK ENGINEERS GEORGIA TECH SOCIETY OF BALCK

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BE LIKE BRITTANY.

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“I want my legacy to show that not only did I survive but I thrived.”

- Brittany Brown

Brittany Brown is a 5th year Civil Engineering major pursuing a dual degree from Fort Valley State University and Georgia Institute of Technology. During her time at Tech, she has managed to stay involved with NSBE (she is currently our chapter’s Academic Excellence Chair) and pursue her interest in researching at this prestigious institution. She studied uncultured freshwater Actinobacteria dominant in freshwater ecosystems. As a part of her research, Brittany used genomic data and metabolic models to begin building a library of traits which could be used for predictive models. At first glimpse, you may ask, what does the study of Actinobacteria and genomes have to do with Civil Engineering? This is the field of study that Brittany enjoys in her research.

Brittany’s concentration within Civil Engineering is Environmental Engineering. She is particularly interested in the microbiology of engineered and natural systems, a field she says is “so interdisciplinary and relevant”. In tune with current events like the lack of access to water and sanitation in developing countries and the drinking water crisis in Flint Michigan, Brittany is pursuing research, not for her own benefit but because she believes “there is a clear need for the work” that she has chosen to pursue.

Brittany’s passion for her field of research fuels her to “identify opportunities to improve the standard of

living for people across the world”.

The opportunity to be involved in “environments that are unpredictable” and foster experiences that are composed of “open-ended questions and discovery” is something Brittany enjoys - an opportunity satisfied by research.

Brittany credits her introduction to research opportunities to her research on maximizing solar panel outputs at Fort Valley State University. When she joined Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, LSAMP, at Georgia Tech, she wanted a stronger research experience that would prepare her for graduate school. She discovered and applied to many research programs using pathwaystoscience.org. Through this, Brittany got accepted to the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program, SURE, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her experience with SURE allowed her to begin research in the Environmental Chemistry Lab at Georgia Tech, perform research in Bolivia, and gain acceptance into the Summer Research Opportunities Program, SROP, at the University of Michigan.

Research has clearly been a facet of Brittany’s education that she has known she wanted to take advantage of for a while and is taking unbelievably great strides with it. It’s difficult being a Georgia Tech student pursuing one degree. It is even more difficult completing a

second degree at Georgia Tech as a part of a dual degree program. However, Brittany has mentioned that she would be content if she graduates from Georgia Tech in December “knowing that I used every resource I could to make me the best student, researcher, and person I could be…

I want my legacy to show that not only did I survive but I thrived”. If you are reading this as a student interested in engaging in undergraduate research, Brittany advises that you “just dive in… Let your passions lead you and doors will open… be open to meeting new people and learning new things. Every failure and success I’ve experienced have been directly related to my openness to the new and unknown”.

There are a plethora of resources available to us as students of this institution. I know a lot of students, myself included, get so caught up in excelling in the classroom and using many of this school’s professional development resources, GTSBE included, that we forget how phenomenal of a research school we attend. You have the opportunity to research anything you are interested in and possibly make an impact out of it.

Brittany, among other students, is a living testimony to this fact.

Be like Brittany!

Written by:

Xavier Galloway

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Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams M.Div Theology/Theological Studies (2012), Columbia Theological Seminary Ph.D. Industrial & Operations Engineering (2009), University of Michigan - Ann Arbor M.S. Industrial & Operations Engineering (2004), University of Michigan - Ann Arbor B.S. Industrial & Systems Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) (2002), Georgia Institute of Technology

Reverend Damon P. Williams, Ph.D. is a part-time lecturer in both the Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering and the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning here at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Rev. Dr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude, in Industrial and Systems Engineering form Georgia Tech in 2002. He later earned a Master of Science degree, and Doctorate degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan (U of M). Dr. Williams’ teaching interest is centered on developing practical strategies for teaching to a diverse set of learners in large (50+ students) classes and his research interest involves the development of analytical models to solve large scale operational problems.

Dr. Williams is also the Senior Pastor of the historic Providence Missionary Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta.

In 2006, while a doctoral candidate at U of M, Rev. Williams was licensed under the pastorate of Reverend Mark J. Lyons at the Second Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan. While at Second Baptist, Rev. Williams served in several ministerial roles including: Young Adult Sunday School Teacher, Christian Education Council Member, University of Michigan Mustard Seed Campus Bible Study Director, and as a member of the Missionary Outreach Ministry. Upon completion of his Ph.D. in 2009, Dr. Williams returned to his alma mater, Georgia Tech, where he served as the assistant director for education in the Georgia Tech Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and also currently serves as an adjunct professor in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Dr. Williams also returned to Georgia to attend Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, where he was both a Columbia Honors Fellow and a Fund for Theological Education (FTE) Ministry Fellow. In May 2012, he graduated from Columbia with a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree. Concurrently, between 2009 and 2012, Rev. Williams served as an Associate Minister and was ordained at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta, under the guidance of Reverend Dr. Aaron L. Parker. In this capacity he worked in Christian Education serving as a traditional class Saturday School Teacher, Connexion College Ministry Student Leader, and Vacation Bible School Director.

In his spare time Damon enjoys playing softball, and traveling with his wonderful wife Reverend Khalia J. Williams. He is occasionally called upon to speak nationally on higher education and diversity in academia. Rev. Damon is also a committed mentor to youth and young adults in the Atlanta area. All in all, Reverend Dr. Damon P. Williams is a passionate leader, dynamic teacher, powerful preacher and cherished mentor to many.

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source: providenceatlanta.org & isye.gatech.edu

“I wanted to be a mentor, motivator, and big brother to underrepresented minorities here, not only a professor.”

A beloved professor and mentor amongst all, especially to his Black students, Damon purposefully takes his time to invest in the growth and success of his minority students and their academic careers. He is keen on stressing the need for diversity in academia and also ensuring that his minority students make it through the sometimes taxing environment and process that is receiving a degree from Georgia Tech. As an integral part of the success of many Black students here on Georgia Tech’s campus, especially within Industrial and Systems Engineering, our GTSBE President and Teaching Assistant for Damon’s IsyE lecture, Siham Adous, took some time to sit down with Damon so we may get to know him and his ambitions on a higher level.

Q (Siham): Why did you decide to go into academia?

Damon: “I love being on college campuses and I love teaching. I think it’s important to have underrepresented minority presence in academia. I wanted to be a mentor, motivator, and big brother to underrepresented minorities here, not only a professor. Plus, I’m getting older and hanging out with 20 year olds makes me feel younger. My students need me for engineering, but I need them for fashion sense so everyone wins.”

Q (Siham): What are your passions outside of academia?

Damon: “Equestrian, synchronized swimming (SN: he doesn’t know how to swim), and table tennis. My passion outside of academia really is in my Church and my faith but I also play softball, basketball, and flag football. I can also sing in the shower and weddings.”

Q (Siham): How do you use these outside experiences to improve your teaching?

Damon: “It allows me to engage with a diverse population, that makes me more understanding of our diverse student body. Teaching is all about relationships so no matter what, I try to build relationships.”

Q (Siham): What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a professor?

Damon: “When students come back. I’ve been teaching here long enough that I have students come back 3 or 5 years after graduation, and it’s always great to hear about all of the amazing things they’ve accomplished after leaving here. Specifically with my black students though, the most rewarding aspect of being a professor is being able to pour so much effort into the black students in class that were psychologically defeated and then see them go off and do something great after graduation. I’m just blessed to be one person along the way - even though I like to think I’m the only person. I believe once the hand of Damon touched their lives, they were set.”

Q (Siham): Any word(s) of advice?

Damon: “Get your life together. Think about your grandparents and your great grandparents who didn’t have nearly as many opportunities as you have. But yet, they forged a path so that you could get a higher education degree.

So being here just isn’t enough. We made it through centuries of slavery, there’s nothing that GT could throw at you that our people haven’t overcame. Know that their power and strength is with you everyday that you are on this campus and use that to be the best you could be. Leverage your network and open doors for others the same way your grandparents opened the door for you.”

Interview by: Siham Adous

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A March For Education

This is a day the GTSBE gathers students from all around Atlanta to, well, march for education. We travel from the Centennial Olympic Park back to Georgia Tech’s campus. This year was great for us seeing that we got students from Kennesaw State University and NSBE members from Morehouse to join the crowd. Upon completion of the march, we gathered around a key speakers, introduced by our very own Renee Copeland. Following the discussion, STEM activities like Makey Makey and Earsketch were held as a demonstration of the computer science opportunities available on campus.

Lead Organizer(s) - Renee Copeland and her T.O.R.C.H. committee.

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STEAM Expo

This year’s STEAM Expo exposed students to different professions available in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math fields. We had forensic science displays, music engineering displays, and other activities for the students to explore. We hope that students left with a better understanding of different professions in STEAM and also where their interests may lie within them.

Lead Organizer(s) - Renee Copeland and her T.O.R.C.H. committee.

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Joshua Prince Ebin Mechanical Engineering Spring ‘16

After graduation I will be pursuing my Masters in Advanced Energy Technology at UC Berkeley and working at BASF. My time with GTSBE provided me with excellent global networking and professional development opportunities. A time I will remember many years from now.

SALUTE TO Shavonne Henry Mechanical Engineering Minor in Biomedical Engineering Spring ‘16

I probably would not have made it through Tech without my GTSBE family. GTSBE and NSBE was my social outlet and professional plug. I learned a lot, networked a ton, and made long lasting friendships! It’s been great!

Tiffany Nicole Davis

Aerospace Engineering Spring ‘16

Re’Nisha Clayton Civil Engineering Fall ‘15

Because of GTSBE I am more aware of the opportunities available for me.

Taylor Isom

Computer Science Fall ‘15 After graduation I will be working with Microsoft. NSBE and GTSBE have helped prepare me for the working world.

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In May, I will be traveling to Europe for 2 months to study art in Italy and Greece.

When I get back to the States, I will start work full-time for the Boeing Company as a participant in their Engineering Career Foundation Program.

Throughout my college and even pre-college career (NSBE Jr.) NSBE has supported me financially, academically, and professionally. GTSBE has provided me with a community of intelligent, and talented, individuals that I can call family. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities NSBE has provided me. I hope to continue my journey with NSBE on the professional level.

Henderson Johnson II

Aerospace Engineering Minor in Engineering & Business Spring ‘16 After graduation I will be pursuing my Masters in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech.

It has served as the essential grounding in the Black community and always reminded me of where home is.

THE GRADS Dejon Tebought Industrial Design Spring ‘16

After graduation I will be working at a design firm or medium sized company to set the groundwork for starting my own business.

John-Henry Hank Williams

Industrial Engineering Fall ‘15 After graduation I will be working on Supply Chain for Toyota’s manufacturing and engineering.

I was a much more connected student!

Learned how to ace interviews, negotiate with people and teams, and be a part of the black engineering community. Big thanks to NSBE for inspiring me! Loved the Anaheim Convention!

GTSBE has given me the focus I needed to learn about what kinds of jobs and other opportunities that are out there for me to pursue, and how to get them.

Paul Lawrence Wilson II Sierra Taylor Menzies

Business Administration Minor in Engineering & Business Spring ‘16 I’m fortunate enough to be working within the Marketing Leadership Rotational Program at Discover Financial Services in Chicago, IL following graduation.

Since my first year at Georgia Tech, GTSBE has not only helped me grow professionally, but has also challenged me to reach my leadership potential.

I’ve formed lifelong friendships, and I’ve learned more about myself than I could have imagined thanks to this organization.

Computer Engineering Spring ‘16

Leselle Vincent Environmental Engineering Spring ‘16

I will begin working my Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering at GT in May. GTSBE has provided me numerous opportunities and experiences that have made my time here that much more amazing. From meeting other black students, speaking to top companies and helping enhance my overall persona as a black engineer, GTSBE has positively impacted me in countless ways. One of the most impactful was the “Meet your Professors” event that I attended my freshman year, which introduced me to Dr. Raheem Beyah, with whom I have completed research with ever since.

Judah Okeleye

Masters in Electrical & Computer Engineering Spring ‘16 After graduation I will be working at Intel. NSBE and GTSBE taught me to take school seriously when I was an undergrad....

This ain’t a game!!!

After graduation I will be working on the Organization and Management of ENGAGES High School Program with GTRI during the Summer. I hope to stay in Atlanta to work with GTRI on educational reform in low-income schools.

GTSBE was my first interaction with the black community at GT. Through this org, I was able to find out about CaribSA. My involvement with CaribSA has greatly helped me to develop my leadership skills. I partially credit NSBE and LDR for my ability to be a part of the growth of CaribSA 49 | at GT.

MEMBERSHIP The following is a breakdown of membership attendance of one of our largest academics events of the year, Scholarship Sundays.

Scholarship Sundays was a biweekly study hall event that held a total attendance rate of over 120+ members. For this reason it was chosen as a sample size to give an understanding of the demographic of our membership.

1st year 50 2nd year 19 rd 3 year 24 4th year 20 5th year 6 5th+ 2 Masters 1 Ph. D. 0

CLASSIFICATION

MAJOR

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Mechanical Engineering - 18 Electrical Engineering - 14 Biomedical Engineering - 13 Computer Science - 13 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - 11 Industrial and Systems Engineering - 9 Aerospace Engineering - 7 Business Administration - 7 Civil Engineering - 5 Computer Engineering - 4 Environmental Engineering - 3 International Affairs and Modern Languages - 3 Computational Media - 2 Economics - 2 Literature Media & Communication - 2 Nuclear and Radiological Engineering - 2 Public Policy - 2 Architecture - 1 Biochemistry - 1 Biology - 1 M.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering - 1 Math - 1

P STATISTICS The following is a breakdown of membership attendance for this years’ Annual NSBE National Convention. This years convention was held in Boston, MA and GTSBE brought over 70+ members along for the ride. National Convention is one of the many times of the year in with our members are most involved. For this reason, it was chosen as a sample size to give further understanding of the demographic of our membership.

Total GTSBE Membership 154 Number of Members at Nationals 71

MEMBERSHIP v. NATIONALS Female 38 Male 33

MALE v. FEMALE ATTENDANCE

MAJOR

Mechanical Engineering - 13 Industrial and Systems Engineering - 10 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - 9 Biomedical Engineering - 8 Civil Engineering - 7 Computer Science - 6 Computational Media - 4 Electrical Engineering - 4 Aerospace Engineering - 3 Business Administration - 3 Computer Engineering - 1 Environmental Engineering - 1 Material Science Engineering - 1

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SERVICE

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CONGRATS RENEE COPELAND

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Pre Collegiate Initiative (P.C.I.) | 54

“Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today.”

The Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Program is designed to stimulate the interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, or STEM for students in the range of Kindergarten to 12th grade (K-12). The goal is to encourage these students in grades K–12 to attend college and pursue technical degrees. NSBE’s PCI program provides activities to help students discover firsthand how engineering and technology relate to the world around them and discover the excitement of academic excellence, leadership, technical development and teamwork.

Through hands-on STEM activities, trivia style academic games, and informative talks from real engineers, PCI programming is an effort to ensure healthy pipeline development in STEM fields and to stop the leakage of our young talent out of STEM related educational and career paths.

Objectives of the PCI Program: o o o o o o

To help students have a positive attitude towards academic excellence To stimulate enthusiasm about science, technology, engineering and mathematics To encourage 3rd–12th graders to pursue degrees in engineering and other technical fields To increase the number of African Americans attending and graduating from college To encourage and support parental commitment to children’s education To raise cultural awareness among students

GTSBE aids the objectives of PCI by staying in constant contact with our NSBE Jr chapters to help give them exposure to the world of STEM, especially at Georgia Tech. We kicked off this year in August with a retreat held for students K-12. The kids spent the summer day program developing the skills needed to thrive in high education with a STEM focus, like event planning for example. Through this we were also able to expose the students to the process of reserving rooms and acquiring sponsorship. All in all, this retreat proved itself as a huge success, seeing that this year we had our highest attendance yet of about seventy-five participants. Later on in the semester we brought back our PCI kids for the Fall Visitation Day, which was hosted with our school’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. The experience included an Earsketch demonstration held in the College of Computing during which the students would develop a sense of coding through creating music of the kwaito genre. Additionally, the group was taken on a tour of the campus’s 3000-sq-ft Invention Studio where they were allowed to interact with the equipment, experiencing wood working, 3D printing, and the CNC machine.

Between all these events, we still worked in the time for discussion on the topic of scholarships and financial aid to help the kids better prepare themselves for the transition into secondary schooling. The Fall Visitation Day served to continue our vision to S.T.E.A.M. line the pipeline to Georgia Tech. A closing drone demo by Misha Alexander of Minorities in Computing assured that we would catch and keep the eye of our participants. Now, for this spring semester, we are taking an estimate of twenty students along with our chapter’s members to the NSBE 42nd Annual Convention in Boston, Massachusetts to compete in the trimathlon and robotics competitions.

Those accompanying us will be chosen from tri-city high school. The Spring Visitation Day, our last event for the academic year, will take place on April 16th and serve as an opportunity for juniors and younger to experience the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket lifestyle. The participants will create essays and experience a variety of majors, not only including engineering and the sciences, but also any other area of expertise offered here at Georgia Tech.

GTSBE would like to thank our current PCI Chair, Nelson Raphael, for his hard work. As a former NSBE Jr. member himself within Chamblee High School NSBE Jr. chapter under GTSBE, Nelson can attest to power and influence of PCI on his life in pursuing a STEM degree. We would like to thank him for his constant commitment and Mrs. Gant, PCI advisor, and Region 3 PCI Female Member of the Year, for both of their commitment to the education of the next generation.

Written by: Unwanna Etuk 55 |

Super Science Day

Super Science day is an annual service event organized by the Georgia Tech African American Student Union. Every year GTSBE partners with AASU to put on Super Science Day at Clifton Elementary School by helping to bring in a large number of volunteers. Members and volunteers from both organizations ran stations of a variety of experiments for the kids of Clifton Elementary. It was a wonderful day of exposing kids to the great possibilities of science, technology, engineering and math.

Lead Organizer(s) - Georgia Tech African American Student Union

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Day of Service

This year our Day of Service took place in the form of participation in our school’s event Team BUZZ, a gathering of the student organizations for the intent of community service. The members of NSBE decided to focus on a program that works to introduce and promote STEM for middle schoolers of the Atlanta area, Bright Futures.

Here, we took the time to provide the establishment landscaping aid; and we followed up by diving farther into the community to deliver information about STEM, Tech, and other post-graduation opportunities available in college.

Lead Organizer(s) - Renee Copeland and her T.O.R.C.H. committee.

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Kylie Brianna Byrd

1st year | International Affairs & Modern Languages | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Vice President of Lambda Delta Rho

What does the NSBE mission mean to you?

The NSBE mission reminds me of black excellence, something I had never really been around until I came to Georgia Tech. It inspires me to do my best academically as well as serve the community because these are things that will build my future.

What has been your favorite GTBSE/NSBE moment?

My favorite GTSBE moment was the science fair at the March for Education. It was beautiful for me to see how amazed the children were with the different experiments they were able to take part in.

What are you professional/career goals?

I want to move to Washington D.C. and work in the government. I either want to be a Foreign Service Officer, a Senator, or work in the United Nations. I also want to use my technology background from Tech to revolutionize the way we connect with people around the world.

How has GTSBE helped you achieve your goals? Whether personal, academic, or career wise.

GTSBE has given me a network of upperclassmen who are willing to help me do my best at Georgia Tech. All Tech students go through the same struggles, but I feel more comfortable with the connections I have made through GTSBE. GTSBE has helped me become a leader not only in Lambda Delta Rho, but outside of it as well.

What advice would you give to other GTSBE members?

Do not be afraid to get involved. Running for Lambda Delta Rho Vice President was definitely a leap for me, but I enjoy it so much and feel myself growing through it everyday. Also, make connections with other members. We have amazing members who have interned and co-oped all around the world. I know they would be more than willing to help you out as well.

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GTSBE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

The GTSBE International Committee is a new initiative to diversify and integrate membership as well as expand our global network. Our Foreign Growth Impact (FGI) team collaborates with international NSBE chapters and global entities to achieve the NSBE mission while the Local Membership Impact team (LMI) works hard to bring international opportunities to our members’ doorstep.

Local Membership Impact (LMI)

As an initiative to promote NSBE’s mission to cultivate culturally responsible black engineers, the International Committee is developing relationships with other international organizations on campus, such as the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), the Asian American Students Association (AASA), South East Asian Student Association (SEASA), India club (GTIC), Arab students organization (ASO), Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE), Eritrean and Ethiopian Student Association (HABESHA), the Caribbean Student Association (CaribSA) and the African Student Association (ASA) among others. We successfully put together a one-stop database of international opportunities available to our members on our website and hosted a soccer tournament with campus international organizations. Our goal is to leverage these relationships towards collaboration for future joint professional developments events in Fall 2016 and Spring 2017.

Written by: Joshua Ebin

Foreign Growth Impact (FGI)

From facilitating the establishment of NSBE chapters around the globe to sharing ideas with these chapters, the Foreign Growth Impact has given the International Committee a platform to reach out to a more diverse portion of the Society of Black Engineers. GTSBE-IC has helped revitalize a few NSBE chapters in the R1 sector, especially in Ghana and Nigeria. GTSBE-IC provided some guidelines to the University of Ghana chapter to help them host an event dubbed, “A Walk for Education” since this event was very similar to the March for Education held in the Fall. In Nigeria, the chapters in the University of Uyo and River State University of Science and Technology were re-established. Currently, GTSBE-IC is working with the NSBE Ghana Secretary, Mr. Billy Dega James to create a study abroad opportunity for chapter members to cooperate with their Ghanaian counterparts to understand concretely the engineering problems facing the country, and have a first-hand experience of the professional environment in Ghana. We have also made contacts with students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Kleve, Germany about the possibility of setting up a chapter in the next academic year.

Written by: Charles Van-Hein Sackey

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Charity International Soccer Tournament (CIST)

The 2016 premier edition of the Charity International Soccer Tournament was organized by the International Committee for the various cultural organizations on campus. The goal of the tournament was to use the game of soccer to raise awareness about various charity groups, while fostering unity among the diverse cultures on the Georgia Tech Campus. Six organizations competed out of which ASA emerged as champions.

Written by: Sydney Gathe & Summer Bain

Challenges International Students Face

As part of the Local Membership Initiative, the International Committee has worked hard towards finding solutions to the challenges international student members face on campus. Previously, Georgia Tech allowed international students to only use Optional Practical Training (O.P.T.) as work authorization for internships. However, after consistently shedding light on this issue, and through the efforts of other industrious Georgia Tech students, the Institute has made its work authorization policy less rigid by allowing the use of Curricular Practical Training (C.P.T.). In addition to work authorization, international students have been marginalized based on citizenship status by companies during the campus hiring process. We believe it is necessary to provide outstanding international students with internship and employment opportunities. Therefore, GTSBE-IC is planning on organizing an international career fair geared towards giving international students a much-needed chance to be hired within the United States as well as providing opportunities for US Citizens to work abroad. We are working on partnering with global companies that hire international students to visit next semester and keep our international members engaged.

Written by: David Umo

GTSBE INVITE A FRIEND (IAF)

The purpose of GTSBE IC Invite A Friend (#GTSBE-IAF) event is to diversify our GTSBE membership by encouraging our transfer and international students to attend weekly meetings through a membership drive. This special meeting was focused on opportunities available to international student members interested in studying or working abroad.

We had guests from the Office of International Education (OIE) and presented the GTSBE IC platform progress. New members received props points while those who invited new members received free tickets to the Georgia Tech Taste of Africa event.

Written by: Nifemi Ajayi

Joshua Ebin

2015 - 2016 GTSBE International Chair

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Kayla Broughton 4th year | B.S. Mathematics (Spelman College) B.S. Mechanical Engineering (Georgia Tech) | Adairsville, Georgia

What does the NSBE mission mean to you?

The mission highlights my commitment, as an aspiring engineer, to myself and to my community. I appreciate the high standards of professionalism that comes from the mission. It holds me academically accountable and inspires me to consistently serve the community. The mission also influences me to be a culturally responsible engineer who is aware of what is going on in the world. Most importantly, the mission holds me responsible to pay forward all that I have gained from being a part of NSBE to the next generation.

What has been your favorite GTBSE/NSBE moment?

My favorite GTSBE moment was helping plan and execute the S.T.E.A.M. Expo. I loved having the opportunity to be a co-lead for the forensic science activity. It was great being able to interact with the kids and their parents, and to get them excited about science.

What are you professional/career goals?

My plan is to work in industry as a mechanical engineer for a while. I want to work in the energy field, as well as on projects that improve vehicle safety. I am also considering going into politics, or policy making. My focus would be on improving the education system. I also want to be a high school AP Calculus teacher because that is where I gained my love for math. That love put me on the path to where I am today.

Where have you co-oped, interned or worked? What was most enjoyable about that experience?

I have interned at General Electric for the past two summers. I will be returning to GE this summer. My favorite parts about interning at GE have been the welcoming environment, my great assignment leaders, and having meaningful projects.

What advice would you give to other GTSBE members?

I would advise other GTSBE members to join committees that align with their passions. It makes the experience more memorable to have the opportunity to see your work come to fruition

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ARTISTRY

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CONGRATS HENDERSON JOHNSON II

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NEVER

STAND still.

“It is so important for people in our generation to understand that our voices do matter and even if us speaking up only touches one other person. We cannot stay silent.�

Photo of Raianna C. Brown by The Film God

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Creativity does not have to be lost when pursuing a STEM degree, and Raianna Brown is the living proof. Not only is she pursuing a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a minor in Industrial Design in Innovative Technology with a focus in the performing arts at Georgia Tech, but she is also pursuing a degree in dance at Emory University. While this may seem impossible, Raianna has been determined from the beginning. She was always going to do both engineering and dance, but wanted to keep the two separate. However, as she has matriculated through Georgia Tech she’s seen what people can do with engineering and realizing that she can do something unthought of because of her own unique perspective of the arts and sciences.

Raianna gained inspiration from the man who created the dancing ROBOT, Huang Yi. She plans on using her Industrial Design minor to aid her with the making of an interactive lighting system in order to create a whole new dynamic to bring to performances. Raianna has also gained inspirations by being involved with the Georgia Tech Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, GTSBE. Being sur-

rounded by so many young entrepreneurs who have found a way to intertwine their passions has given her a greater appreciation for those who have entered the professional world doing just that.

GTSBE has also provided her with the opportunity to share her love of STEAM with others, especially with the younger generation.

She performed at GTSBE’s annual STEAM Expo, which gave the opportunity to encourage the young students that attended the Expo to pursue their interests in both the arts and STEM fields, to show them that it’s not impossible. Particularly because her interests in the arts have helped her find her own voice.

With being a choreographer and dancer, it’s important to Raianna for her art to mean something. She has found her meaning through the tumultuous times that come with growing up as a young black women in today’s American society.

Raianna has choreographed a piece called “I Can’t Breathe” in response to the instances in Ferguson and countless other places in America for Emory’s Black History Month Program. Her dance teacher, George Staib, saw the performance

and extended her the opportunity to take the piece to Italy and perform with his company there. Even through the language barrier, the emotion and passion was able to translate. This moment truly radiated through her because it gave her the confirmation that she can still speak out without having to even use words.

As Raianna continues with her passions, she sees it never coming to an end, to have a continual balance. Her dance teacher once said to her, “Do not try to find balance and stick it, but rather seek balance through movement.” This is where Raianna found her motto, “Never Stand Still,” especially when it comes to her passions, and that’s exactly what she will continue to do in the future.

Written by: Samantha Davanzo

“When I first began my journey as a dancing engineer, I was very adamant about not marrying the two or somehow employing my left brain and right brain together to create something new.”

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Strongly Elevating Xavier Sharif Galloway is a 4th-year student at the Georgia Institute of Technology pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and a Marketing Certificate from the College of Business.

During his time at Tech, he managed to stay involved with NSBE (he is currently our chapter’s Telecommunications Chair) and pursue his passion for music while attending this prestigious institution. Xavier is the oldest of three sons and tries to serve as a role model to them and his family. While Xavier sees the value in pursuing a STEM degree, he has never lost sight of his passion for music. Going by the stage name “Xavier”, he wants to be as transparent and genuine as possible about his life through music. His writing topics span from his dreams, definition of true happiness, relationships, faith, and personal internal battles. Xavier is not doing music in the hope of personal gain neither.

He states that he “hopes that [his] music will move people to achieve their dreams and improve their happiness, relationships, and faith.”

Xavier states that his love and passion for music “was somewhat innate” after his mother told him he was born loving music. In fact, his favorite toy as a child was his

father’s Sony Mini HiFi Component System. He has also been a talented writer since the 1st-grade having had his own story featured in a local New York newspaper at that time. Xavier has been learning music since the 3rd grade playing instruments like the saxophone, clarinet, and bass clarinet. It was when he started playing these instruments that his love for music escalated. Although music has been a huge part of his life, his interest in engineering began at a young age as well. His father’s Sony MHC System played a huge role in igniting the two loves. Xavier has always been “fascinated with how things worked” and would experiment with this idea either reconstructing pens he would tear apart, inquiring about the stereo system, or playing with jigsaw puzzles. However, he would still only consider engineering as only an interest up until it was time to think about college.

Initially, Xavier was considering on pursuing music full time after graduating high school yet this idea never sat well with mom and dad.

The summer before his senior year in high school, Xavier participated in his first internship with CareerBuilder.com. It was at this internship that Xavier realized pursuing a career in STEM would be of some interest to him. He was exposed to web development, work culture, and mentorship from developers within the company. CareerBuilder provided a glimpse of the many opportunities that follow pursuing a career in STEM and helped Xavier decide on applying to Georgia Tech as a Computer Science major. Xavier is grateful for making that decision. He says that pursuing a STEM degree has

put him “in a position where [he] can graduate from Tech and finance his actual passion”, something that would have been much harder for him to do without a degree. Plus, how cool would it be to say your favorite artist has a STEM degree?

Xavier’s experience as a college student pursuing his dream has made him want to give back to students who have similar stories. Through his music, Xavier intends to start his own initiatives, The SEED Project, and The SEED Project Scholarship Fund. SEED is an acronym for Strongly Elevating Every Desire, his personal motto, and definition of ambition. Through these initiatives, he intends to give back to students passionate about art and pursuing higher education through mentorship, art shows, and scholarship.

Xavier is currently planning out all the logistics for a 2017 launch. It comes as no surprise that the idea of his initiatives is actually influenced by two of his biggest inspirations, Jay-Z and Bill Gates, due to their philanthropic efforts.

It’s amazing to see students like Xavier walk our campus and stay involved with our organization. It has to be extremely challenging to pursue both a STEM degree and your dream. Xavier will be graduating next Spring and hopes to look for a job either as a Technology Consultant or Programmer in Atlanta that would allow him to further finance and pursue his dream. We are expecting nothing but great things from Xavier at this point and hope he will accomplish everything he set out to achieve. If you would like to support, head over to his website, xaviersharif.com, and stay tuned for his new EP in May. Written by:

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Chelsi Cocking

Every Desire

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Maria M. Yagnye 1st year | Biomedical Engineering | Greenville, North Carolina

What does the NSBE mission mean to you?

To me, the NSBE missions means that is our duty as members to shape those around us, as well as ourselves into the next generation of game-changing leaders.

What are you professional/career goals?

My professional/career goals are to find ways to increase self love in other people, and right now my plan is to become a plastic surgeon and focus on re constructive surgery. So treating patients born with facial deformities, regenerating skin on burn victims, fixing amputee wounds, etc. Plastic surgery gives me both the satisfaction of helping people feel good about themselves and also the satisfaction of never having to look at a price tag again.

What type of leader are you?

Versatile. I adapt my leading styles to the situation that I’m in because you can’t expect every scenario to be the same, let alone the people you lead.

What research or projects have you been working on?

I’ve started to dabble into entrepreneurship with my new co-owned company called Tay & Maria’s Wig Shop. It specializes in making all lengths and styles of wigs and we also do in-person specialty styles such as goddess braids and crochet braids. As our business expands we plan on partnering with hospitals and donating wigs for kids that undergo chemotherapy How has GTSBE helped you achieve your goals? Whether personal, academic, or career wise.

GTSBE has helped me achieve my career goals by putting me in close contact with companies that I would otherwise not know or not get to develop close relationships with What do you hope to do/achieve after graduation?

After graduation I hope to get that return on investment that Georgia Tech likes to talk so much about.

Have you ever studied abroad? If so what was your favorite part of that experience?

I’ve never studied abroad per say, but I’ve been abroad and my favorite place was definitely Morocco. The view of the desert from the airport was miraculous.

What advice would you give to other GTSBE members?

Some advice to other GTSBE members would be to hold each other accountable. We always say in the beginning that we’ve got each other and all that good stuff, but too many of us continue to fall through the cracks.

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Kierston Nicole Jac 2nd year | Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering | Columbia, South Carolina

What does the NSBE mission mean to you?

The NSBE mission serves as a guideline for a successful chapter. It provides chapters and chapter members with reminders on what they should be doing to be efficient and effective. Every time I recite the NSBE mission I am reminded of the things that I should be doing to become a better leader in my community. A chapter that follows the mission is most helpful to its members and I am proud to be a part of the Georgia Tech chapter of NSBE because the mission is in the forefront of every event that is held.

What has been your favorite GTBSE/NSBE moment?

My favorite GTSBE moment was during a weekly meeting where all the members were split into teams to see which team could come up with the best chant for Fall Regional Conference. There were so many competitive spirits in the room who were trying to come up with the most hype chant, but when it was all said and done we all supported one another and cheered for every group that performed. It’s these kind of involvement’s that make NSBE something special.

What type of leader are you?

I would describe myself as a leader who works with my team to get the job done. I am not one to shy away from hard work, and I will work tirelessly to perfect my craft so that I can effectively help the group achieve our goals. As a leader there is a certain balance that you should keep between business and fun. I believe in making every task not only a learning experience but an enjoyable one as well.

How has GTSBE helped you achieve your goals? Whether personal, academic, or career wise.

GTSBE has helped me achieve many goals, especially personal as well as career goals by providing an exceptional amount of opportunities to network. My first semester I was not very active on campus, and I felt as if I had no one to relate to. After delving into NSBE and seeing what all it had to offer I have been able to speak with several corporate sponsors as well as meet several other students just like myself who are making tremendous moves in their fields. It is amazing to see how different I feel about Georgia Tech now after being integrated into a community as close knit as NSBE. Where have you co-oped, interned or worked? What was most enjoyable about that experience?

Over the summer I had the opportunity to intern with Waccamaw Primary Care where I shadowed the lead doctor. The most enjoyable part of the experience was the interactions with both the staff members and the patients. I shadowed a very well known doctor in the area, and all of his patients had positive things to say. He treated each patient like a person and not like another name on a chart, which made them feel cared for. This experience showed me that when you truly have a passion for what you do, not only will you do the job well but you also will be able to positively impact many lives.

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ckson

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MAGAZINE COMMITTEE Thank you to this year’s magazine committee! Without the hard work and diligence of this year’s committee members this magazine would not be possible.

Last year, I started the magazine with the vision of creating a substantial piece of media that would allow our corporate sponsors and membership to understand the full benefit and value of GTSBE. I would like to extend my deepest “thank you”, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who has worked with me and allowed me to implement this vision both last year and this year. To this years’ committee, thank you for being a part of this team and allowing me to be the leader of such a diligent group.

Chelsi Alise Cocking GTSBE Publications Chair

I look forward to seeing the continuous growth of the annual GTSBE Magazine. It was a pleasure for me to see my vision implemented into two physical and digital copies of this publication. I am positive that the next Publications Chair and their team, will carry on this vision with just as much, if not more, effervescence. I am zealous and excited to see what the magazine will turn into in the years to come. I hope you enjoyed reading this years’ 2nd annual GTSBE Magazine!

Thank you, Chelsi A. Cocking Creator of GTSBE Magazine 2015-2016 GTSBE Publications Chair

2015-2016 Magazine Committee Members & “Thank Yous” Unwanna Etuk Samantha Davanzo Auston Kennedy Camera Dunn TaNycia Wooden Xavier Galloway Summer Bain Alain Dusabe Sabat Adous

Other Writers: GTSBE International Committee Siham Adous D’Andre Waller TJ Funso Features/Interviewees: Rev. Dr. Damon Williams Henderson Johnson II Michole Washington

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Kendall Rankin The Black Burdell Team Caitlyn Britt Joshua Suttle Norman Harris II Karri Thomas Kylie Byrd Kayla Broughton Maria Yagnye Kierston Jackson Raianna Brown Spring ‘16 Graduates Fall ‘15 Graduates

Thank you to our beloved sponsors.

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THE NSBE MISSION IS: TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CULTURALLY RESPONSIBLE BLACK ENGINEERS WHO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY SUCCEED PROFESSIONALLY AND POSITIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY..

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