Home Page
Website Description
Beginning of Timeline
Timeline Description
Quotes

Project Story: Celebrating Black Excellence in STEM

Password to view site:

byteblossoms

Inspiration

As people of color in the tech industry, we've often felt marginalized and overlooked, grappling with the pervasive notion that we don't belong. This sentiment inspired us to embark on a journey of empowerment and representation, culminating in the creation of "Black History in STEM."

What it does

With Black History Month underway, we saw an opportunity to challenge the narrative of exclusion and highlight the immense contributions of Black and African American individuals to STEM fields. We wanted to showcase the brilliance, resilience, and innovation that have been integral to shaping the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

How we built it

We began by meticulously researching and curating the stories of remarkable individuals, each representing a day of Black History Month. However, as we delved deeper into the wealth of contributions made by Black pioneers, we faced the challenge of selecting only 28 individuals to feature on our website. The sheer volume of extraordinary achievements made it difficult to choose, and we struggled with the limitations of time and resources.

Incorporating all our ideas proved to be another challenge, as we grappled with balancing creativity and feasibility within our project timeline. Technical hurdles also arose, particularly when it came to implementing features and functionalities into the website. We encountered issues with coding, design layouts, and user experience optimization, requiring us to adapt and problem-solve on the fly by using Squarespace to cut down our development time.

Challenges we ran into

One of the most significant challenges we encountered was the limited time available to us. With a tight deadline looming, we had to prioritize tasks and make difficult decisions about which features to include in our project. Additionally, the process of selecting only 28 individuals to feature on our website was a daunting task, as we were acutely aware of the countless contributions made by Black people to STEM throughout history.

Technical challenges also presented themselves throughout the development process. We encountered difficulties implementing certain features into the website, such as interactive timelines and multimedia elements. Overcoming these obstacles required a combination of problem-solving skills, collaboration, and perseverance.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite these challenges, we remained committed to our vision of creating a platform that celebrates the diverse voices and stories of Black excellence in STEM. Through perseverance, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, we were able to overcome obstacles and bring our project to fruition.

What we learned

Throughout the process of building this project, we delved deep into the annals of history, uncovering stories of trailblazers who defied societal barriers and made lasting impacts on the STEM landscape. From Granville Woods' pioneering work in railway safety to Shirley Jackson's groundbreaking advancements in telecommunications, we were continuously inspired by the breadth and depth of Black excellence in STEM.

What's next for Black History in STEM

Looking ahead, our vision for "Black History in STEM" extends beyond its current iteration. We plan to expand the platform into a more comprehensive and exhaustive representation of African American contributions to STEM. This entails conducting further research to uncover the stories of contemporary African Americans in STEM and portraying their achievements alongside historical figures.

Additionally, we aim to continually update the website with the thousands of new contributions that are being made by Black individuals in STEM fields every day. By providing a dynamic and evolving platform, we hope to inspire future generations and foster a deeper appreciation for the diversity of talent and innovation within the STEM community.

Moreover, we recognize the importance of fostering connections and collaboration within the STEM ecosystem. To that end, we plan to explore partnerships with educational institutions, organizations, and industry leaders to amplify the impact of our platform and create opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development.

Ultimately, our goal is to create a vibrant and inclusive hub that celebrates the past, present, and future of Black excellence in STEM, empowering individuals of all backgrounds to pursue their passions and make meaningful contributions to the world.

We also anticipate publishing the site publicly as it is currently password protected due to us having to pay to host it on Squarespace.

Password to view site: byteblossoms

Built With

Submitted to

Black Wings Hacks 2024
- Winner Black Wings Hacks Backpack

Created by

I’m main role was gathering information for the timeline and inputting it into the html code on the square space sight.

Helana Solomon
In the project, my main contribution was conducting research and gathering information to populate the website. Additionally, I acquired proficiency in utilizing Squarespace, focusing particularly on leveraging its code injection feature to tailor the website to our specific needs. Through these tasks, I gained valuable experience in content creation and website customization, contributing to the overall development and functionality of the project.

Bifuh Ngongalah
In my role, my primary responsibilities centered around information gathering and form completion. I became adept at researching and collecting relevant data to ensure accurate and comprehensive records.

Rimsha Memon
In my role, my primary responsibilities was creating the UI of the site, coding, as well information gathering.

Titi O.