Yamilée Toussaint, founder of STEM From Dance and an MIT-trained engineer, has been named a CNN Hero for her efforts to bridge the gap between young girls of color and STEM careers.
Through her nonprofit, Toussaint combines dance and STEM education to inspire and equip the next generation of innovators, especially those who might not see themselves represented in these fields.
“It’s an honor to be selected as a CNN Hero,” Toussaint said. “I’m proud of the work we do to connect girls of color with STEM in a joyful and impactful way.”
Fusing Dance and STEM for Lasting Impact
Founded in 2012, STEM From Dance introduces girls of color, ages 8 to 18, to STEM subjects through dance.
Participants create technology-enhanced dance routines, such as programming LED sneakers to light up in sync with the beat or using coding to design stage projections.
The unique approach makes STEM accessible, tapping into participants’ creativity and dismantling the belief that STEM is out of reach for them.
The program, which operates in nine US cities, has reached thousands of young girls.
Toussaint’s ultimate goal is to share this curriculum nationwide, empowering teachers across the country to inspire the next wave of Black and brown innovators.
Read: CNN Crowns Black Founder Nelly Cheboi As The Hero Of The Year
A Journey Rooted in Passion and Purpose
Growing up on Long Island, Toussaint was influenced by her parents’ careers in STEM.
Her father, a mechanical engineer, and her mother, a nurse, always encouraged her interest in math, but it was her love for dance that ultimately shaped her career path.
As one of only two Black women in her mechanical engineering major at MIT, she recognized the stark underrepresentation in STEM fields. That realization, coupled with her passion for teaching, led her to create STEM From Dance.
“I didn’t feel like I was so exceptional that I should be one of only two Black women in my major,” Toussaint explained to CNN. “I knew it could be different and that we could change it.”
Feature Image Credit: KI Insights
