A Culture of Belonging: STEM as a Weapon of Mass Connection, an African Diaspora Woman's Voice

Why I chose to leave my homeland in the 80's for social justice and became the "invisible visible". What influences my choice architecture that helps me adapt, survive and thrive as an African Diaspora woman? Why is it important to cultivate a sense of belonging to a "nation", while maintaining the transnational role with heritage' country as a 'nation-builder' for legacy and purposeful living? How I leverage STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering Arts and Math) as a purposeful nudge to change the equity narrative, and as a weapon of mass connection for social justice.

Tsegga S. Medhin is an equity accelerator, the President of the UN Women USA NC and founder of The Pearl Leadership Institute, an organization focused on developing and supporting girls/women in STEM(Science Technology Engineering and Math) careers. She is an internationally recognized thought leader on capacity building and social innovation for the underrepresented. With the view of positively mobilizing the African Diaspora community and the world, Tsegga focuses on the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (UNSDG2030).

This presentation is sponsored by the John Hope Franklin Center and the Duke University Center for International and Global Studies. A light lunch will be served. Parking is available in nearby Trent Rd. and Erwin Rd. parking decks. The series provides 1-hour parking vouchers to guests.