Opinions expressed by the authors are their own.

Towards the beginning of my scientific career, I remember talking to at postdoc a Brandeis University about signaling pathways over coffee. Our conversation went on and on. Finally, my colleague asked me if I was proud to be one among the few black people pursuing science. He asked if it felt empowering. I hadn’t thought about it from that angle before. Was I proud of what I was doing? Yes. I was training in a lab under a PI who would soon after win the Nobel Prize for discovering circadian rhythms. Was I empowered? No. I shared that I felt isolated.

I could tell that he hadn’t thought about it under that lens. He shared how grateful he was for his circle of Indian scientists; a circle that was underrepresented but far larger than mine. Ironically enough, I left that conversation empowered. I realized that I was advancing as a molecular biologist despite not having this type of support group.

I honestly considered switching to an industry where I wouldn’t feel like an anomaly, perhaps business. But I enjoyed science. So, I became a lab manager and sequencer at Massachusetts General Hospital. The group of researchers and pathologists I worked with were brilliant. When I felt isolated, I’d think about the conversation I had at Brandeis. Look where I was. This road was less paved for sure but if I continued to foster my passion, I was also paving a way.

Now, I’m a lab and facility planner for a commercial real estate company! Talk about industry switch. Our approach to helping life science companies establish their homes is truly remarkable. At the top of some of these companies we serve, there are black CEO’s. At all the events we attend, there are black innovators presenting med devices and game changing pharmaceuticals. It’s empowering. During Black History Month, I want to take the time to acknowledge the growing presence of black scientists committed to their genius!