EP#28 - NAVIGATING ACADEMIA AS A BLACK PROFESSIONAL with Beverly Hutcherson

Read It Right Radio Show

In this episode, I sit down with Beverly Hutcherson, Reproductive Biologist and Administrator at UW Madison, and Founder/CEO of Scientific Motivations. Today, we’re exploring "Navigating Academia as a Black Professional."
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Beverly Hutcherson:

• Could you tell the listeners about your journey? How did you get to where you are today?
• Who do you help in your business now, and how do you support underrepresented communities in STEM and academia?
• How have you personally witnessed systems change within healthcare and STEM that foster inclusivity and diversity?
• What is your approach to effectively communicating complex scientific concepts to broader audiences, particularly those who may find science intimidating?
• Can you share some strategies for advising and mentoring underrepresented individuals in STEM fields?
• What advice would you give to a young person interested in pursuing a career similar to yours in STEM or academia?
• Can you share a challenge you’ve faced in your journey and how you overcame it?
• What are some tools or resources that you provide through your work with Scientific Motivations that can help others in their STEM journey?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About "Navigating Academia as a Black Professional":

• Beverly's Journey: Beverly Hutcherson shares her journey into the world of reproductive biology and academia, highlighting how personal experiences with health disparities in her family inspired her to pursue a career in science. She discusses how she navigated the challenges of being the first in her family to attend a four-year institution and how her passion for health literacy led her to make a significant impact in her field.
• Systems Change in STEM: Beverly emphasizes the importance of recognizing the long-term impact of systemic changes within healthcare and STEM, particularly in fostering diversity and inclusivity. She shares her experiences in building programs that have successfully guided underrepresented students into STEM careers, stressing the need for a holistic approach to diversifying the pathway into science and medicine.
• Effective Science Communication: Beverly breaks down the importance of making complex scientific concepts accessible to broader audiences. She shares practical examples of how she uses everyday language to explain intricate biological processes, making science more relatable and understandable.
• Mentoring and Advising: Beverly discusses her hands-on approach to mentoring and advising, emphasizing the impor

About the Host: Tiffani Teachey
Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, TEDx international speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z,” the STEM Crew Kids Adventures series, and three empowerment books. She is the host of the Read It Right Radio Show on WDRBmedia. Tiffani owns Thrive Edge Publishing and is the owner/publishing consultant of Inspired Authors Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management, both from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a Leadership Studies Ph.D. student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

As an engineer with over 19 years of experience, Tiffani is passionate about inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. She was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor. For more about Tiffani, visit her website at www.TiffaniTeachey.com. Check out the free STEM gift—the 10 STEM Scholarships & Organizations e-book—at www.stemistheway.com.