Brittany Young
Happy Wednesday!
Today, in our “Sister of Impact” series, we are featuring a sister under 30 who is already making a difference in her community, and also happens to be a future successful corporate sister. Her name is Brittany Young.
I had the pleasure of meeting Brittany through Twitter (thank you Twitter!), and immediately loved her bubbly, entrepreneurial, and ambitious personality. Through her words, her dedication and commitment to advancing the cause of minorities and furthering her own career and mission in life were evident. So much so that Brittany is not only majoring in Chemistry at UMB, while working at various companies, but she is also putting together community events motivate and inspire the youth in her community and beyond…Read below for much more Brittany and her upcoming breakfast prayer meeting, set to be help on the 24th of this month (please participate and donate!):
1. Hi Brittany! Can you tell us a bit about you, what you do, and what you are passionate about?
I am Brittany Young chemical engineering major at UMBC that hopes to finish with her PhD. I am currently employed as a project engineer for Key Technology Inc in downtown Baltimore. Its a small engineering company and I work with mechanical engineers testing prototypes, mostly medical devices and doing research and development. I have worked for NASA, APL, the YMCA and McCormick.
I am passionate about STEM education and increasing diversity within my field. its 2014 and I usually am the only female or Black person at whatever job I work at. I want to mentor students because its one thing to just tell them to become an engineer, its another to actually look like them and come from a similar background as the students and give back. My business partner and I co founded a program atthe high school I graduated from to mentor students. And I have a special “Spooky Science” camp that I run in a Baltimore YMCA for students where they do hands on chemistry experiments as a paranormal investigator. I also have several elementary school robotics teams that I help. Id its about STEM and students, I’m all on it.
2. You have an upcoming prayer brunch on May 24th. Can you tell us about it, and how we can get involved in it?
The brunch is called “Leaders of the New School: A Fundraiser Brunch Supporting Community Activism” This year I turn 25 and instead of doing the normal things like clubbing and all of that I instead wanted to have a fundraiser that honors local non profit groups and leaders my age within my community who have programs designed to help the youth and better the city. The event also gives the chance to network and connect with professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs. Its far too often that we hear about the bad things in Baltimore city especially with my age group.
To get involved anyone can donate or purchase tickets that is not local by contacting me directly and referring to the website:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/leaders-of-the-new-school-a-prayer-brunch-fundraiser-tickets-11121465603?aff
Any and all donations are expected and tickets are available to purchase until
May 14. Individuals or groups can also be listed as sponsors by contacting me where an ad will be placed as well as a 45 second “commercial” for guests to see during the event. Again ALL PROCEEDS support the non profit groups.
3. What motivates you to be involved in your community?
When I was growing up there wasn’t anyone who looked like me that wanted to do what I wanted to do. And the lack of diversity that i see as a professional is also what motivates me. I also enjoy helping others especially students that need guidance and STEM really is fun. The kids always like the programs I have been involved in and would never would have thought they liked it otherwise. Its always a good thing to spark interest early.
4. What are your future plans in terms of career and community involvement?
In the long term goal I see myself owning my own engineering firm (fingers crossed) and retiring to teach in later years just for fun. I also plan to expand my programs and venture in non profit management. Basically I want to be in engineering until around 45 while expanding community efforts. At 45 retiring and working full time as a philanthropist, lol thats my goal. Set myself up now as professional and own company to seed my philanthropy.
Thank you so much Brittany, and much luck in all your future endeavors!
5. Lastly, what message would you like to send to your community and other Black/minority women out there?
Its time we took on our roles as leaders and help make positive endeavors for the community. Also as black and or minority women, change is coming and we have to usher in the catalyst.
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