Black Nerds Matter

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter , I sit down with Tyrese Mitchem  an environmental steward, justice advocate, and RAY Fellow making his mark in Washington, DC. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara in Environmental Studies and Sociology, Tyrese earned the Outstanding Senior Award and wrote his senior thesis on diversity and inclusion in environmental programs. Now serving as a Government Relat...

Im joined by Randy Thomas  wildlife researcher, educator, and underwater filmmaker, also known as 5K. Randys path has been anything but ordinary: from athlete to Air Force, from scientist to global explorer, and now Netflix Star! We dive into his journey of blending science, storytelling, and media appearing on shows like All the Sharks  while also consulting and building his own brand....

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter , I sit down with Mark Losavio , Conservation Policy Manager for the Aquarium Conservation Partnership and Board Member of Black in Marine Science (BIMS). Marks work bridges ocean conservation, policy, and community, making science accessible while advocating for the voices that need to be heard most. We talk about his journey in marine science, his role in sh...

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter , were joined by Jennifer Johnson:  a digital nomad, scuba diver, freelance writer, podcast host, and career coach. With a masters in counseling and nearly a decade of experience recruiting engineering and biopharma students, Jennifer has spent her career helping people bridge the gap from college to career. In 2022, she and her husband set off on a globa...

On todays episode of Black Nerds Matter , were sitting down with Kory Lamberts:  Founder and CEO of the Aquatic Futures Foundation (AFF) . Kory is a passionate leader and environmental steward whos dedicated to building equity frameworks and reimagining how communities can thrive in the face of change. From the football field to environmental advocacy, from Middle Tennessee to Humboldt State,...

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter, were joined by Alana Robinson , a Somatic & Self-Empowerment Coach based in Los Angeles, CA. Alana helps people move through obstacles, reconnect with their bodies, and intentionally create lives they love. With a focus on body-wise self-awareness, resilience, and self-trust, her work centers on mind-body integration and meaningful transformation. In our...

  Introducing Milan Foston: lawyer, conservation leader, and champion of the blue economy, aquaculture, and diversity in marine science. Known affectionately as The Coral Doctor, Milans journey spans civil litigation, environmental law, scuba diving adventures, and her board role with the Aquatic Futures Foundation. With expertise in both policy and marine ecosystems, Milan is a fierce advoca...

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter , were joined by Germain Bebe a transformative leader in ocean innovation and a true tech visionary. With an MBA from West Texas A&M, a B.S. in Urban Planning from Florida Atlantic University, and over a decade of experience across nonprofit, climate-tech, and AI-driven ventures, Germain has built a career at the powerful intersection of technology, equity...

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter , were joined by Andreah Dre Pierre, a scientific illustrator, educator, and communicator who brings the natural world to life through art. Born and raised in Miami, Dres early love for the ocean carried her across the country, where she earned a Biology degree from Pomona College and a graduate certificate from CSU Monterey Bay. Now working as an independent...

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter , were joined by Leroy Green III a social scientist, community advocate, storyteller, and proud Black nerd forging a powerful path in ocean conservation. With a background in communication studies and rhetoric analysis, Leroy entered the world of marine science with no prior ties to the ocean. Now, after two and a half years in international government relatio...

On this episode of Black Nerds Matter , were thrilled to welcome Ebony D. Taylor , also known as the Bug Doctor Bloomed Entomologist. Ebony is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an NSF Graduate Research Fellow whose work sits at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity, and conservation. From investigating how environmental change affects invertebrate communities...

Today on Black Nerds Matter , were diving deep with Chant Davis a powerhouse marine science student, climate justice advocate, and shark conservationist whos already making serious waves in the world of ocean advocacy. Currently an undergrad at Duke University , Chant is majoring in marine science and conservation and minoring in journalism, arts, and media. At just 17, she organized a 400-mile Gu...

On todays episode of Black Nerds Matter , were honored to sit down with Dr. Kailani Acosta. She is a  biological oceanographer, science communicator, and a powerful voice for equity in STEM. Kailani currently serves as the Science Program Associate at OceanX , helping to drive innovative ocean exploration and research. She earned her Ph. D. in 2024 from Columbia University, where she studied...

Today on Black Nerds Matter , were honored to welcome the legendary Dr. Dawn Wright. She is a  marine geologist, deep-sea explorer, and Chief Scientist at Esri . Affectionately known as Deep Sea Dawn , she holds a long list of groundbreaking achievements, including becoming the first Black woman to dive to the ocean floor and the first Black person to reach Challenger Deep , the deepest point...

In this special episode of Black Nerds Matter , were joined by someone whos not only an award-winning journalist but also family. Ken Houston, Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning anchor of Good Morning Connecticut on WTNH News 8, sits down with Deidric to talk about his powerful journey through journalismfrom growing up in Kansas City to becoming a trusted face in broadcast news. Ken shares th...

Welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Today, we're honored to host Dr. Cam Mosley, a fisheries ecologist and National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Minnesota. Growing up along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Dr. Mosley developed a deep connection to the natural world, sparking their passion for environmental science. With a Ph. D. from the University of Notre Dame and undergr...

Welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Today, we're honored to host Dr. Stanton Belford, a professor of biology at Tennessee Southern in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Belford brings his Caribbean roots into his groundbreaking work in plant molecular biology, bioinformatics, and microbial ecology. He's also a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM, serving as a board mem...

Welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Today, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Alex Davis, a marine scientist from California State University, Northridge, whose dedication to advancing diversity and accessibility in STEM is reshaping the field. Originally from New Mexico, Dr. Davis brings a unique perspective to marine science, blending her passions for water polo, lifeguarding, diving, and science fiction....

we're excited to feature D'Karia Bascom, a senior at North Carolina A&T majoring in laboratory animal science and an emerging scientist with a passion for marine biology.

Welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Today, we're joined by Jalen Smith, a filmmaker and recent Yale University graduate who began his academic journey as a community college transfer student. At Yale, Jalen majored in political science and created a powerful documentary thesis on South Africa's energy crisis and its ties to systemic corruption.

Hello everyone, welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Joining us on today's episode is Teja Deonarine, a marine biology graduate with a strong passion for conservation. Teja has worked with major institutions like the New York, Virginia, and Mystic Aquariums, played a key role in initiatives like The Hudson River Project, and even uses her unique platform as a mermaid performer to inspire others and prom...

Welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Today, we're thrilled to introduce TreVaughn Ellis--a NOAA Hollings and Udall Scholar, recent American University graduate, and multi-talented artist, scientist, beekeeper, and firefighter! TreVaughn's incredible journey has taken him from the classroom to the coastlines, and even to Oregon's wildlands as a firefighter.

In this episode of Black Nerds Matter, we're excited to welcome Jasmine Suarez, a multi-award-winning technologist, mentor, and advocate with a Master's in Information Technology Management and Cybersecurity from Colorado State University-Global. Jasmine has worked as an advisor on Capitol Hill, guiding national and international leaders on technology security policies and innovative approaches in...

In this exciting episode, we welcome Madeleine Pacheco, a 2nd-year PhD student in the Barber Lab at UCLA, UC Santa Barbara alumna, and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship recipient. Madeleine shares her unique journey into the world of marine science, reflecting on how her upbringing, heritage, and community shaped her path as a scientist. As the first Hispanic guest on Black Nerds Matter, she opens...

Welcome to the 6th episode of Black Nerds Matter! We're joined by Cameron Cooper, a recent graduate from Morehouse College and a current Health Equity Scholar pursuing his Master's in Public Health at Brown University. Cameron's academic journey is nothing short of inspiring, as he's been a part of numerous prestigious programs, including SMASH Morehouse, McNair Scholars, The Diversity Project, an...