In July of 2020, co-founders Kamaria Ajamu and Nkoyo Ojuok created the non profit organization #BELikeAGirl specifically with the goal of engaging girls of African descent between the ages of 9 and 18 who demonstrate a desire to have careers in STEM fields. Due to the under representation of Black women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, #BELikeAGirl was developed with the goals of:
- To ensure that each participant has the opportunity to engage fully by making formatting accessible for a wide range of abilities
- Utilizing the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. model to engage girls of African descent and to assist them in the claiming of agency in their futures.
- Creating a supportive global environment for girls of African descent to explore their interests in STEM fields with other girls of similar ethnicity and visions. This community will be fostered through a bi-weekly virtual meeting in which participants will be empowered to explore various STEM fields in a array of geographic spaces through the use of the BE Box.
- Through a bi-weekly seminar, we seek to create opportunities for girls of African descent to engage and learn from Black women throughout the diaspora who currently have careers in STEM.
- To host a yearly conference in which girls of African descent and their mothers can discuss and challenge societal views of the capabilities of Black women to thrive in STEM fields, while also creating a stable and supportive village that will play a pivotal role in the success of meeting these goals.
- To provide participants with the guidance to buttress their visions from the time that they begin the program until the point of fruition. This will include assistance with course selections, college and field relevant preparatory courses, identifying mentors, as well as continued support throughout their post-secondary education.
Co-Founders
Kamaria Akechi Ajamu (A.K.A. Kenya Loudd) is a native of Fort Worth, Texas where she attended and graduated from the legendary P.L. Dunbar High School . After graduation, she served in the United States Navy until suffering from an acute allergic reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. After spending a month in a coma and another two months recovering from multiple surgeries, Kamaria left the hospital with limited eye sight in her right eye, burns on 60% of her body and a uncertain medical future. After an array of corrective surgeries, Kamaria decided that she did not want to pursue any other plastic surgeries, but instead embraced her scars as a testament of her strength that were one of the many things that marked her as a survivor.
Fifteen years after her initial reaction, Kamaria was married (to Junichi Bomani) with children when Stevens-Johnson’s would return to claim the majority of her vision. Determined not to be deterred from her dreams, she decided to pursue her college degree and began this journey less than a year after the loss of her vision. Since then, she has graduated with honors with a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies–concentrated in African American Studies, Disability Studies and Leadership Studies–from the University of Texas at Arlington and is currently pursuing a joint doctoral degree in African American Studies and the History of Science and Medicine at Yale University. Her research interests examine the nexus of race, disability, education and institutionalization from the purview of the Black Experience.
Her name meaning: “one who is as bright as the moon”; “right hand of God”; and “one who fights for what they want”, is an active reminder of her journey, purpose and strength. Beyond the scope of her education, Kamaria considers herself to be a scholar-activist and community stakeholder invested in the upliftment, building and sustained growth of the people within the African diaspora. It is because of her dedication to the fulfillment of her community-given name that she continues to shine a light on racism, ablism, sexism and classism no matter where it dwells.
Nkoyo Binah Ojuok is a mother, organizer, businesswoman, performer, healer, and independent educator. A mother of 8 beautiful children, Nkoyo is the epitome of Afrikan motherhood. She has dedicated her life to building her family, growing her businesses, and breaking the cycle of generational poverty by building, and passing down, a legacy of hard work and success that will be carried on for generations to come. As an organizer, Nkoyo has been an active member of her community for the past 20 years. From serving as a youth mentor, an advocate for young mothers, and an avid volunteer for local causes, to her current position as the Co-Minister of Education (along with her husband, Amin Ojuok) of the Provisional Government of the Republic of New Afrika, Nkoyo has consistently made a powerful impact in the lives of those she has been called to serve. Nkoyo has worked/collaborated with several high impact community organizations, including (but not limited to) Americorps, The People’s Lunch Counter, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, the Temple of Nu Afrikan Unity (as co-founder), the Nation of Islam, My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper, S.T.E.P., The Dock Bookshop, Pan Afrikan Connection, S.O.U.N’D, Inc., LSRBG, RBG Nation, the Sacred Sister Circle (co-founder), 619 Productions and more. She has toured nationally as a trainer, lecturer, and Hip Hop Activist. Nkoyo focuses her power as a healer on the healthy birthing of Afrikan babies. As a birthworker and aspiring Midwife, Nkoyo is renowned for her ability to facilitate the comfort and confidence of expecting mothers through her extensive knowledge of natural, proven, prenatal and postpartum techniques. As a businesswoman, Nkoyo Ojuok is a trailblazer.
As Co-Founder of the Uhuru Academy Education Solutions, LLC, Nkoyo, along with her husband/business partner Amin, has revolutionized education for children of Afrikan descent in the U.S. and abroad. In just 10 years, this dynamic team has introduced Afrikan Centered, Empowerment Based, education to youth, families, institutions, and communities throughout the diaspora. As a performer (acting, dance and MC), Nkoyo has used her immense talents and abilities to motivate and encourage the youth, her peers, and her elders to reach their full potential, continue to embrace growth, and become agents of powerful change. “Nkoyo” means “woman who can do all things”. Nkoyo Binah Ojuok is the embodiment of that name. A true trailblazer and warrior queen, our community was made stronger the day this sister looked in the mirror and said “I know I’m a god, I put that on my life”.
Nkoyo and Kamaria met in the Summer of 2012 when Kamaria’s daughter attended her very first Uhuru Summer session. The two quickly became sister-friends, bonding through life experiences, and more importantly, their dedication and vigor for being organizers and catalyst for change within their local, national and global communities. Together, they have assisted and organized:
- As teachers at the Uhuru Academy
- The RBG Family Weekend
- The Sacred Sistah Circle
- The Uhuru Academy annual Pharoah’s Ball
- The Black Parent Teacher Organizatiohn
- The A.C.E. annual conference
- The Black Love is Black Power Annual Couple’s Retreat
- Community Kwanzaa
- An array of Fund Raising drives to assist under served and under represented communities
- The junior Sister Circle
