Meet Kara Branch | Chemical Engineer & Founder and CEO of Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Branch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kara, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M) like Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dr. Glady West, and Dr. Marie M. Daly to name a few of the women who paved a way for me to become a Chemical Engineer. It’s because of them I am able to pave the way for the next girls who look like me with my nonprofit “Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation”. The women I named are hidden figures and it sad me today to be the only black woman in my role just like they were. There is a lot of change still needed in my industry and I am glad to be a part of it.

What should our readers know about your business?
Here at Black Girls Do Engineer, we are passionate about developing girls and young women ages 6 to 21 in all areas of STEM. Our organization goals are to provide access, awareness, and advocate for two million Black-American girls to pursue STEM careers by the year 2050. Our organization will provide mentoring, personal growth regimens, STEM projects and activities, STEM challenges, and guidance on career paths based on insight from professionals that are leaders in the STEM industry. What set me apart is I believe I was being prepared for this moment since the first day I started working in the S.T.E.M industry. My first manager had 50 years of industry experience and I am fortunate that her installed all of his experience into me. It made me the great engineer that I am today, but it also made me a hard worker. The hard work is what got me here today. Some of the lessons I learned along the way was to enjoy every moment of starting my nonprofit. Celebrate every when and learn from every lost.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Downtown Houston is where I like to spend time especially because our Houston chapter is headquartered here and all the great food and culture. Whether it’s just spending time at Discovery Green or eating at amazing Black-owned restaurants such as Phil & Derek’s Restaurant or Kulture, Downtown Houston is always a great time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My 11-year-old daughter “Ricki”. Ricki is the reason I started Black Girls Do Engineer. When my daughter was 9 years old, she came to me a said that she wanted to be a Software Engineer. It was very surprising when she said this to me, because as I Chemical Engineer, I never talked about what I did at work at home because of all the trials and tribulation I faced as being the only black women in my role. When my daughter said this to me, I knew I had to do 2 things: (1) if anyone can help her become an engineer it was her mom and (2) I wanted to create a space for girls who look like my daughter to come together and do the things they love to do. That was the day my nonprofit was born. Since the start of Black Girls Do Engineer in 2019, Ricki has not missed 1 meeting and it’s not because I am her mom, it’s because she is determined. All I have to do is put the meeting on her schedule and she does what she needs to do to show up to everything. Ricki has also been determined on her journey to becoming a software engineer. She has been coding since she was 9 and continue to develop her skills and create. My daughter provides me with the motivation to do the work I do, and I thank her for that!

Website: www.blackgirlsdoengineer.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlsdoengineer

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-girls-do-engineer-corporation

Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackgirlsdoengineer

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFCGl8XFDvEG1Mk4KoHBJCw

Image Credits
Black Girls Do Engineer