Encouraging the next generation of African-American girls to consider career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) careers also involves an underlying message: be you, and be confident.

Angela Byars-Winston, PhD, professor, General Internal Medicine was the keynote speaker at the ninth annual “Yes, I Can! Yes, I Will!" Middle School Girls Conference on March 12, 2018. The event was organized by the Madison Links, a local chapter of national service organization The Links, Incorporated. The conference for middle school African American girls in the Madison Metropolitan School District occurred at Fountain of Life Church.

Using the movie Black Panther as an analogy, Dr. Byars-Winston spoke about the "queendom" portrayed in the story and explained that the exercise of adopting an internal attitude of royalty means having “the courage and the strength to allow myself to be me.”

During her talk, Dr. Byars-Winston covered the realities of historical and modern-day challenges for African-American women, including stark health disparities such as high rates of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and mortality from preventable diseases. In face of this, empowerment is key, she urged.

“Some folks think [Black Panther main character] T’Challa is strong because of the powerful vibranium suit he has on. But he is actually existing with power inside his heart...because he knows who he is,” she said.

Additional speakers and presenters at the event included Tracy Lewis-Williams, PhD, faculty associate, UW-Madison iSchool and JoAnne Brown, Multicultural Services Coordinator at Memorial High School in Madison.

Resources:

• "'We are powerful': African-American girls channel royalty from 'Black Panther' at Madison event," The Cap Times, March 13, 2018