“There’s no way I can bag groceries for the next 40 years.” That’s the moment it shifted. That was when Dr. Rittenhouse had the epiphany, the desire to go to college. But how would he navigate college? He had no idea what he would major in. No one in his family had ever gone to college. He would be the first-generation Rittenhouse who would go to college. Dr. Justin Rittenhouse didn’t come from legacy academia or a long line of engineers. He came from a working-class family,

“There’s no way I can bag groceries for the next 40 years.” That’s the moment it shifted. That was when Dr. Rittenhouse had the epiphany, the desire to go to college. But how would he navigate college? He had no idea what he would major in. No one in his family had ever gone to college. He would be the first-generation Rittenhouse who would go to college. Dr. Justin Rittenhouse didn’t come from legacy academia or a long line of engineers. He came from a working-class family,

This may always have been the case, but cultural fluency is the best strategy and currency for doing business in Nigeria in 2026, leading to better relationships, smoother negotiations, and increased success rates. While global policies and trade headlines have shifted, the fundamental truth remains. Nigeria’s strength lies not just in its oil or capital, but in the diversity of its 250+ ethnic groups. Recognizing the regional diversity could help investors and diaspora membe

We celebrate African billionaires, but is wealth at the top the right metric to inspire us all? While that is inspiring, are we aware of the barriers that might hinder our own investments in Africa and how to overcome them? Addressing these concerns can help us move from inspiration to action. ​Yes, representation matters. But wouldn’t it be more transformative for people of African ancestry to focus on  structural leverage and wealth that they can easily achieve by diversify

Across the African continent, a quiet movement is underway in many classrooms. Albeit not evenly across the continent for apparent reasons, it is happening. This movement is fueled by artificial intelligence, personalized learning, and visionary leadership. We are witnessing a new kind of transformation, one that is empowering students and young entrepreneurs not just to consume knowledge but to imagine, create, and lead in the age of AI, technology, and innovation. The conti

This is a Metaphor to Inspire Federal Workers Who Have Been Furloughed. Channeling Fears (Like Fear of Swimming) into a Steppingstone Toward Endless Possibilities. At the Edge of Fear The sound of water can stir two very different emotions: joy in the swimmer, and terror in the fearful. This morning, I watched a coach guide an adult who trembled at the pool’s edge. Every gentle instruction met the same reaction: hesitation, panic, retreat. As I watched, one thought gripped me

A Woman Standing in the Middle of a Maze, Facing the Challenge of Figuring Out a Solution to a Problem. Several thousand scientists and federal workers are furloughed, and many of them are women. Although I used a metaphor of a swimmer, I wrote this article to inspire courage and resolve. This will also pass. The fear of water is primal. It grips, it paralyzes, and for many, it prevents them from experiencing simple joy and profound freedom of swimming.   I was watching a coa

AI-Generated Image This post in this link, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/josephogundare_menneedlovetoo-silentbattles-goodmendeservemore-...

Author: Dr. Ayo Olufade, STEAM Educator | Podcast Host | Author | Entrepreneur | Advocate for Diversity in STEAM This morning, I came across a post that stopped me cold:    “Benevolence is not a strategy; investment is.” I’ve been trying to make this point to African leaders and our BIPOC communities for years. Africa does not need pity, we need leadership and tough choices like China, India, and Rwanda shown is possible with technology. Africa cannot depend on the benevolent

Author: Dr Ayo Olufade Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping everything from healthcare to education to governance. But here’s the...

Africa is not just rising, it is repositioning. With strategic assets in critical minerals , a dynamic tech landscape , and the world's...

Dr. Olufade breaks down the harsh realities behind income inequality in Black communities, where advanced degrees often don't translate...

Recently, I started thinking a lot about our collective fascination with artificial intelligence and why there is so much energy and...

Are We Nearing the “point of return” when it comes to global warming and climate change? Lessons from Earth's "Great Dying" As a...

By Dr. Ayo Olufade The National Science Foundation (NSF) is not just a federal agency; it is the driving force behind American discovery....

AI-Generated Image By Dr. Ayo Olufade, PhD, Host of STEAM Sparks - Think STEAM Careers Podcast. What if every human being emits a unique...

AI-Generated Image Your Voice, Your Ideas, Your Contribution Matter! Innovation doesn't happen in isolation. The world we live in today...

By Dr. Ayo Olufade On the 75th Anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF), I sat down with Dr. Adriana Bankston for a special...

“History isn’t just found in the ground. It’s carried in the voices of those who remember.” On a remote island off the coast of British...

Yes, that's correct! African countries have a significant and promising potential to take the lead and become key contributors in the...