Yamilée Toussaint

Yamilée Toussaint is the founder and CEO of STEM From Dance, a nonprofit organization that connects science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with the art of dance. Toussaint's journey into social entrepreneurship began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied mechanical engineering and led the dance team. During her time at MIT, she observed a lack of representation of Black women in STEM fields, which underscored the need for greater diversity in these career paths.

After earning her degree, Toussaint taught high school algebra through Teach for America, where she noticed that few girls of color were engaged in STEM subjects. While teaching in Brooklyn, she found that many students held negative perceptions about math, often due to a lack of inspiring instruction or real-world relevance. This realization motivated her to create new pathways for engagement.

Toussaint founded STEM From Dance in Brooklyn with the goal of decreasing gender and racial disparities in STEM by building confidence among girls of color and expanding their exposure to STEM career options. The organization offers a network of three-week summer camps for girls ages 8 to 18, featuring daily lessons on topics such as coding, costume construction, music composition, and circuitry. Participants integrate these skills into dance routines, which they choreograph and perform at the end of each camp session. The program operates in nine cities across the United States and is offered free of charge to participants. STEM From Dance has received significant support from corporations and foundations, including a $2 million grant from Google's charitable arm to advance artificial intelligence learning.

Toussaint holds a Bachelor of Science from MIT and a Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University. She has received several honors, including the Teach For America Social Innovation Award, AnitaB.org Educational Innovation Award, AAAS/IF THEN Ambassador distinction, MIT MLK Leadership Award, and the Falling Walls Foundation Science Engagement Breakthrough of the Year. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Essence Magazine, Glamour Magazine, and Dance Magazine.

Toussaint was named one of the Top 5 CNN Heroes, an honor that brought national attention to her work. She was recognized at CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, where ballerina Misty Copeland shared her story. STEM From Dance has served more than 4,000 girls nationwide, with a vision to reach 1 million participants. Toussaint emphasizes the importance of including diverse voices in STEM, stating that solutions to global challenges depend on the creativity, intellect, and curiosity that girls of color bring to the field.