HIDDEN No More

Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan were the computers before there was an IBM. They were the code creating, formula writing; not-giving-up-no-matter-what beautiful black female geniuses who helped NASA catch up to Russia in the Space Race.

There was so much to love about Hidden Figures. At times I forgot that I was watching Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae which is a testament to their stellar acting abilities. Each woman showed passion, determination, grace, and intelligence in every aspect of their lives. Black love was front and center as we got to see the men behind each of these extraordinary women and their amazing love stories. The women worked, played, and prayed together which is always great to see in the African American community. Black women were praised and appreciated for their beautiful minds versus their beautiful bodies for once.  Little girls and young women now have a new set of role models.  If they didn’t know much about jobs or opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs before this film, they definitely do now.     

As I watched Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P. Henson, enter the briefing room filled with all of the leaders at NASA and other high-ranking officials I shook my head.  I know exactly how she must have felt. Well, maybe not exactly because she entered a boardroom where women (not just black women) were not allowed.  She entered this room when schools in the state of Virginia were still segregated.  She took a seat at the head of the table when there were still white and colored marked water fountains. She spoke with confidence in a building where she wasn’t allowed to use the restrooms.  No, I cannot relate to all of the hardships that African Americans had to face then, but there was something familiar about that particular scene in the briefing room.  There is a boardroom at my office, I only go there for the really important meetings; At the head of the table is where our CEO sits.  Next to him is our CFO and all around the room there are Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers, and then there’s me.  Every time I enter that boardroom I am nervous. No matter how well I know the information that I am presenting there is still a bit of fear deep down inside.  I am one of just a few females, I am the youngest, and I am the only black (male or female) seated at the table.  In a way, I feel as if I am representing for all black folks. I don’t want to make too many mistakes or appear unprepared so I strive to do my best not just for me but for the next black female or male that may find themselves in a seat at the table.

I’m not sure this is the case everywhere, however, this is my third company and the scene is the same. After seeing Hidden Figures, I think that the shift will begin. We will see more diversity in boardrooms across the world. More importantly, young women will see themselves in each of these amazing women and begin to break ceilings, open windows, and kick down doors.

I encourage every woman and man to turn off the FAKE housewives of whatever city and learn about the REAL black females of NASA.  The film is up for several awards; however, there are a few awards that may go unmentioned. Those awards are for the women and men whose stories are still hidden, left out of the history books, deleted from battles, tucked away in bookcases and erased as if they never existed.  It is up to each of us tell their stories. I appreciate Margot Lee Shetterly for writing such a captivating book.  Check out Hidden Figures today!! 

Be Great!!! 

C.A.C.H. 2017   

Fun Fact: Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson are all members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  #AKA1908 #AKAHIDDENFIGURES

Below is a cute picture of some of the members of Omicron Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. heading in to see the film on January 5th. (I'm the cute one in the green scarf on the back row, just in case you were wondering. LOL!)