Aisha Bowe

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Aisha Bowe
Aisha Bowe LQ 2025.jpg
Bowe in the Philippines in August 2025
Born (1986-11-04) November 4, 1986 (age 38)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Alma mater University of Michigan
OrganizationSTEMBoard
Known forAerospace Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Website www.aishabowe.com

Aisha Bowe (born November 4, 1986) is a Bahamian-American aerospace engineer, STEM advocate, space tourist and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and CEO of STEMBoard, a technology company, and LINGO, an educational tech company featuring tutorials and online resources featuring NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. In 2020, STEMBoard landed on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately owned U.S. companies.

Contents

Bowe is the recipient of the NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal, US Women's Chamber of Commerce Emerging Star Award and Virginia Business magazine's Black Business Leaders Award.

On April 14, 2025, Bowe was part of the crew for Blue Origin NS-31's eleventh flight to sub-orbital space under the New Shepard program. [1] [2] [3]

Early life and education

Bowe grew up in the United States in a working-class family. Her high school guidance counselor recommended that she become a cosmetologist, and Bowe subsequently enrolled in Washtenaw Community College. Bowe's father encouraged her to take a mathematics class there, and with a foundation in mathematics, Bowe successfully transferred into engineering programs at the University of Michigan. [4] [5]

Bowe completed her undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering in 2008, and master's degree in space systems engineering in 2009, both at the University of Michigan. [6] [7] She cites her interest in science fiction as an influence on her choice of aerospace engineering. [8] One of her graduate professors, Thomas Zurbuchen, mentored her and inspired her to pursue a career at NASA. [9]

Career

Bowe worked in the Ames Research Center, in the Flight Trajectory Dynamics and Controls Branch of the Aviation Systems Division. [10] She joined the AST Flight and Fluid Mechanics group in 2009, assisting in the development of algorithms in support of Air Traffic Management. [11] In 2012 she received the National Society of Black Engineers award for Outstanding Technical Contribution for her paper "Evaluation of a Fuel Efficient Aircraft Maneuver for Conflict Resolution". [12] As a Bahamian-American, Bowe wants "to see more Bahamians in the science and technology field." [13] [14]

While at NASA, she served as liaison to the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program. [15] In this role, she mentored students, held interview workshops and led NASA site tours. [16]

Bowe is a part of the U.S State Department Speaker Program and delivered lectures in South Africa, Israel and Kuwait. [17] [18] [19] [20]

Bowe was awarded 2024 Woman of the Year by STEM FOR HER for her work contributions to the field of aerospace engineering and commitment to inspiring and mentoring young women in STEM. [1] She also received the 2024 Luminary Award at Black Enterprise's Women of Power Summit and being named Essence Magazine's POWER 40. [21]

Bowe traveled with Blue Origin in 2025 on Blue Origin NS-31, making her the first Black woman confirmed to travel with Blue Origin. [22] She also became the sixth Black woman to cross the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. [23] She shared the mission with guests Gayle King, Katy Perry, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn on 14 April 2025. [24]

In an interview with ABC News, Bowe shared that she mentored a 13-year-old girl who is now an aerospace engineer working for Blue Origin on one of the same rockets on which Bowe will be taking flight. [25]

On February 18, 2025 SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster landed off the coast of the Exumas. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOTIA) hosted a delegation of Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and special guests led by Prime Minister Phillip Davis at Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina to witness the event. [26] Bowe was invited for her role in creating space protocols in The Bahamas and her work in creating opportunities in STEM fields in the Bahamas.

Bowe attended the 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards where Kamala Harris received the Chairman Award. [27]

Bowe is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and a certified Program Management Professional by PMI. She is also a certified SSI scuba diver and a mountain climber. [4]

STEMBoard

Bowe is a co-founder and CEO of STEMBoard. The company provides professional advisory services to organizations in the U.S Government. [28] The company was founded in 2013 and is an SBA 8(a) Certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) supported by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce. [29] [30] [31]

STEMBoard was ranked on Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in 2020. [32] [33] The company was also the recipient of the Nunn-Perry Award 2022 presented by the United States Department of Defense. [34]

LINGO

Bowe founded LINGO, an education technology company, in 2022. [35] The company makes projects-based activities for kids. [36] [37] [38] The activities are available in the form of kits including coding kit that teaches hardware and software design. [39] [37] The lessons are self-paced. [40] The first kit was called "In the Driver's Seat" which taught kids to create and code a back-up sensor for an autonomous car. [40] The company provides kits to children in over 10 countries. [22]

Published works

Some of Bowe's selected publications are: [41]

Awards

Bowe has been recognized for her contributions to engineering, diversity, and equal opportunity by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Society of Black Engineers, and US Women's Chamber of Commerce. [42] [12] Some selected awards are:

References

  1. 1 2 3 Vlessing, Etan (May 1, 2025). "Aisha Bowe, Blue Origin Astronaut, Signs With CAA (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Blue Origin Announces Crew For New Shepard's 31st Mission". Blue Origin. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ Earl, Jennifer (March 27, 2025). ""CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King gears up for Blue Origin's women-led space flight in April. Here's what to know". CBS News. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Blount, Joresa (January 19, 2018). "From Community College To NASA". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  5. ↑ Pope-Chappell, Maya (October 11, 2016). "Meet the former NASA engineer helping to send careers into orbit". LinkedIn. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  6. ↑ Guy, Sandra (June 5, 2019). "Women Engineers You Should Know". SWE Magazine. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Former NASA engineer works to connect underrepresented youth to opportunities in science". Made at Michigan. University of Michigan. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  8. ↑ Asabea, Nana Yaa (October 22, 2017). "The Spirited Tech Entrepreneur - Aisha Bowe". The Minutes Publication. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Former NASA Engineer Makes Millions with STEMBoard - EBONY". www.ebony.com. July 23, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Bahamian engineer, Aisha Bowe wins 21st Century Trailblazers in Aerospace Award". www.thebahamasweekly.com. February 10, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  11. ↑ "BEYA Scientists 2013 - Where Are They Now?". US Black Engineer. August 18, 2017. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  12. 1 2 Bowe, Aisha R.; Santiago, Confesor (2011). Evaluation of a Fuel Efficient Aircraft Maneuver for Conflict Resolution (PDF) (Report). S2CID   51913631.
  13. ↑ "Aerospace engineer encourages STEM education". bahamaslocal.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Young Bahamian aerospace engineer pays courtesy call on Ambassador Newry". Embassy of the Bahamas to the United States. November 12, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  15. 1 2 Whachel, Robbin (July 13, 2012). "Bahamian-American Engineer Receives Prestigious NASA Honor Award for Equal Employment Opportunity". www.thebahamasweekly.com. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  16. ↑ "NASA engineer finds rewards" (PDF). MESA News. Vol. 36, no. 2. Summer–Fall 2012. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Inspirational Entrepreneur and STEM Expert, Aisha Bowe, visits South Africa". Startup Magazine. October 11, 2019. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Ms. Aisha Bowe lectured at FUTURE HIT Center". HIT - News and Events. Holon Institute of Technology. November 11, 2019. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Zain sponsors virtual talk hosted by GUST and ASCC". Kuwait Times. December 26, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Aisha Bowe Interview". U.S Speaker Programs (Interview). Interviewed by Kress, Molly. United States Department of State.
  21. ↑ "From Rocket Science To Space Travel, This Unicorn Founder's Journey To Success". Essence.com. November 12, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  22. 1 2 Bowe, Aisha (April 2023). "Rocket Scientist Aisha Bowe on a Mission to Inspire Others to Reach for the Stars". WIPO Magazine (Interview). Interviewed by Jewell, Catherine.
  23. ↑ Bowe, Aisha (October 27, 2022). "Aisha Bowe Is The First Black Woman Confirmed To Fly To Space with Blue Origin". AD Week (Interview).
  24. ↑ Replay: New Shepard Mission NS-30 Webcast. Van Horn, Texas, United States: Blue Origin. February 25, 2024. Event occurs at 15:30 UTC. Retrieved February 25, 2024..
  25. ↑ Bowe, Aisha (December 13, 2024). "Aisha Bowe prepares for historic space voyage as first Black woman aboard Blue Origin". ABCnews.com (Interview).
  26. ↑ Bowe, Aisha (February 18, 2025). "SpaceX Rocket Landing Makes History in The Bahamas". South Florida Caribbean News (Interview).
  27. ↑ Bowe, Aisha (February 22, 2025). "NAACP Image Awards 2025 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates: Kamala Harris, Kerry Washington and More". WWD.com (Interview). Interviewed by Botelho, Renan.
  28. ↑ "Katy Perry, Aisha Bowe Among All-Female Blue Origin Space Crew The pair joined a celebrity crew invited by Jeff Bezos' girlfriend Lauren Sanchez". inc.com. April 14, 2025.
  29. ↑ "STEMBoard - Advancing the Nation". stemboard.com. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Ognsc 10 12 17". Issuu. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  31. ↑ "ESSENCE Presents 'Woke 100 Women'". Essence.com. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  32. ↑ "August 17, 2020". Inc. 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  33. ↑ Robards, Chester (August 17, 2020). "Company run by Bahamian makes Inc. 5000 list". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Department of Defense Announces Winners of the Fiscal Year 2022 Nunn-Perry Award". U.S. Department of Defense. March 6, 2023.
  35. ↑ "2023 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards". content.yudu.com.
  36. ↑ "Entrepreneur & engineer Aisha Bowe creates STEMBoard Lingo Coding Kit to inspire". Techstination. December 15, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  37. 1 2 Carey, Teresa (June 26, 2020). "New Tech Startup Aims to Teach More Girls to Code". Freethink. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  38. ↑ Zemler, Emily (August 17, 2020). "How To Go Back To School Without Actually Going Back To School". Shondaland. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  39. ↑ Dorsey, Sherrell (July 12, 2020). "These Black Founders Succeeded In Spite of Silicon Valley". Wired. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  40. 1 2 Faerman, Zlata (February 9, 2021). "Best STEM Toys for Kids". NY Metro Parents. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Aisha Bowe". Google Scholar.
  42. ↑ "2012 National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Aerospace Conference Awards". NASA Aviation Systems Division. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  43. ↑ Davis, Amanda (July 21, 2023). "40 Under 40: STEMBoard's Aisha Bowe". Washington Business Journal.
  44. ↑ Trumbauer, Madeline (March 5, 2021). "Department of Aerospace Engineering alumna Aisha Bowe wins 2020 Outstanding Recent Alumna award". University of Michigan. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  45. ↑ Robards, Chester (August 17, 2020). "Company run by Bahamian makes Inc. 5000 list". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Annual Inc5000 2020". Inc. 5000. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  47. ↑ Ramos, Joseph (August 17, 2020). "Arlington Firms Make Inc. 5,000 Fastest-Growing U.S. Companies List". Arlington Now. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  48. 1 2 "Aisha Bowe – Digital Diversity Network". digitaldiversitynetwork.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  49. ↑ "NASA aerospace engineer Bowe lands at MTSU, Hobgood". MTSU News. April 15, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
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