The BEYA STEM Conference has been a popular event for nearly forty years, drawing in skilled professionals and students from across America. The conference recognizes individuals who have accomplished remarkable feats in engineering roles in either the industry or government sectors.

These individuals have also made a positive impact on society by serving as mentors and role models for minorities in the STEM fields. In the coming months, Black Engineer will revisit hundreds of award recipients who have graced the stage at the annual conference events.

Commander Desmond Walker, who served in the U.S. Navy, was recognized for his achievements as a potential executive officer of the USS Bainbridge. Inspired by his uncle’s encouragement to never let his skin color be the reason for failure, Walker took responsibility and personal accountability, with representation as his mission and performance as his expectation. Although he celebrated his award, he acknowledged that the following day would be business as usual, urging himself and others to keep pushing.

“In the summer of 1996, I visited family in Natchez, Mississippi, before shipping out to boot camp. My last stop was with my Uncle David. A Navy sailor himself, his words of encouragement carried intrinsic value that did not mature until several years later. His advice was never to let your skin color be the reason you’re unsuccessful. When I was commissioned in 2003, I realized he gave me responsibility and personal accountability. Representation was the mission, and performance was the expectation. This award represents a mission accomplished. Today, I celebrate. Tomorrow, it’s back to work. Keep grinding, thank you.”

Bridget Beamon, Ph.D., a principal systems engineer at Raytheon Technologies, has extensive experience in various fields, including systems of systems engineering, machine learning, data science, software architecture, and coding. Dr. Beamon holds several patents, including one pending for natural language processing.

Although she faced many obstacles, Dr. Beamon’s dedication and perseverance enabled her to become the first person in her family to serve as valedictorian and earn a Ph.D.

“This recognition motivates me to keep envisioning what the future holds. As Michelle Obama once said, ‘You don’t just become something. You are always becoming, evolving.’ If I could go back in time and mentor my younger self, I would teach her that you cannot do everything alone. Collaborate with others. You are capable of more than you think. Believe in yourself, and you can overcome any adversity, for no force on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come.”