Grace & GRIT: A Black Girl’s Journey in STEM

By Simisola Aromolaran, Ed.D.

“Just because no one else looks like you in the room doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the room.” — Oluwalademi Aromolaran

As a mother, there are moments when you realize that your child is no longer simply repeating what you taught them. They have developed convictions of their own. Their faith has become their faith. Their voice has become their voice.

That was one of those moments for me.

On a recent episode of The Seer Mother Podcast, I sat down with my daughter, Oluwalademi Aromolaran, a rising senior at Baylor University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Software Engineering concentration and a secondary major in Mathematics. What began as a conversation about STEM quickly became a testimony about purpose, faith, perseverance, and identity.

From Future Doctor to Future Software Engineer

Many people are surprised to learn that Oluwalademi did not begin college as a Computer Science major.

She entered Baylor University as a Neuroscience major on the pre-med track. Her interest in medicine was influenced in part by significant health challenges she experienced during high school. Like many students, she found herself torn between multiple interests and career possibilities.

Yet only a few weeks into college, something unexpected happened.

During an introductory neuroscience lab, students were required to use the programming language R to analyze research data and generate graphs. While many students focused on the research itself, Oluwalademi found herself captivated by the coding.

That moment became a turning point.

Rather than dreading the programming component, she loved it.

Instead of being energized by the medical research, she was energized by the technology behind it.

So she prayed.

And she sensed that God was redirecting her path.

The Relief of Walking in God’s Will

Many people assume changing majors is stressful.

For Oluwalademi, it was liberating.

She described feeling relief and joy after making the decision to leave pre-med and pursue Computer Science. The more she learned about the realities of becoming a physician, the more she realized she respected medicine but did not feel called to it.

The shift was not about taking an easier path.

In fact, Computer Science would prove to be incredibly demanding.

It was about aligning her life with God’s direction rather than remaining committed to a plan that no longer fit His purpose for her.

That lesson extends far beyond career decisions.

Sometimes the greatest act of faith is not staying on a path. Sometimes it is having the courage to change direction.

What It Feels Like to Be the Only One

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Oluwalademi spoke honestly about being a Black woman in STEM.

At Baylor University, she is frequently the only Black woman in her Computer Science classes. In some upper-level Mathematics courses, she remains the only Black woman in the room.

Imagine carrying the weight of difficult coursework while simultaneously carrying the awareness that very few people around you share your experience.

She described battling imposter syndrome.

She described wondering whether she belonged.

She described the loneliness that can accompany being the only one.

There were exams she failed.

There were moments she cried.

There were times she questioned herself.

Yet she continued.

Not because it was easy.

But because she believed God had called her there.

God Can Be Trusted

Throughout our entire conversation, one theme surfaced repeatedly.

God can be trusted.

When I asked her how she survived the academic rigor of Computer Science, she did not talk first about study strategies.

She talked about God.

She spoke about surrendering her fears.

She spoke about finding peace after disappointing grades.

She spoke about remembering that her identity was not defined by her GPA, her major, or her career aspirations.

She spoke about the Holy Spirit bringing knowledge and understanding during difficult seasons.

As parents, we often focus on helping our children achieve success.

But perhaps our greater responsibility is helping them build a faith strong enough to sustain them when success feels uncertain.

The Role of Family

One statement from Oluwalademi deeply touched me.

When asked about the role family played in her journey, she described family support as the second most important factor after God. She spoke about knowing she could share struggles without fear, discuss failures without hiding them, and receive encouragement when she wanted to quit.

As parents, we do not need to have all the answers.

Sometimes our greatest contribution is simply creating a safe place where our children can process life’s challenges honestly.

Support does not mean controlling.

Support means standing beside them while they discover God’s purpose for themselves.

A Message to Parents

One of the wisest insights she shared was directed toward parents whose children change career paths.

She challenged parents to remember that they are caretakers, not the authors of their children’s destiny.

She reminded us that God’s plans for our children are greater than our own preferences.

And she encouraged parents to pray for their children to discover God’s perfect will rather than merely pursuing what appears impressive, secure, or prestigious.

That is a challenging message.

But it is also a freeing one.

Grace and Grit

As we closed the conversation, I asked Oluwalademi what “Grace and Grit” means to her.

Her answer captured the heart of her journey.

Grit is perseverance.

Grit is endurance.

Grit is refusing to give up when things become difficult.

Grit is showing up even when you are tired, discouraged, or uncertain.

But grit alone is not enough.

Grace reminds us that our worth is not determined by our performance.

Grace reminds us that we are who God says we are.

Grace allows us to keep moving forward without being crushed by mistakes, failures, or setbacks.

Grace and grit together create resilience.

One keeps you moving.

The other keeps you grounded.

A Final Word to Every Young Woman

If there is one sentence I hope every young woman takes away from this conversation, it is this:

Just because no one else looks like you in the room does not mean you do not belong in the room.

Whether your calling is STEM, business, ministry, education, healthcare, or entrepreneurship, do not allow fear, comparison, or lack of representation to convince you that you are disqualified.

God’s purpose for your life is not determined by who is standing beside you.

A Black girl in STEM is courageous.

A Black girl in STEM belongs there.

And if God has called you there, He will sustain you there.

Because, as Oluwalademi reminded us throughout this conversation:

God can be trusted.

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Watch the Full Episode

Grace & GRIT: A Black Girl’s Journey in STEM https://youtu.be/zpps6r5X7LY?si=kTW-2xRyIhMSYOVY

Hosted by Simisola Aromolaran, Ed.D.

The Seer Mother Podcast

A conversation about faith, calling, resilience, and thriving as a Black woman in STEM.