Dancing Through Barriers: Yamilée Toussaint's STEM Revolution

Apr 2, 2025

Yamilée Toussaint, founder of STEM From Dance and 2024 CNN Hero, is revolutionizing STEM education by merging it with dance for girls of color. She discusses her journey from teaching algebra to empowering over 4,000 girls through this unique approach. The conversation highlights how dance builds resilience and confidence, encouraging young girls to engage with technical fields. Yamilée also emphasizes the critical need for diverse perspectives in STEM and reflects on her nomination as a CNN Hero, showcasing the power of community support in education.

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ANECDOTE

Few Black Women in Mechanical Engineering

Yamilée Toussaint was one of only two Black women in her mechanical engineering major at MIT.
Her confidence stemmed from her father's legacy and experiences in dance and music.

INSIGHT

Early STEM Drop-off in Girls

Societal messages and gendered toys can discourage girls from pursuing STEM.
This leads girls to internalize negative beliefs about their math abilities as early as eight years old.

ANECDOTE

Finding Stimulation Outside School

Yamilée Toussaint felt bored in elementary school and sought challenges elsewhere.
This experience, along with conversations with her father, made her realize her potential for more.

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Can dance transform how girls engage with STEM? Yamilée Toussaint, founder of STEM From Dance and 2024 CNN Hero, is breaking barriers by fusing creative movement with technical learning to empower young girls of color. Her innovative approach has reached over 4,000 girls nationwide, helping them build confidence in math and science through dance. In this inspiring conversation, Yamilée shares her journey from teaching high school algebra to creating a national organization that's changing the face of STEM education. Learn how dance builds the resilience and confidence girls need to succeed in technical fields and why diverse perspectives are crucial for innovation in our rapidly changing world.

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