Nia Asemota
Founder | Author | Artist | TEDx Speaker | Software Engineer
ArtxNia LLC
As the Founder of ArtxNia LLC, I create diverse educational resources—like coloring books, puzzles, and children's books—that inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM. My work, including 'Black Girls CODE the Future' and 'Latinas in STEM' coloring books, highlight representation and empowers the next generation of leaders. As a STEM educator and speaker, I've co-developed robotics programs for students in underserved NYC communities and worked as a technical instructor at various orgs like Black Girls CODE. My passion for design and education shines through my workshops, where I inspire the next generation of innovators.
I love that our team and projects are focused on making STEM more accessible to students, scientists, and everyday people!
Typically my days start with morning check-ins with my team. We discuss project goals, new ideas, and any challenges that may have arisen. I am either coding or in other team-wide meetings surrounding our projects for the remainder of the day.
Growing up, I always envisioned myself studying to become a doctor. However, joining the robotics team in high school introduced me to the world of engineering and I fell in love. During my first year in college, I still had a passion for biology and studied Biomedical Engineering. It wasn't until the end of my second year that I took my first coding class, fell in love, changed my major, and obtained a Computer Science minor. I also found free online courses or projects to work on outside of classes to help my programming skills. Who would've thought that the girl who taught herself how to code a few years ago would have interned at NASA and become a Software Engineer?
I will continue using my voice and art to advocate for women and underrepresented communities, especially in STEM! Recently, I've also been very interested in Artificial Intelligence and ways to challenge bias in the field.
I've always had a passion for drawing and I've been creating art ever since I could hold a crayon. Last year, I created and self-published the 'Black Girls CODE the Future' coloring book as an ode to inspire girls and young women of color in STEM and to provide them with role models in these fields. I also love playing sports and am the biggest 'plant mom'.
“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” ~ Maya Angelou