Honoring 50 Phenomenal Black Women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math.

3. As an undergraduate physics major at Cal State LA some thirty plus
years ago, the Council provided me with an income, mentorship, mo-
tivation, direction, summer jobs, role models, and countless other
tangibles and intangibles too numerous to list. Thus it is with great
anticipation that we face the next fifty years of existence of the Los
Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers (LACBPE).
The mission of the LACBPE; “shall be to endeavor to enhance the ed-
ucational employment and business opportunities of minority (Black)
individuals.” Over the last six years that I have served as your presi-
dent, one of my focuses was addressing the sustainability of our organization into the distant fu-
ture. The desired outcome was to transition to a NEW generation of leaders that are ready, willing
and able. We have found? that present and future generation of leaders in our midst.
To lead is to be a trailblazer. The 50 Phenomenal Black Women and Rising Star Engineers we are
honoring tonight are all trailblazers in their technical professions, and are up to the task of moving
the Council forward. Their academic and work experiences affirms that these 50 Phenomenal
Black Women and Rising Star Engineers are able. They are Capable of moving and growing the
Council in a Sustainable fashion, thus assuring that the organi-
zation will continue to be viable for the next fifty years.
My work in the community is focused on the mathematics edu-
cation of Black students in the Los Angeles Unified School Dis-
trict. It will take organizations committed to Math, Science and
Engineering education to achieve that goal. The future looks
bright with the next generation(s) of the able cadres of the Los
Angeles Council’s 50 Phenomenal Black Women and Rising Star
Engineers at the helm.
Dr. Batie with Cynthia Guidry at the STEM Lab
1.

4. YOLANDE BECKLES, CONSULTANT
I have the enormous pleasure and huge opportunity of introducing you to the 50 Phenom-
enal Black Women and 7 Rising Stars, in the 50th Year of the Los Angeles Council of
Black Professional Engineers celebrating tonight at The Proud Bird Grand Ballroom.
What an honor this has been to be working on such a dynamic project. Who would of
thought that a Black woman from the UK would of had such an amazing opportunity I am
truly humble. I want to take this opportunity to thank the President Michael Batie PhD,
Immediate Past-President Leroy Freeman Jr, Vice-President Cash Sutton III P.E, Treasurer
Phillip A. Downing P.E, Secretary Dana Johnson, Member-at-Large Al Nicholson P.E for
commissioning me.
This was their vision, six Black men who wanted to honor 50 Phenomenal Black women
and 7 Rising Stars so let’s salute them!
Let me tell you something about the program because tonight is only the start. The work began with Sam Wilson III
Membership Chair and I contacting our current and past members. At first it was like pulling teeth! Because some
of our amazing and Phenomenal Black women did not see themselves that way. Why? How many women do you
know that have an undergraduate degree, a Masters, a MBA , PhD, gave birth to five children, had a family and
have a professional career. Well you have the privilege of sitting at a table with them tonight. So let's applaud
them.
Emeritus President Lois L Cooper embodied the three C's Character, Courage and Commitment and that she
wanted the organization to continue to provide an inspiration to generations of women to come well tonight she
would be very proud to see we accomplished her dream 50 Phenomenal Black Women and 7 Rising Stars.
The next stage of our work will be a book in the Fall 2019 and an exhibition on the 50 Phenomenal Black Women
and all the proceeds will go to the council so we can support the development of their vision for future years.
The 7 Rising Stars will work alongside the organization and the 50 Phenomenal Black Women as we launch our
new 2020 program Black Girls in STEM targeting K-12 students in Los Angeles.
Finally I want to thank the Committee Co-Chairs Sam Wilson III P.E. and Rhonda Hayes please stand along with
the women committee members Jovita Jenkins, Nicole Toler, Carole Sanders P.E, Terri Grant and Past President
Syvilla Weatherford for reading all those resumes and bios and making the final selection tonight.
Congratulations to all the beautiful, smart, brilliant phenomenal Black women and rising stars!
2.

5. Phenomenal Woman (excerpt)
By: MAYA ANGELOU
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a
fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
3.

6. Co-Chair Rhonda Hayes Co-Chair Samuel Wilson III P.E.
Committee Member
Carole Sanders P.E.
Committee Member
Jovita Jenkins
Committee Member
Terri Grant
Committee Member
Nicole Toler
Committee Member
Syvila Weatherford
4.

7. President Emeritus
Lois Cooper P.E.
President from 1975-1976
1. First Black Female to be hired in the
Engineering Department at the Cali-
fornia Department of Transportation
(CALTRANS, formerly California Di-
vision of Highways) in 1953. Passed
her Principles and Practice of Engi-
neering exam on the first try
2. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1931. An early aptitude for math led her to
attend Tougaloo College, leaving early due to financial reasons
3. In 1950, Cooper moved to California and found her calling in 1953 when she
answered an ad for an Under Engineering Aide with the Division of Highways
(CALTRANS)
4. Completed her degree in Mathematics and took Engineering classes at night
5. 1st
African American woman with an Engineering License in California after
passing her Professional Engineers test on the first try
6. First Female Director of the HOV (called Diamond Lane at the time) Program
7. Retired in 1991 and began working as a Mentor/Teacher, being the first wom-
an to join the Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers
Lois Cooper P.E. embodied Character, Courage and Commitment and will
continue to provide an inspiration to generations of women to come.
5.

8. Los Angeles Council of Black Professional
Engineers - Past President 1980-1982
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Patent Attorney
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical
Engineering/Computer Science
University of Southern California
Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering/
Digital Electronics
Western State University College of Law
Juris Doctor
6.
Los Angeles Council of Black Professional
Engineers - Past President 1987-1989
IBM Corporation - Retired
School of Biblical Instructions/
School of Ministry
Diploma in Theology
University of La Verne
MBA in Business
California State University Northridge
BS in Engineering

9. Cosumnes River College
Adjunct Professor in Biological Sciences
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering
California State University, Los Angeles
Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering
Arizona State University
Bioengineering Ph.D. program at
Arizona State University
Kaiser Permanente
Project Engineer
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
7.

10. Lockheed Martin EBS
System Integration Associate Manager
University of Maryland
University College, Adelphi, MD
Master of Science:
Information Technology/
Information Assurance
Strayer University, Arlington, VA
Bachelor of Science:
Networking / Web Development
Raytheon
Systems Engineer
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Bachelor of Arts in Physics
8.

11. Arcadis, Inc.
Engineering Consultant
San Jose State University
Norm Mineta Transportation Institute
Master of Science
in Transportation Management
Howard University
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Jacobs
Project Engineer
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
9.

12. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Deputy Executive Director
Planning & Development Group (PDG)
Pepperdine University
Masters of Business Administration
University of California at Irvine
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Equilon Enterprises LLC
dba Shell Oil Products US - Retired
Senior Program Manager
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science Degree
in Chemical Engineering
UCLA
Master of Business Admiration with
emphasis in finance and accounting
10.

13. IDEMIA AUGMENTED IDENTITY
Product Management Executive,
Biometric Solutions – Border &
Passenger Facilitation
Pepperdine University—
George Graziadio School of Business
and Management
Master of Business Administration
Loyola Marymount University–
Frank R. Seaver College of
Science & Engineering
Bachelor of Science in
Electrical Engineering
Black Women in Science and Engineering
(BWISE)
President and Founder
BP Inc
Business Improvement Program Manager
Georgia Tech
Masters of Business Administration
Louisiana State University
Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering
11.

14. Chevron
Fixed Equipment Integrity Team Lead
California State Polytechnic University
Masters of Science in Engineering
(Mechanical Emphasis)
Queen Mary and Westfield College
Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering
California Professional Engineering License
(Mechanical Engineering)
Raytheon
Engineering Manager III (Senior Principal
Multi-Disciplined Engineer)
University of Southern California
Masters of Science in Materials Engineering,
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelors of Science in Materials Engineering,
Certificate in Systems Engineering
12.

15. General Electric (GE) Power
Engineering Development Program
California State University Long Beach
Bachelor of Science
in Electrical Engineering
Shule
CEO and Founder
National University
Masters of Science in Computer Science
Ashford University
Bachelors of Science
in Environmental Science
13.

16. JHP Consulting & Collaboration
Present Human Resources Collaborator
University of Pennsylvania
Executive Master of Science
Engineering, Management of Technology
Princeton University
Bachelor of Science, Engineering
Engineering Management Systems
Pepperdine University
PhD Student
Global Leadership and Change
Aerospace Engineer - Retired
Executive/Leadership & Transition Coach
University of California, Los Angeles
BS and MS degrees in Math
Master’s in Business Administration
14.

17. Raytheon
Program Manager in the area of
Resilient Navigation R-NAV
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor's of Science degree in
Mechanical Engineering
Master's of Science degree in
Engineering Management
Northrop Grumman
Opto-Mechanical Engineer
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science in
Aerospace Engineering
Master of Science degree in
Systems Engineering
15.

18. Founder of The B-RELYT
Los Angeles County Sanitation District
Project Engineer at the in the Sanitation District’s
Sewer Management Department
Loyola Marymount University
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Inventory and Supply Chain Planning leader
George Washington University
Master of Science degree with an emphasis on
Corporate Social Responsibility
Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
North Carolina State University
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
16.

19. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Retired Program Area Manager
University of California, Los Angeles
Master of Science in Computer Science
Specialization: Computer Architecture and
Software Engineering (MCASE)
Tuskegee Institute, Alabama
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
(Summa cum laude)
Specialization: Applied Mathematics
and Computer Science
Black Women in Technology
Founder & CEO
Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Science, Information Systems
Harrisburg Area Community College
Associate of Applied Science
Respiratory Care
Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems
17.

20. AeroJet Rocketdyne
Pro Unlimited Contractor
University of Phoenix
Master’s of Science, Technological Management
Bachelor of Science, Business Management
Pierce College
Associate of Liberal Art
L.A. METRO
Highway Program Department
Senior Director, Highway Program
University of Southern California
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
New Jersey Institute of Technology
BS in Civil Engineering (BSCE)
18.

21. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems
Program Manager in the Advanced Early
Warning Systems Raytheon Space and
Airborne Systems
University of California, Los Angeles
Aerospace Engineering
Loyola Marymount University
City of Carson
Director of Public Works
Pepperdine University
Master of Business Administration
Loyola Marymount University
Master of Science, Civil Engineering
California State University Northridge
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
19.

22. Raytheon Satellite and Airborne Systems
Deputy Integrated Product Lead for
Electronic Module Assembly
Cost Account Manager, VIIRS,
Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite
California State University, Long Beach
Master of Science: Electrical Engineering
Howard University, Washington DC
Bachelor of Science: Electrical Engineering
Founder/President/CEO – O2EPCM, Inc.
University of California, Los Angeles
Master of Science
Civil & Environmental Engineering
California State University, Northridge
Bachelor of Science
Civil & Structural Engineering
20.

23. IBM
Artificial Intelligence,
Advanced Analytics and Cognitive Solutions
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science degree in
Mathematics and Computer Science
Raytheon
Retired
California State University Long Beach
College of Engineering
California Poly San Luis Obispo
Degrees in Architecture
Computer Engineering
Applied Mathematics
21.

24. Raytheon
Space and Airborne Systems
Secure Sensor Solutions (S3)
GPS & Navigation Systems (GNS)
Senior Program Manager
Loyola Marymount University, L.A.
Masters of Business Administration
Management
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering
Caltrans
Program/Project Management
Senior Transportation Engineer, Supervisor
California State University, Northridge
Bachelor of Science , Civil Engineer
Option: Structures
George Washington University
Masters Certification, Project Management
22.

25. Established CTI Environmental, Inc.
(CTI) an environmental construction
and safety consulting firm
Drexel University
Bachelor of Science degree
in Chemical Engineering
Los Angeles World Airports
Senior Airport Engineer
State of California
Professional Civil Engineering license
Prairie View A & M University
Bachelor of Science degree
in Civil Engineering
23.

26. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Software Engineer
Clark Atlanta University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Raytheon
Senior Principal Multi-Disciplined
Materials and Processes Engineer
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science, Materials Engineering
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Master of Science, Quality Assurance
24.

27. Metro’s C/LAX Team
Senior Construction Manager
Anderson School at UCLA
Masters of Business Administrations,
Operations
Stanford University
Bachelors of Science Civil Engineering
Northrop Grumman
Staff Software and System Quality
Engineer – Aerospace Systems
California State University – Northridge
Masters of Engineering Management
Prairie View A&M University
Bachelor of Science –Electrical Engineering
Magna Cum Laude Graduate
25.

28. Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation
Co-Founder & Director of Career Placement
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Certificate in Management Effectiveness
USC Graduate School of
Business Administration
College Counseling Certificate
UC San Diego
Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®
HigginsWorks LLC
Founding Principal and
Chief Executive Officer
Biola University
Master of Business Administration
University of California, Irvine
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
26.

29. Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works
Principal Engineer
Vanderbilt University
Bachelors of Engineering, Environmental
and Water Resources
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Masters of Science, Public Administration
University of Southern California
Fast Track Entrepreneur Program
Northrop Grumman – Aerospace Systems
Engineer Electrical, Ground & Avionics
Systems Development
Ohio Northern University
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
University of Southern California
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
with Emphasis on Computer Architecture
and Networks
27.

30. Jacobs
Project Management Consultant
The University of Toledo
Master of Business Administration
Executive Management
Bachelor of Science
Electrical Engineering
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
Project Engineer, Systems Engineering –
Military Aircraft Systems
University of California at Irvine
Certificate in Project Management
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Bachelor of Science
Industrial Engineering
28.

31. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Strategic Planning Manager
Grand Canyon University
Masters of Science, Public Administration,
Government & Public Policy, 2019 (expected)
University of Southern California
Bachelors of Science, Industrial &
Systems Engineering
University of the Pacific
Transit Paratransit Management
Certificate Program
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory:
Deputy Project System Engineer
for the Psyche Mission
University of Kentucky
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
MS in ME (focus: Vibrations & Controls)
29.

32. Elizabeth Eboka
Florida International University
Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering
Elroi Kibret
California State University Long
Beach
Bachelor of Science
Biomedical Engineering
30.

33. Niamani Knight
S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids ExpoTM
Founder
Saugus High School
Senior
Norah Nyangau
Berkeley City College
Associate Transfer
California State University
Long Beach
Bachelor of Science, Biomedical
Engineering
31.

34. Sia Turay
California State University
Long Beach
Civil Engineering
Timirah James
TechniGal LA
Founder
Valerie Sharp
California State University Northridge
Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
32.

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