Los Angeles, CA— Dr. Bettye Davis Walker was honored at Holman United Methodist Church’s program “Great Ladies of the Space Age” sponsored by A-MAN, Inc., STEM Center.
Dr. Bettye Walker, a pioneer of STEM education for at-risk students populations, and internationally renowned educational innovator, former university professor, researcher, has worked with students in Europe, West Africa, and presently in South Africa. Dr. Walker was honored alongside actress Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Uhura in Star Trek and its film sequels, and Dr. Mae C. Jemison, a former NASA astronaut and the first African-American woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor in 1992.
Pastor Victor Cyrus-Franklin opened the program with Prayer and grace, and Rev Louis Chase, Assistant Pastor, closed the program with Prayer. Justin Walker, an A-MAN Board member and Lead Trainer for Sandy Hook Corporation, travels throughout the US to train secondary students in Mental Health and Violence Prevention. He opened the Program with a personal Tribute that he wrote to honor Dr. Walker.
Atta’ya Reed-Brown, an A-MAN Board member and Program Manager in Global Supply Chain at Northrop Grumman, moderated the program. Panelists included Dr. Ken Phillips, California Science Center’s Curator for Aerospace Science, Gaila Williams, A-MAN Board member and Corporate Consultant, and Ivor Dawson, President, Traveling Space Museum. Ricardo Mowatt, Coordinator for the A-MAN, Inc. STEM Center, served as the Program Master of Ceremonies.
Justin Walker’s personal tribute: I want to take a moment to honor my grandmother, Dr. Bettye Davis Walker. She is more than accomplished. She is a visionary. Long before STEM became a national priority, she saw the need. In 1986, she started the first STEM program because she believed that African-American boys and girls deserved to see themselves in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. That belief didn’t just stay an idea. She turned it into impact.
Through her work, she reached students not only here in the United States, but across the world, including South Africa, where she was personally invited by President Nelson Mandela. There, she helped bring science education into township & city schools, built computer labs, trained teachers, and opened doors for young people who never imagined those opportunities were possible.
She founded the Cape Town Space Society, a Chapter of the Washington D.C. National Space Society & the First Chapter on the African Continent. She didn’t just teach STEM. She created pathways. Because of her, thousands of students went to college. Because of her, young minds discovered their potential. Because of her, lives were changed, including mine. My grandmother showed us that education is not just about knowledge. It is about access, opportunity, and legacy.
And today, as we continue forward, we carry her vision with us. Making sure that the next generation, especially our young Black boys and girls, know that they belong in every room, every lab, and every future.
Dr. Walker didn’t just start a program. She started a movement. And we are still walking in it today!
For more information, call the STEM Center, 323-643-4013.
