COMMUNITY
Seeing Black women fighting for other Black women encourages Davis. “They’ve made a way for us.” She says she thinks of her Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated sorority sisters who are in all areas of STEM. “Some are engineers, and some are doctors and lawyers and teachers. They really inspire me to know that whatever you want to do is an option for you. You don’t have to be limited. I’m also inspired daily by my parents who are always very encouraging in everything that I do and ensure me that - ‘God will guide you!’” At Flavorman, Davis has learned that her day-to-day, just showing up and doing her best, “All those things don’t go unnoticed. I want to tell people who feel like they’re not seen or not appreciated, ‘Somebody sees you. Somebody notices you. You’re made to do whatever it is you want to do.’” Dorian “Dori” Joseph is an Assistant Beverage Architect who assists the Senior Beverage Architect, provides new samples to clients, and works with retainer clients on new ideas, tastings, and feedback. Her story in STEM is different in that she struggled with math and science in school. Joseph initially came to Flavorman’s bottling line through temp
service placement. She became fascinated with the process, and her bottling supervisor Walter was very open. “I didn’t feel like any question was a stupid question to him. I could just ask him anything.” Without a science and math background, the industry can be intimidating for Joseph at times. “But being here at Flavorman, I can say that no one makes you feel as though they’re better than you because they have a certain type of degree.” The experience has been eye-opening and interesting. “It gives me the confidence to go back to school and get a food science degree.” Joseph was raised by a single mother who inspired her never to give up, no matter the circumstances. Working at Flavorman, she feels well-represented, and it has given her the confidence as a Black woman to wear her natural hair. A Halloween party at Flavorman where Joseph dressed in 70s attire gave her the chance to wear an afro. “I was hesitant because I didn’t know how people would respond to it. Everyone here embraced my hair. All day everyone told me how beautiful my hair is.” The owner of the company pulled her aside just to compliment her. “They see me. They see
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