Janeya Griffin, a former NASA Technology Transfer Specialist, is leading a campaign to get Blacks to bring their expertise and genius to the fast-growing space economy.
The space economy is growing at an exponential rate and is projected to reach over $1 trillion by the year 2040. The demand for space innovation is high and the opportunities are great. Griffin doesn’t want Blacks to miss out.
“Every time I have conversations with someone who looks like me I’m saddened that they don’t believe they belong in space,” she posted on her concern on LinkedIn one time, adding many Black folks think “it’s not for us”.
To change that, Janeya Griffin is actively working to promote the idea that African Americans and people of color should not only aspire to be part of the space industry but are an essential component of it.
In a recent TED Talk titled “Yes, I Belong In Space”, her message centers around empowerment, equity, and inclusivity, particularly in the emerging space economy.
“As a Black woman with a criminal record, who is not a space scientist, who is not an engineer or astronomer, I had to ask myself ‘do I belong to this place?'” she quizzed at the start of her Talk.
Griffin said growing up, space was not in the cards for her but after she was exposed to the endless possibilities it provides, she had a new awakening. Now, it’s her turn to draw the consciousness of as many Blacks as possible to the potential of the space economy.
Her mission is also to challenge the prevailing narrative that space exploration and the space industry are not accessible or relevant to African Americans. She aims to debunk the misconception that space is “not for us.” Her belief is that everyone, regardless of their background, has the potential to contribute their unique skills and expertise to the space sector.
Through her Talk and her work with the Equity Space Alliance, Griffin is actively involved in creating a sense of belonging for underrepresented communities within the space industry. Her message is one of empowerment and encouragement, urging individuals to recognize their genius and potential impact in the space field.
Furthermore, she encourages others to champion and support individuals within their networks who have talents and skills that could contribute to the space industry.
Griffin says her call to action is clear: it’s time to break down the barriers and ensure that space is inclusive and welcoming to Blacks; creating an equitable future for space exploration and innovation.
Griffin has been described as a “Serial Entrepreneur” by Inc. Magazine partly in celebration of her passion and determination to drive meaningful change and foster diversity in traditionally underrepresented areas.
In December 2021, ShineMyCrown reported that the tech whiz and entrepreneur was making major waves as the CEO of The Commercializer.
In her role, she educates people on how to build wealth through their ideas. She is also the co-founder of Con Creates, “a creative agency powered by those currently and formerly incarcerated, rewriting the narrative on people with a criminal background.”
