In summer of 2016 I wrote an article talking about Diversity in Machine learning and the real effects that a lack of diversity can have on product experience. Later that year I received a request from Capital one to appear at their Humanity.ai confernece in San Francisco and deliver a keynote address based on the article. Within that room was the conference organizer for the 2017 National Non-Profit Technology Conference which is was also invited to and delivered my first speech in Washington DC to 2000+ people. I also updated the article in 2017 titled, Recognizing Cultural Bias in AI.

With my colleague Alivia, we launched a podcast that has featured 3 conversations around education and technology. With Alivia working as a Data Scientist and myself as a Robotics engineer, our conversations lend towards advanced technology with a societal lens.

In our episodes we aim to have a conversation with a guest. So far we have hosted an AI expert and a behavioral health professional.

Photo to the left features myself and other interns with Google X CEO Astro Teller.

During my 8 month internship in Mountain View, Ca, I invented various mechanical apparatus including sensor mounts, stands and fixtures both integrated and external to robot operations.

The end result was full completion of my project which I had, designed, fabricated and managed external business relationships for the outsourced manufacturing. I also kitted and gave demos to engineers on how to install the fixture.

Robotics and Program Management Learning Outcomes:

Also maintained quality control and sensor calibration using web-based IDEs and Linux.

Designed, built and fabricated prototypes in several materials including wood, metal and plastic.

Designed precision mounting in order to provide repeatable and reliable alignment, stable mounting surface and 15 degree pitch.

Debugged and flashed brushless motor drivers and computers.

Ordering, verifying and communicating with outside vendors.

Process analysis for the product functionality.

Presentations and team and manager meetings.

Photo in top-left is with HP CTO Shane Wall

This was a 2 year long internship as a Mechanical Engineering Intern. My projects were robotics and Machine Learning. I worked in the CTO office in Palo Alto, Ca.

I learned how to use the Robot Operating System (ROS) to simplify the process of making a smart robot. This system works with Linux, C++ and Python to make writing algorithms for robots easier. My goal was to work with robotic arms and navigation systems to allow a robot to navigate across an office floor freely.

Robotics Learning Outcomes:

- Designed a five fingered robotic hand including mechanics, servos, wire paths and joints

- All designs were completed in SolidWorks and converted to STL for 3D printing

- Learned how to design for 3D printing

- Learned how to work 3D printing software

- Completed Machine Shop Training

- Introduced and integrated novel technology such as the Intel RealSense Camera which controls the robotic hand

- Collaborated with engineers on various aspects of the project to meet goals needed by the robotics group

- Showcased the robotic hand at the 2015 Intern Fair and in Palo Alto for the CTO office

- Traveled with robot ‘SID’ to New Mexico sales event

- Using Python, HTML and CSS, I designed User Interfaces for implementation with the robots

- Participated in the HP Makers Robotics Lab video that was released online

- Was featured in the Innovation Journal Vol. 2 that was also released online

- Interviewed at HP for the ‘ISAS: Where are they now’ video

In this academic research paper that was reviewed by Dr. Anal Frenz, I talk about the history of education as it was introduced to Native Americans and African Americans that were recently enslaved. I paint a picture of where they started and how it has not really shown as much of benefit within their populations as of yet.

Introduction

The oppression felt by American Indians and African Americans have shaped how students of this descent perform in education at both a primary level and secondary level. Both African American and Native Americans have seen a lot of brutality over the years. And it is this intimidation that follows students still into their education process. American Indians have survived genocide and African Americans the harsh realities of slavery. Genocide eroded American Indian identity and reduced their numbers from 8,000,000 to 10,000. The dominant White culture engulfed the American Indians and forced them into assimilation. Slavery took away the ability of Blacks to make decisions about daily life and career choices, it also left a distrust in the educational system. The African Americans have since struggled to identify themselves as smart and independent as evidenced by the jobs they take and the careers they seek.

According to poll by Aud et al. (2011) the high school dropout rate for Native Americans was 13.2% and the dropout rate for Black students was 9.3%. Native Americans also have the lowest college completion rate at 4 year institutions. It was at 38.3% for all Native American tribes. What some African Americans and Native Americans face is the inability to have pride in their race and identify as strong leaders in academics and society. We need to encourage on the individual level race self-acceptance and the acceptance of other races. Educators and school policy makers should be aware of the difficulties minorities have adjusting to life at college but some educators do not know or have fallen into the trap of racism and discrimination themselves or the act of trying to assimilate minority cultures into the dominate White culture. For the next half of this paper I will try to outline some history on why this is so.