"We talk about purpose a lot, whether it be in the church or in academic institutions ... I had to step back and just …"

"People at the N.I.H. would have overlooked Black women if I failed. Being the first in so many kinds of these spaces …"

"I felt like there was no room for mistakes, which was difficult because science – mistakes are actually part of the b…"

"If you can unwind and be true to who you are, it helps to reckon with things. My team is responding to the world’s mo…"

"I felt like it was necessary to be seen and to not be a hidden figure so to speak."