Inspiring Youth

Jasmine Uboma is a visionary educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for equity in education who has revolutionized math instruction and inspired countless young minds to pursue STEM careers. At just 17, she self-published the BeyondMath Analytical Workbooks, now available on Amazon, which use puzzle-based activities to develop critical thinking skills in students from Grades 4–8.

As the founder of BeyondMath Educational Services Foundation, Jasmine empowers underrepresented youth through mentorship, AI training, and STEM-focused events, closing the diversity gap in science and technology fields. Recognized by CBC and honored with awards such as Black Champion and Youth Change Leader, Jasmine’s innovative work has earned her an Ontario Scroll and commendation from MPP Zee Hamid for her transformative impact.

Her entrepreneurial spirit, advocacy for diversity, and dedication to empowering marginalized communities make Jasmine Uboma a role model and a beacon of hope for aspiring changemakers.

In this exclusive interview with Esther Ijewere, she shares her story.

Inspiration Behind Creating BeyondMath

During COVID, my mom encouraged my brother and me to do something meaningful instead of spending all our time on TikTok. She tasked us with finding something we cared about. Math has always been a passion for me, so I wanted to give back in that space.

Reshaping Math and STEM Learning

The books and the workshops we run as an organization are geared towards presenting math differently to students. As the world evolves, so do some of our teaching practices. Ultimately, our goal is to breathe life into STEM, especially where kids might think it’s boring or too difficult for them.

Needed Changes in Education for Equity

We need to see more after-school programs presenting math in a fun, unique, game-like way. Each generation has different learning needs, and making math more accessible will build resilience in kids to continue in STEM. Black kids have often been channeled into athletics, and I want to advocate that they can excel in STEM too.

Overcoming Challenges in Self-Publishing

One of the challenges was getting that first investment. Self-publishing and printing is a tall order, but we had a Kickstarter to raise some funds. I was also blessed to have a mother who saw the vision and contributed financially.

Role of Mentorship in STEM Empowerment

It’s important for students to see representation of themselves at higher levels because it tells them that they can achieve the same. I count myself privileged to have a mother in STEM, which has inspired me greatly.

Most Rewarding BeyondMath Initiatives

Our yearly math competition is always exciting! It shines a spotlight on kids who want to be challenged. I also really enjoy our end-of-year events, where we recognize students’ efforts and just have a great time together.

Advice for Aspiring STEM Entrepreneurs

Reach out to a teacher or guidance counselor who may know about STEM pathways and the steps to get there. My email is always open for questions from kids or parents: beyondmatheducation@gmail.com.

Leadership and Advocacy as a Young Black Woman in STEM

How has your experience as a young Black woman in STEM shaped your approach to leadership and advocacy?

I see the disparity in higher-level STEM, especially in math. There are very few women, let alone Black women, in my classes. I’m often the only Black student. This drives me to push more Black students into STEM.

Memorable Moments and Recognition

The provincial scroll and the CBC article are tied as my most memorable moments. Seeing the article reposted on my school website, hearing friends play it on the radio, and getting a letter from my university president were surreal. Receiving recognition from the provincial government through my MPP was also amazing.

Lasting Impact of BeyondMath

I want to see more Black students entering STEM-related fields. We are incredibly smart, and our fresh perspectives are needed in STEM. I also hope for an attitude shift in students when it comes to math—it’s challenging but extremely rewarding.

Being a Woman of Rubies

I have grown as a leader and shown younger kids that there’s a way through challenges. My journey emphasizes that they don’t have to do it alone, which makes me a Woman of Rubies.

Inspirational Women

First, my mother, Dr. Nnenna Uboma, who paved a huge path for me. Second, Beyoncé, for always striving to be the best version of herself. Finally, Olamide Olowe, the founder of Topicals, built an empire catering to POC—it’s so inspiring!

Learn more about Jasmine’s work here; Beyond Math

This feature story was written by Ude, Ugo Anna – Creative Director of Book O’Clock & Team Lead of The Book Drive Bayelsa. She is also one of the Future-Forward Female™ 25 Under 25 Awardees in the Impact Maker Category.

I would write that rarely would one find sisterhood forged as finely and as quickly as that formed between the Future-Forward Female™ 25 Under 25 Awardees. But then, I would risk oversimplifying hundreds of years of women uplifting one another and trudging hand-in-hand through the difficult realities of their time.

Yet, if anyone keenly observed the Future-Forward Female™ 25 Under 25 Awardees floating into the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre in our dazzling dresses, complimenting and cheering one another as we all walked to the Awards Gala stage to receive our awards, they would affirm a number of things. Some of these would include the fact that there was a uniqueness, a cheerful mood, and without a doubt, a divine orchestration to our being celebrated together. They would perhaps also see in their mind’s eye the formidable change our sisterhood, leadership, and transformative projects would bring to Africa’s most needy sectors for centuries to come.

There was something very distinct about the evening of the Future-Forward Female™ 25 Under 25 Awards Gala. Beyond the elegant dresses and numerous smiles, it was clear that there was something significant about a gathering of leaders both young and old who at their core believed in transforming Africa for good.

Going back to the very first moment

It is August 22nd, 2023. I’m heading to a café somewhere in the heart of Yenagoa when a new reminder on my phone makes me scroll through my notifications bar. I almost squealed in the tricycle when I read the email notification which said, “Ude, Congratulations! You Made It!”

I opened the email and I couldn’t believe the words I was seeing. “Congratulations! We are thrilled to inform you that you have emerged as one of the winners of the highly esteemed Future-Forward Female 25 under 25 Awards.” My heart is beating fast at this point, but I kept on reading. “This momentous achievement is a testament to your exceptional talent, unwavering leadership, and undeniable influence as a voice in our generation.” The words wash over me and pull tears to my eyes. Could this really be happening?

From that moment until I finally find a place to sit in the café, my mind is racing with so many thoughts. I couldn’t help but remember the urgency that accompanied my starting a Book Drive Campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide books to the children in my neighbourhood who needed textbooks to study at home. I mull over the trajectory of my education advocacy journey and my early resolve to remain in service of God, people, and my community. There are no words to capture how much my dreams of building libraries all over Nigeria are affirmed by those words I had just read in that email. At that very moment, I was in awe, maybe a little overwhelmed. But I honestly had no words. Thankfully, I would find the words later. I’ll hear them from Rhoda Aguonigho and she will help me articulate the words I need to express.

Rhoda Aguonigho is a fashion consultant and a fellow Future-Forward Female™ Awardee in the Culture Ambassador Category. Here’s how she described the impact of Future-Forward Female™ 25 Under 25 Awards. She said, “It felt like the icing beautifying a cake. It is definitely a much-needed validation that our service and purpose is deserving of recognition and a reward.”

Considering that out of the 500+ nominees and over 2000 nominations seen by the FFF Jury, 25 of us were selected reinforces how meaningful and special a recognition of this nature means to each of us. All 25 finalists modelled the strongest values of the Future-Forward Female™ Movement which are personal transformation, visionary leadership, ethical excellence, and outstanding impact. I’m sure you can now understand why Rhoda’s feelings resonated so strongly with all the awardees.

Yet, it is not so much the recognition as it is the responsibility that comes with being spotlighted as a Future-Forward Female™. The award, I sense, is accompanied by a duty and a responsibility. A responsibility that includes but is not limited to:

(1) Remaining on the path purpose (2) Being courageous and radical in the face of Africa’s biggest challenges, and (3) Recognising that our visions will fuel many other young women with the audacity to take their dreams head-on.

Similoluwa Sowunmi puts it perfectly when she describes 25 of us as having been “…Enlisted into an army of women that God is spotlighting in this decade.” The weight of our leadership mandate is clearly indisputable.

A night we won’t forget

The day finally came. This was the evening all 25 ladies had been waiting for – The Future-Forward Female™ 25 Under 25 Awards Gala. A night to celebrate our outstanding impact. But at the Awards Gala, we are all scribes.

Amidst the alluring purple and gold decor, the clinking of spoons on plates, the mumbled compliments, and the tap-tap sounds of the shoes of some women catwalking to their seats, all of us (the 25 Awardees) scribble in our journals or type in our digital notepads the words of enthronement and affirmation spoken over us by the women of then and now (as I call them.) The Visionary Debola-Deji Kurunmi, Founder of the Future-Forward Female™ Movement; Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, Nigeria’s foremost fashion entrepreneur with over 35 years in the Fashion and Retail Business and Matriarch of the Evening and Keynote Speaker at the Awards; and Her Majesty, HRH Olori Atuwase III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom and Distinguished speaker at the Awards Gala send us forth into the next decade and century with charge and encouragement to remain phenomenal.

Mrs Adenike Ogunlesi’s words will certainly ring in our consciousness. “You must first be a leader of yourself to lead others. Lead yourself well,” she said.

Now, We Begin a Journey

This is where we go from here.

We have chosen to be student-teachers who learn and lead. We know that the spotlight on us as leaders is a clear invitation to keep learning. We anticipate keenly the mentorship and internships that come with being a part of this phenomenal community. We are also bracing up for the personal transformation required for this new journey. As we fully recognize the weight of the expectations that come with being spotlighted as young African women leading a decade of change. We are already forming strong bonds of sisterhood, friendships and partnerships.

So where do we go from here? This next chapter beckons us (the Future-Forward Female™ 25 Under 25 Awardees) to keep pressing forward. There is no relenting now because we will continue to break barriers, lead boldly, create change, redefine narratives and transform society for good.

We choose to lead ourselves through discipline, self-care, and forgiveness. We commit to constantly showing up for and investing in our dreams, and we refuse to cower in the face of self-doubt or the fear of our inadequacies.

We commit to leaving our minds open for possibilities. We will reimagine the Africa and Nigeria of our dreams for as long as it takes for it to materialise. We will uplift the young female leaders coming behind by amplifying their service.

There are only open doors from here, and we are thankful.

The smiles on our faces at the Future-Forward Female™ Awards Gala will not only remain in our pictures and highlight reels. They are reenacted on the days when we read the Future-Forward Female™ Folio or happen to glance at the gorgeous plaques handed to us at the Gala. And so, for granting us this honour and being the catalysts of an upward drive for our leadership journeys, we are thankful to the Visionary and Founder of the Future-Forward Female™ Movement, Debola Deji-Kurunmi and the entire Future-Forward Female™ Movement team.

Here’s an ocean’s worth of gratitude.

For more information on the Future-Forward Female™ Movement, visit our website – https://www.futureforwardfemale.com/
Kindly follow the Future-Forward Female™ Movement on social media here – @futureforwardfemale_ for more updates.