APB Speakers Honored as AFROTECH Future 50 Changemakers
17 Jun 2024
APB is proud to announce that two of our speakers were just honored for their work to help save the planet and to make science cool. Climate Activist Wawa Gatheru and Stem Advocate Justin Shaifer were named as AFROTECH Future 50 Changemakers. Each year, AFROTECH Future 50 honors dynamic investors, future makers, corporate catalysts, changemakers and visionary founders who are actively shaping the future. AFROTECH is a top tech, investing and wealth-building platform for the Black community.
Gatheru is the founder and executive director of Black Girl Environmentalist (BGE)—the only national organization dedicated to addressing the pipeline and pathway issues for Black girls, women and gender-expansive individuals in the climate sector. With 1,500 members and a digital community of over 60,000, BGE is one of the largest Black youth-led organizations in the country, according to Forbes.
Passionate about bringing climate conversations into untraditional spaces, Wawa works collaboratively alongside other creatives, musicians and culture shapers to bring climate justice to the mainstream. In January 2023, Billie Eilish personally invited Wawa to join her on the first-ever digital cover of Vogue, alongside seven other climate activists.
Shaifer is an award-winning science communicator, TV host, producer and STEMbassador on a mission to make science hip. As the Founder of Fascinate Media, Justin is turbocharging STEM education through immersive content using cutting-edge technologies like 3D effects, virtual production and Generative AI at his LA-based studio space, Fascinate House. His content has reached millions via hosted and produced shows with major networks such as PBS Digital Studios, ABC News and Hulu, while creating edu-taining branded content for companies such as LinkedIn, Chevy, Nvidia and Intuit.
Shaifer's work has reached millions of students, educators and corporate stakeholders and has been featured in Forbes, NBC News, Yahoo Finance, AFROTECH and more. He has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Technology, cementing his status as a leader who is reshaping the landscape of science and technology education with his innovative approach.