Ashley Walker is an astrochemist, planetary scientist, science communicator, and advocate committed to advancing equity in STEM. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Chicago State University and has held research internships at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Her research focuses on the aerosol microphysics and atmospheric escape of planetary bodies within our solar system. Ashley was a doctoral student in the Graduate Program in Atmospheric Sciences (HUPAS) at Howard University. She is a planetary science doctoral student at Hampton University in the Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. She is a 2023 recipient of the prestigious NASA Future Investigators in Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) grant, supporting her research on the upper atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune. 

Beyond her scientific work, Ashley is a passionate advocate for students in the sciences. She is the founder and president of Black In Astro. She also serves on multiple committees within astronomy, helping shape inclusive policies and community engagement across the field

Caprice Phillips is a NASA Sagan Fellow at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she works alongside a diverse team of outstanding scientists. Previously, she was advised by researchers Ji Wang, Jackie Faherty, and Megan Bedell. She has served as a Pre-Doctoral Fellow (Temporary Research Analyst) at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics and is a former fellow of the LSSTC Data Science Fellowship Program.

She earned her Ph.D. in Astronomy from The Ohio State University (OSU) in June 2025, where she was a P.E.O. Scholar and an AAUW Fellow. She also completed a Graduate Certificate in College and University Teaching. Caprice holds an M.S. in Astronomy from OSU (2022), an M.A. in Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin (2019), and a B.S. in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (2015). In her free time she enjoys reading, crafting (coloring, watercoloring, painting flower pots), cooking, and trying her hand at new recipes.

KeShawn Ivory, Black In Astro's Events Director, is a rising 4th year PhD candidate in astrophysics at Vanderbilt University. He works on identifying galaxy groups in dark matter haloes via simulations of large scale structure. His passion lies in astronomy education and planetariums. In his free time, he loves to sing, cook, and write whiny narrative essays.

Cheyenne Polius is a St Lucian astrophysicist, science communicator and Social Media Director at Black In Astro. Her work in the UK and the Caribbean focuses on making complex scientific ideas accessible through engaging storytelling across digital media, public speaking and educational content.

Alongside her work in science communication, Cheyenne is the Founder and Executive Director of LUNAA Journeys, an initiative pioneering astro-tourism and space education in the Caribbean. Through LUNAA Journeys, she develops immersive astronomy experiences, promotes STEM engagement and advocates for the role of space science in sustainable development across the region.

Cheyenne has delivered talks internationally including conferences like the International Astronomical Union General Assembly speaking on topics ranging from astrophysics to diversity and inclusion and sustainable development. 

Rob Washington is a recent graduate from Purdue as a Planetary Science major. Currently I work as a research assistant at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center studying exoplanet atmospheres. I’ll be attending Howard University to pursue my PhD. in planetary sciences. My goal is to create a larger platform for Blacks and minorities in STEM to help boost not only their network but confidence.

Naia Butler-Craig, a native of Orlando, is working toward her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and is a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research fellow and GEM fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research involves characterizing the electron energy distribution function at the inner front pole cover of a magnetically shielded Hall-Effect Thruster with a centrally mounted cathode using Laser Thomson Scattering. In between her pressing academic schedule, Butler-Craig also works to advocate for diversity in STEAM disciplines. She engages in public speaking events, volunteers with STEAM organizations, and virtually mentors students. Butler-Craig has also built a large following online through her social media profiles and website. These outlets bring her advocacy work to life by offering a window into the life of a doctoral student in a laboratory, testimony and Q&A videos from her living room, and quick demonstration videos on a variety of aerospace engineering topics.

Naia Butler-Craig is also the recipient of the 2020 Modern-Day Technology Leader Award and 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 award for her outstanding performance and diversity advocacy in STE(A)M.

AJ Link (he/him) is openly autistic. He received his JD from The George Washington University Law School and his LL.M in Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is the inaugural director of The Center for Air and Space Law Task Force on Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Aerospace and an adjunct professor of space law at Howard University School of Law. AJ is the Communications Director for Mission: AstroAccess and works as a research director for the Jus Ad Astra project. He serves as the Space Law and Policy Chair for Black in Astro and was the founding president of the National Disabled Law Students Association. AJ is a policy analyst for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He has been actively involved with disability advocacy in the Washington, DC area and nationally within the United States. He serves on several advisory boards and steering committees that focus on disability advocacy and broader social justice movements.