Welcome to my blog :)
For those who may not know me, my name is Irene Duah-Kessie and I like to call myself a community researcher and organizer. My enthusiasm towards STEM continues to grow each day. I have a background in Life Sciences and Sustainability, but my interests are always changing and I’m currently fascinated by the ways in which public health and technology intersects. The past five years have been a transformative journey as I completed my masters degree, started a youth STEM initiative (Rise In STEM) and began to collaborate with my mom on her beauty supplies business (J & I Beauty Supplies).
I have learned so much about myself, the process of business development in nonprofit and for-profit spaces, and the many resources and opportunities available to support emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. I have been fortunate to grow my network and attend many events that have inspired me and have undertaken various research roles that have allowed me to advance in my career and competencies in research.
I started this blog to share my reflections and lessons learned from my personal, professional and entrepreneurial journey. You can expect key takeaways from STEM-related conferences and events, insights from my community work, and breaking down relevant Canadian research to make knowledge more accessible to the broader community.
On a personal note, this blog will also be used as a way for me to break out of my shell and practice my writing. Writing has not always been my favourite sport and something I have been insecure about. I’ve always had this fear of embarrassment in my writing not making sense or being eloquent enough, but the beauty of blogging is that I can express myself in a creative, authentic, and less pressured way.
In the next year, I am excited to grow my community through this blog. I hope my experiences, insights, and reflections are helpful to your journey. I am excited to grow academically as I am always seeking opportunities to learn and document my growth as a community researcher. I am also very excited to see Rise In STEM and J & I Beauty Supplies take new heights and possibly explore new entrepreneurial endeavours.
If you have read this far, I am truly honoured for your interest in my work and hope you stay tuned for what is to come.
