OUR ORIGIN
Just like a mosaic, a patchwork quilt is made up of many individual pieces, each with its own unique color and pattern. When combined, these pieces form a beautiful and cohesive whole. In 2022, three visionary founders—Shawna Young, Dr. Tammy Stevens, and Dr. Paris Andrew—established Mo-saiQ with this very essence in mind. Driven by their lived experiences, professional expertise, and illustrious careers in STEM and entrepreneurship, Shawna, Tammy, and Paris have navigated and overcome the very challenges Mo-saiQ seeks to address.
As graduates of prestigious institutions such as MIT and UNC, with advanced degrees in engineering, education, and business, they intimately understand the barriers and recognize the untapped potential of Black and brown scholars. They know firsthand that brilliance exists in every corner of our communities and are dedicated to ensuring that every Black and brown scholar has the opportunity to shine.
Mo-saiQ was born from their desire to piece together the essential elements—resources, mentorship, and culturally-affirming experiences—that empower young scholars to navigate STEM and entrepreneurship pathways successfully and authentically.
At Mo-saiQ, we believe that by bringing together these individual pieces, we can create a vibrant and inclusive future where every scholar’s unique brilliance is celebrated and cultivated.
Leaving our talent out of the future
There is too much talent of color being left out of opportunities to build and transform future innovations due to systemic gaps and biased standards in our cultural and societal norms. Systemic barriers have resulted in nearly 771,000 academically gifted Black students being “missing” from gifted programs. These programs provide academic capital that positions students for success. However, 3 out of 4 gifted Black students are never identified, depriving them of these opportunities.
Research shows that students who take advanced math courses have higher four-year graduation rates, GPAs, and postsecondary persistence rates. They also have higher attendance rates at selective institutions. Despite this, only 10% of high-achieving Black and 15% of Latino students take AP/IB calculus by the end of high school, compared to 46% of high-achieving Asian students. These disparities lead to lower academic confidence and limited access to advanced educational tools and support networks.
Mo-saiQ bridges these gaps by building social capital, providing equitable academic opportunities, and celebrating cultural identities. We empower scholars to navigate and excel in their educational and career paths, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and leadership.

Mission
OUR Values

Equity and Inclusion
Mo-saiQ is committed to creating a fair and just society by ensuring Black and brown scholars have equal access to opportunities in STEM and entrepreneurship. This value is reflected in their efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and provide culturally-affirming resources.

Empowerment
The organization focuses on empowering young scholars by building their social capital, providing personalized experiences, and fostering a supportive network. This empowerment extends to academic, social, and professional realms, enabling students to navigate and thrive in their chosen pathways.

Innovation and Excellence
Mo-saiQ believes in the potential of diverse perspectives to drive innovation and excellence. By supporting Black and brown scholars, the organization aims to unlock untapped talent and creativity, contributing to economic growth and societal advancement.

Cultural Affirmation
Recognizing and valuing the diverse cultural backgrounds of their scholars is a core value. Mo-saiQ promotes asset-based approaches to education and professional development, affirming the identities and experiences of Black and brown students.

Social Justice
Addressing systemic racism and bias is a fundamental aspect of Mo-saiQ’s mission. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to succeed, making social justice a key value in their work.