Women of color throughout history that have played pivotal roles in tech typically aren’t given the proper recognition they deserve. In addition, coloring books aren’t always geared toward people who look like Asemota. So, the artist decided to take matters into her own hands.

Now, what started as a passion project on her iPad has turned into another example of why representation matters.

The coloring book is filled with illustrations where young women can see themselves in the role models that are featured. The coloring book includes scientific trailblazers like Katherine Johnson, Timnit Gebru, and Joy Buolamwini. While it serves as an ode to aspiring young women in STEM, it also honors both prominent figures and unsung heroes.

“I wanted to make sure that I included names that are familiar and also those unsung heroes so that nobody gets lost in the mix,” she said. “I wanted to have a range. For example, for me, I’m doing software engineering, but I’m also majoring in biology. So, I wanted to have people who look like me from NASA mathematicians to astrophysicists — just a huge range of people.”

Although the coloring book highlights women who are powerhouses in STEM, young girls also get to learn about hair diversity through Asemota’s illustrations. Hairstyles ranging from afros to braids, as well as headscarves, are depicted across the pages.

Coloring Book

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