According to Black Enterprise, Aisha Bowe, the first Black woman to travel with Jeff Bezos on a commercial flight to space with Blue Origin, is also a former rocket scientist and a successful entrepreneur. Having founded and successfully grown three multimillion-dollar businesses, Bowe has now achieved another significant milestone: She recently secured a billion-dollar government contract, solidifying her status as a mogul in the making.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) announced it had awarded a $947 million contract to Exacta Solutions, a joint venture with STEMBoards, of which Bowe is founder and CEO. STEMBoards is a tech company that creates smart systems and solutions for large-scale U.S federal, and private sector clients.
The grant is designed to provide support to NGA’s total lifecycle acquisition management, strategic financial management, and strategic business management activities to Exacta Solutions.
This represents a groundbreaking accomplishment, resonating across industries and exemplifying the immense potential within minority-owned businesses.
It also marks a personal milestone for Bowe as she continues on her journey, one that was nearly diverted while she was a teenager. Bowe has inspired many with her story and was even the subject of the documentary In Her Element. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV, the film was released by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine production company and hosted by Meena Harris.
Bowe also is known for her philanthropic efforts, especially as they relate to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.
“In high school, I encountered a counselor who suggested I pursue cosmetology. But deep down, I knew I wanted something more for myself,” said Bowe. “It was during my time at Washtenaw Community College where I discovered my passion for math and science. Determined to chase my dreams, I transferred to the University of Michigan, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in space systems engineering. These achievements opened the doors to an incredible chapter in my life as I embarked on a career as a rocket scientist at NASA. I realized that the only limitations you have in life are those you place on yourself.”
