Aisha Bowe wins billion dollar government contract
Aisha Bowe’s entrepreneurial journey has skyrocketed, reaching new heights shortly after it was announced that she would be the first Black woman to embark on a commercial spaceflight with Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos.
As a former rocket scientist and the founder of three multimillion-dollar companies, Bowe has recently secured a billion-dollar government contract, solidifying her success even further. According to Black News, Exacta Solutions, her company, has been awarded a significant $947 million contract by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to provide comprehensive support for the agency’s acquisition management, financial management, and business management activities.
While preparations were underway in 2022 for Bowe to make history alongside Bezos as the sixth Black woman to cross the renowned Karman line into space, her remarkable flight follows in the footsteps of trailblazers like Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to venture into space in 1992. Other accomplished Black women who have soared into space include Joan Higginbotham, Jessica Watkins, Stephanie Wilson, and Dr. Sian Proctor from SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission.
Bowe’s path to success was not without obstacles. In high school, a counselor advised her to pursue cosmetology, but she knew she aspired to achieve more. Instead, she opted to study mathematics at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor before transferring to the University of Michigan, where she obtained both an undergraduate and master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Her journey then led her to work as a rocket scientist for NASA and become a global speaker for the State Department, inspiring countless young individuals around the world.
Recognized as a serial entrepreneur, Bowe earned a place on Inc.’s prestigious Female Founders 100 list, which celebrates the accomplishments of 100 women whose innovations are making a positive impact on society. Her tech company, STEMBoard, received accolades as it landed a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies.
Bowe’s achievements extend beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She is part of a select group of Black women who have successfully raised over a million dollars in funding. Through her venture capital-backed company LINGO, which boasts a 57% female workforce, Bowe is revolutionizing education by teaching students coding skills from the comfort of their homes. LINGO’s offerings can be found on popular platforms such as Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Recognizing her outstanding contributions, Bowe was honored as one of the inaugural Black Business Leaders Awards recipients by Virginia Business Magazine earlier this year.
Aisha Bowe’s journey serves as a shining example of perseverance, ambition, and the limitless possibilities that await those who strive to defy expectations. Her groundbreaking achievements in entrepreneurship, space exploration, and education exemplify the power of determination and innovation. By breaking barriers and inspiring future generations, Bowe continues to redefine what is possible and serves as a true role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and trailblazers around the world.
