Thread by @kss_phd, Grab some a mimosa coffee? IdkHere’s a on my [...]

Grab some

a mimosa

coffee? Idk

Here’s a

on my #BlackJourneyToNeuro aka how little bby Kaela turned into Dr. Singleton aka bey of neuro @BlackInNeuro

It was 2005: @falloutboy FUTCT was out, I was THRIVING in emo pop-punk MySpace heaven

then.. the stars aligned & my #BlackJourneyToNeuro began. I dissected a sheep brain in science class & loved it & at 13 I told everyone I was going to study the brain when I grew up & they said

*Of note: I always did v well in school, but even in HS - I didn’t particularly *like* science - I just knew that sheep brain dissection was SOCOOL & I had to go to college

#BlackJourneyToNeuro HS kaela still looking for her eyebrows smh

To further my #BlackJourneyToNeuro

I only applied to colleges that had neuro programs. In 2010 that was actually l rare! There were some bio-psych but not neuroscience & I was being picky but - then I found @agnesscott!

I double majored in classical history & neuroscience, in 2012 I earned @NINDSDiversity #ENDURE fellowship

& again #BlackJourneyToNeuro kicked off! I did undergrad research in

&

@EmoryUniversity

@GeorgiaStateU

@VanderbiltU

@agnesscott

I authored 4 papers as an undergrad & was psyched to see where my #BlackJourneyToNeuro would go bc college was ending. My mentors said

GRADSCHOOL & in all honestly, all I’d ever done was science & I was good at school/wanted to teach so I said

I applied to 7 programs, got interviews at 6 and accepted to 5

and I am still just as shocked as anyone (still) reading this thread lol

I chose @Georgetown bc of the people & career dev opportunities! I loved it and did okay for a bit but my
#BlackJourneyToNeuro to a turn

I applied to 7 programs, got interviews at 6 and accepted to 5 and I am still just as shocked as anyone (still) reading this thread lolI chose @Georgetown bc of the people & career dev opportunities! I loved it and did okay for a bit but my #BlackJourneyToNeuro to a turn

My #BlackJourneyToNeuro had gaslighting, toxic mentorship, bold AF racism, gatekeeping, told I wasn’t good enough/only got here bc I’m Black - the works.

I almost quit a 678 times - had peak imposter syndrome was shrinking myself to make others comfortable was ready to give

But THEN I remembered why I love what I do when I wrote the @NINDSDiversity #DSPAN grant. I refound my purpose in neuro - mentoring, teaching, training, uplifting #BlackInNeuro folks & POC.

Embracing MY idea of dev neuro & I started

I stayed (& not to flex) - I EXCELLED: I earned 3 fellowships including @NINDSDiversity #DSPAN, many pubs, invited talks, awards #BlackJourneyToNeuro status at this point

I defended in May2020 & STILL remember all the ups&downs of my #BlackJourneyToNeuro

The necessary growth, unnecessary struggle, the feeling of complete failure.

I reflect on it often & whenever I win awards, give talks those toxic comments ring in my head BUT

I found a community in my #BlackJourneyToNeuro through #DSPAN @georgetownWISE & @BlackInNeuro

And tbh my journey feels like it’s just starting. I love being a PD in the @FaundezLab, working with profs at @agnesscott, meeting @FIRST_IRACDA fellows & being back in ATL

But know this - your #BlackJourneyToNeuro doesn’t have to be pretty - it can be what it is - hard, challenging a true

But remember who YOU are in your #BlackJourneytoNeuro

I am a PROUD Black Queer woman in neuro with a PhD, two fellowships & an adjunct position. I am an emo/pop-punk afciando, a Black female rapper enthusiast and UGA football fan - a writer, amateur chef, & pop culture junky

and tbh #BlackJourneyToNeuro & perspective on science (&life!) would be nothing without my lived/learned experience as a Black Queer woman in academia.

I am my ancestors WILDEST dreams and so are you.

If you ever need help in your #BlackJourneyToNeuro my DMs are open (& empty lol). I’ve got your back & I promise I’ll knock down whatever barriers are in your way - always remember

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