Emerging from a modest Cameroonian community where educational opportunities for young women were scarce, I confronted intertwined challenges of limited resources, patriarchal traditions and institutions, and societal expectations that often led to early school withdrawals. Undeterred, I pursued knowledge with unwavering determination, earning placements at esteemed institutions both in my homeland and abroad.

Transitioning into higher education was both exhilarating and daunting. I encountered predominantly male, tribalized, and racialized academic environments that prompted deep reflections on Black women’s contributions to innovation and visionary scholarly research.   

Some challenges tested my sense of belonging and community-building efforts. Sometimes, the scarcity of faculty and peers, particularly female faculty who shared my background and looked like me, intensified these feelings, making it difficult to establish sustainable support networks.

Navigating this complex landscape demands resilience, diplomacy, adaptability, and affirmation, alongside professionalism and an unwavering work ethic. Nevertheless,  I proactively seek out and cultivate transnational communities and support systems that offer understanding, encouragement, recognition, and collaborations, gradually fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. 

This ongoing journey, marked by both crowns of achievements and thorns of adversities, has profoundly shaped my identity and academic trajectory, bridging the existential gaps between the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. It reinforces my commitment to promoting trans- and interdisciplinary research activities that effectively uphold inclusion, diversity, freedom of speech, and collaborations beyond academic borders and limitations.