Coding for Climate and Community: The Story of Aminata Cisse

Ready to be completely inspired? Pull up a chair, sis - we're sitting down with the absolutely incredible Aminata Cisse in this week's episode of Muslimahs in Motion. As a powerhouse data engineer, Aminata is doing the kind of work that makes us all want to dream bigger and reach higher.

Get ready to hear how our girl went from being "the only one" in her computer science classes to becoming a force for change in the energy sector. Trust me, her story of pushing through those tough early days will have you nodding along and saying "mash'Allah" more times than you can count.

But here's what we love most - Aminata isn't just coding away in her corner. She's using her tech superpowers to lift up communities that have been overlooked for far too long. And yes, she's doing it all while staying beautifully authentic to her faith and values (because who says we can't have it all?).

Whether you're already deep in those tech trenches, dreaming of your first engineering role, or just love seeing our sisters break barriers, this episode is your sign to believe in those big dreams of yours. Come join our heart-to-heart with Aminata as we talk resilience, purpose, and how to stay true to yourself while climbing that career ladder. Seriously, you won't want to miss this one! 💕

Chapters

• 0:00 Muslim Women in Tech and Advocacy
• 12:36 Overcoming Challenges in Pursuing CS
• 16:34 Impactful Tech Initiatives Rooted in Activism
• 21:25 Tech Innovations for Climate Justice
• 26:08 Tech Impact Beyond Big Companies
• 38:08 Tech for Humanity and Collaboration
• 44:00 Tech Innovation Inspired by Faith
• 53:28 Future Connections Through Technology

Transcript

Aminata: 0:00

I was like, oh my God, like it broke me. And I was like you know what I'm done with this. I'm not going to major in CS anymore.

Hawa: 0:14

Salaam everyone, and welcome to Muslimism in Motion Professional Pursuits. I'm Hawa, your host, and here we celebrate the achievements of Muslim women while exploring strategies to balance the life you dream of with the life you're living today. Join me as we dive deep into the inspiring story of Aminata Sissi, a data engineer and environmental justice advocate, leveraging tech to address critical societal issues. From AI driven tools to climate justice initiatives, aminata's work bridges innovation and advocacy, empowering communities and creating real-world solutions. Well, assalamu alaikum, aminata. How are you?

Aminata: 0:52

Wa alaikum assalam, warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, that was such a beautiful intro. Thank you, thank you. Thank you, thank you for that Wow.

Hawa: 1:00

Beautiful intro for a beautiful sister, mashallah. Thank you, yes, but how are you today? I'm good, alhamdulillah. Saturday morning, alhamdulillah, it's a beautiful saturday morning. I don't know about you guys up there in the north, but our snow days is over, so we had like one good snow day last week and it's really all.

Aminata: 1:23

The snow is basically melted, so oh, wow I hope you guys are like yeah, I mean I actually like snow, but we had like a couple snow storms um in the past two weeks, not crazy storms, but like, yeah, it came down, oh wow, it's all gone now like you're not gonna find really much, really. Yeah yeah, it's just been cold like low 30s man, that's not fun, yeah.

Hawa: 1:50

Because for me it's like if it's going to snow or it's going to be cold, you might as well just snow. I'll have a little fun with it.

Aminata: 1:56

you know no, when it doesn't snow, I get scared because global warming, you Because global warming.

Hawa: 2:02

You know, and ties into environmental justice, because that's definitely your cup of tea. But before we dive into that, I always have a couple questions. I ask my guests. So say you're on a deserted island and you can only bring three things with you. What would you bring with you? The Quran, can I bring my phone? I mean, mean, you could bring your phone, but the charger is another thing true, and then service and a dessert.

Aminata: 2:31

Okay, I'll bring my quran, I'll bring water and a prayer mat.

Hawa: 2:37

We're gonna pray our way out absolutely see mashallah, because I haven't heard that one yet. Actually, I've heard blanket, but not for a minute. Blanket in a desert, a desert island Girl, I don't know, maybe it gets kind of cold at night, you get a little breezy True, true, yeah, you find the water, that's right. But good choices, Good choices. I haven't heard one. So first I'd like to open with asking who is Aminatisisi and like what started your journey? What drives your passion for blending technology and bringing that societal impact with that?

Aminata: 3:21

Great question who am I? So I I always find interest in advocacy. Like when I was in high school, I started an advocacy program for young girls that advocated for policies that protected them, essentially Cause I went to a school in the South Bronx a majority students that looked like me and it's not until you step out. So this program that I did was in Brooklyn. You step out and then you learn about all the different ways you're affected by certain things and policies and just the way the world, the world is structured in general. So that gave me like a keen interest in just advocating for people that look like me. So I joined this program. I did it for like two years. It's called Girls for Gender Equity. That sparked my interest in policies.

Aminata: 4:17

After that, that was 10th grade I was like, yeah, I'm gonna be majoring in like political science or something, because I I'm just like I want to be a part of something impactful. So that was me. In general, I would say that's who I was, someone who just wanted to advocate. But then, going into college as a freshman, I kind of shifted gears because I wanted to take that impact to a sector that's really, really important, the most important, and that's health. So I majored in public health, because you can always bring advocacy in public health and I learned about the ways that public health affects us in literally all aspects, us in literally all aspects.

Aminata: 5:04

So, and also like prior to picking a major which was hard for me, cause I'm like not hard, but like I was someone that was always interested in a lot of things, so kind of limiting it, limiting it to one major I was like how am I going to do this? But the advice I got was like, pick something that you can make an impact in. So I majored in public health for freshman year.

Aminata: 5:28

Sophomore year I started exploring computer science and I saw, like everything that I would have been able to do and within public health, like it can be done at a broader scale within computer science, because the world is growing, more technical technology is advancing and I'm just like there's a lot that you can do here, there's a lot of opportunity and not and a lot of impact that can take it take place, absolutely. So that's when I made the switch to computer science, like around sophomore year, I went to a school, a public school, brooklyn College, I don't, yeah, but I'm gonna say that again, no worries. I was like, should I stay at a school? But people are gonna find me.

Hawa: 6:16

so yeah, yeah, don't, don't feel like I mean yeah, you can't say I definitely don't mind sharing.

Aminata: 6:22

Yeah, okay, yeah, I went to Brooklyn College and so in my sophomore year I switched to computer science and that was different. I didn't expect it to hit me the way it did, and I can share my journey on that For sure. It was really like remarkable. So I switched sophomore year. I said that like three times. But, um, the first class I took was intro to Java. And let me preface by saying like or explaining the type of student I was. I was a student that I wasn't studying, studying, studying, you know like, but I was passing and I was, you know, doing good on my classes with not trying my absolute best Right. So I got very accustomed to that because in high school I was like at the top of my, was one of the students that were at the top of the classes and you know, freshman year didn't kick my butt, sophomore year didn't kick my butt. Sophomore year didn't kick my butt. Well, no, this was sophomore year. Actually, freshman year went by idly smooth. So then, when I switched my major to CS, I was still that type of student, not really studying.

Aminata: 7:39

Also, the class, the intro to Java class, just a little bit details on that um, it was remote in the beginning and then switched to in person. When it was remote, I was doing okay, you know, right, I was floating by, but it's when it switched to in person. I got to the class and I'm looking around and I'm like, oh my god, there's only four girls, including including myself, and three of them are friends. How am I going to do this? The rest of them are males, like it's just boys in that class, and a lot of them are in their cliques. You know they already kind of established who they're going to be, you know, interacting with, and I was also very reserved. I've always been reserved. So I went to the back of the classroom. I never turned around to ask a question. I was confused throughout a majority of the class and I stayed confused because I never raised my hand to ask the professor a question. I didn't make myself known to the professor at all. I literally just went to class, that's it.

Aminata: 8:46

I didn't take anything really, and there would be times where I would actually like cry on my way home from Brooklyn to the Bronx that hour ride, hour and a half ride. I would be like I don't know if I'm cut out for this. I went to school in the South Bronx. A lot of these students had some type of exposure to computer science and you know, like they probably know what they're doing. I don't know what I'm doing.

Aminata: 9:11

I was just feeding myself discouraging words, but I also wasn't studying, I also wasn't going to tutoring. I was just like sunk into my discouragement that I was like not trying to really try my best, at least so fast forward. I also like another reason why I didn't go to tutoring was because if they see how behind I am, they're gonna like think I'm stupid. So I was like you know, I'm not gonna go. So I midterm happened, I think I got like a C, uh. And then I'm like, okay, like it's not registering to me that I mean that's uh, you don't know what's going on. So come final time, up until like okay, after finals and grades are released, I see that I have to retake the class and I was like oh my god, like it broke me and I was like you know what I'm done with this. I'm not going to major in CS anymore. But then I prayed Istiqara, and I know my Istiqara got answered when I suddenly felt a sense of like certainty that no, you're not going to stop here. You're going to continue Like you and this time, when you continue, you're going to try your absolute best and like lock in time. When you continue, you're gonna try your absolute best and like lock in.

Aminata: 10:29

So I re-registered for the spring semester and I had a morning class for Java and I tell you, that entire semester I sat in a front. I made sure to get there on time. It was an early class. I was never late and the professor knew me. Like she knew me. I was going to them office hours. I was attending tutoring as well and that's where a lot of my support came from.

Aminata: 10:52

The tutor was a beautiful black woman. Her name is Amara. Like she was amazing and she honestly, like she inspired me because she graduated with CS and now she was working, you know, at Brooklyn College at the Learning Center, tutoring students. So once I like saw that and I saw that possibility, like I can probably do this. Like because at times you need someone in the field to inspire you and make you feel like, okay, I can see myself doing this. This is a known fact, right? So like seeing her interacting with her, the relationship that we were able to build, the belief that she had in me. Like that really was a driver.

Aminata: 11:37

Like that semester fast forward, ended up taking it, passing it, that got A. And it was from there where I was like, okay, I have to keep this up with not caring or not allowing myself to be discouraged about who else is in the classroom, to continue to ask questions and not. There's no such thing as a dumb question. Like, don't care about that, just ask the question. You deserve a chance at a fair education. So I took advantage of that, just ask the question. You deserve a chance at a fair education. So I took advantage of that and I continued to go to tutoring, ended up taking a summer class to catch up and then from there I just went literally through the grace of Allah, through duals and just effort on my end. I was tying my end of the camel. I don't know if you know that expression yeah, yep, yep yeah.

Aminata: 12:26

I just surged through and then everything else was like, yeah, it wasn't hard because of that mentality and through the again, the will of Allah. But yeah, and then, before you know it, like May of 2024 came graduation time and alhamdulillah, like, yeah, alhamdulillah, like I'm so, so grateful. I just remember like and this is why, like I strive to tell people like it's possible, like whenever I loved seeing in our prayer room or around campus, like young girls that are pursuing black girls, young Muslim girls, young black Muslim girls, like pursuing CS, and like while they were in their sophomore year, because it's just, I wanted to tell them like you can do it, because I remember like feeling, like I don't know if I can do this, you know, but yeah, alhamdulillah, I'm so, so grateful, alhamdulillah, I'm so, so grateful.

Hawa: 13:26

Alhamdulillah, I love that. Actually, I love that story because a lot of times, you know, sometimes people's story starts out with like that whole, like well, first, you know, we'll start with. You know the fact that, mashallah, you have so many wonderful interests, you know a lot of people. They're like, they think the journey has to be like oh, I know I'm going to CS and this is what I'm doing and I, from the jump, I was doing really good at it and I got all A's and blah, blah, blah, and I got my degree 4.0, whatever, whatever.

Hawa: 13:58

But the truth is it actually doesn't have to look that way, right. And I like your story because it just shows that you were able to first put your ego to the side and be like, you know what and why, the grace of and the will of Allah, right, you made dua, you made a sakhari turn to Allah first. And the thing is, the truth is right, because my experience was kind of similar, like, granted, I knew I wanted to do CS, but, like you, I grew up, I was going to my classes, didn't have have to really study, but I was still, you know, kicking butt.

Hawa: 14:27

I was just like oh yeah, like you know, I'm you know, like, and then everybody around you is telling you wow, you're so smart, Like, oh, my gosh. And then, like in your head, you're just like wow, like, wow, cool, like I don't got to study.

Hawa: 14:45

Then you go to college and that thing does hit you like a brick and you're like, oh, wait a minute, yeah, I can't just show up 100. Yeah, and it's scary because it's like, like you said, like I was in there, like I wasn't really talking to anybody, a bunch of you know dudes who think they know everything is just sitting around and then when you ask questions, when you do ask questions, they look at you like crazy. So it's like, oh, I don't want to ask no questions, right, and you're just like discourages you exactly, and you're just suffering in silence, silently, oh my god, suffering, and it's like the tears are real, like you just start thinking, like man, like this is not for me, I guess. I guess I'm just not this thing and it's not good. But, alhamdulillah, I'm so glad that you were able to like have that moment, that come to Allah moment, if you will, yeah.

Hawa: 15:33

And just be like you know what I am meant for greater things, and I'm not going to let this thing stop me, because any great person in this life they're going to go through adversity, they're going to go through these kinds of experiences, but it's what you make of it, right? So that's why I really enjoyed listening, cause I was like, yeah, you know, this is important because a lot of people they go through something similar and it's like they think either you're the only one, but the truth is we're really not the only one. But it helps, like you you said, to hear somebody else's perspective, especially hearing from somebody that looks like you, which is so important, which is so amazing that, like you, were able to, like, go into. I feel like everything happens for a reason because, like you, were able to go to the tutoring, see somebody that looked like you, right, right, doing the thing.

Aminata: 16:19

It's like amazing, mashallah well, like it was allah's guidance. It's just everything aligned so well. That's amazing, like yeah, yeah, I love that, thank you, thank you, wow. Let me share that oh, of course.

Hawa: 16:34

So as a malian american and bronx native, you know, because you did say, well, tell me about that. Actually, you know. So you are from the Bronx, correct?

Aminata: 16:46

Yes.

Hawa: 16:46

Yes, born and raised Love that. So how have your roots influenced your approach to the work that you do now? So first, I'd like you to like tell us what you do right now. Now that you've graduated, and you know alhamdulillah, you got a degree and everything. Right now, now that you've graduated and you know alhamdulillah, you got a degree and everything.

Aminata: 17:07

So what are you into now? Yeah, so right now I'm working for a company where I'm doing data engineering and full stack development. Masha, yeah, so that involves it's a small company relatively. That involves it's a small company relatively. Uh, so I'm doing some qa work. We're working on a state project, um that surrounds rate plans, which you probably never heard of.

Aminata: 17:34

Um, it's within the energy sector okay, you feel free to do free, feel free to explain and define these things too, so our audience can also gain context for sure, because I also did not know what um they're basically, how prices, um and services are arranged from utilities to customers yeah, that's really the simplest way to put it. Like your utility bills, how those charges come, come to be, that's um, what rate plans are, that's how they charge you and stuff. So, um, we're basically working on a project to simplify that for customers, for people to go on it and understand like, hey, what am I being charged? Yeah, so it's a again like being part of that. Right, it ties back to my like inner strive to be part of something that's impactful, because it's really really important.

Aminata: 18:33

There's something called an energy burden where a lot of people around me within my neighborhood in the Bronx have high energy burdens. Energy burdens are the percentage of Of the percentage that people pay for their energy. I don't know if you know, con Ed, it's probably different utilities, but when your energy bills are so high that that's where a majority of your income is going to. So a lot of people around me have high energy burdens, which is insane because life is already hard in the South Bronx to tell you that. Right, you know there's a lot of factors that play into. You know the there's a lot of factors that play into, like where the socioeconomic statuses of people are right now. So when you have someone who is not even making a decent amount per year and a majority of their income goes to energy bills.

Aminata: 19:32

It's just like and it's not okay, right, but that's also that kind of plays a role into why I like what I'm doing, and it's just the way Allah made that. I did not even know anything about this after I graduated and landing in it. I'm doing two things at once. I love to code, I love to make and be part of tech initiatives, um, building products that are, like you know, useful and can help people, and then to do that in a realm where there's some activism going on. It's like a mesh that just goes together very well and it's so me.

Hawa: 20:13

alhamdulillah that's yeah, I really actually love hearing that, because it's one thing to do things that you love, but then it's another thing to on a daily basis, but then it's another thing to do something that you love and let it be such, or have it be such an impact on people, such a positive impact too, on people who really need it. Right, I think that's really Mashallah and it just sticks to like. It just makes me think of the istikhara you made and you were like, and the conviction you had and like OK, I'm meant to do this, and now look at what you're doing, you know, alhamdulillah, like that's amazing to me.

Hawa: 20:51

Yeah, I didn't even tie it back to that. Oh, wow, like that's so crazy. Because it's so, because you're probably thinking like, oh, like you know, this is my story, it's whatever. But like this is so impactful, this is huge. Because it's you went from almost not even doing the thing because you felt like, and this all happens to us sometimes we're like, oh, you know who am I to do this? It's not for me, maybe I should just figure something else out. Yeah, but now look at you now, hamdallah mashallah, like I just think that's so amazing. I'm so glad that you're able to, um, really do something that that impacts so many people. So, yeah, you know your workified Ground on. Is it the climate and economic justice screening tool? Yes, it's super groundbreaking. So could you share the story behind this project and the impact that it's creating? Could you dive a little deeper into that?

Aminata: 21:46

Yeah, so actually I'm working. I even found the current company I'm in through Unified Ground. So, and I found Unified Ground, you know a program that I did in CUNY. So, yeah, I worked on the climate and economic justice screening tool, which I worked very closely with Jamil, the founder of Unified Ground, on just enhancing it, like adding features, but it came about, if I remember correctly it. I'm just going to explain a little bit of first emails like a backstory.

Aminata: 22:21

So it was someone who worked within the energy sector and noticed that when it comes to like government funds, um, that are kind of for certain quote-unquote margin, not prioritized, prioritized areas that you know are for these areas right, a lot of the times bigger companies would want to come and kind of claim these funds. Like you have to like manage it equitably within the community. So you would have to work with nonprofits, their community organizations, there, um, and the mapping tool makes it easier for you know, know anyone who wants access to whatever funds or grants, um, from like the state or like a national life, to be able to scope out and find minority women, businesses, community organizations to help better reach or fulfill that required 40%, that was on a national level, justice 40, it was an initiative by Biden, I believe, and you know we know who's president now, so I'm not sure if it's going to get like repealed or like repealed, knocked out yeah, repealed, or. But I think it was an amazing initiative because it kind of just put a lot of things in place and, number one, it put the community first, absolutely.

Aminata: 24:21

It made sure that, like, the community was at the forefront of being able to use funds that are going to benefit them and can have a say in that, and it puts them at the table, absolutely, and I thought that that was so important. So I had an amazing time learning about it and immersing myself within the energy sector overall, because, again, I was so new to it, but then, also, like bringing forth features, that was going to be very helpful, like with within the application itself. So, yeah, it was with Jamil that I landed my current role and I'm just grateful because it's it was so nice. So, yeah, I had a lot of fun doing that.

Hawa: 25:01

I love that so much yeah, and I honestly love hearing you talk about, like this, the environmental sector, because I don't hear a lot about it or and I don't hear enough people talking about it. So to see the intersection of, like, tech and, you know, environmental justice, I think it's super important. Yeah, it's amazing. And to say to address what you were saying earlier, like, yeah, a lot of these you know quote-unquote initiatives or organizations quote unquote they're always acting like oh yeah, we want to help these marginalized people, but the money never actually goes to them. So it feels like this was a very good way to kind of ensure that the work was being done and also the funds, the money was being put where the mouth was as well.

Hawa: 25:46

You know, exactly like a sort of almost accountability right, and you know I pray that it doesn't get repealed. Yeah, you know like a sort of almost accountability Right, and you know I pray that it doesn't get repealed. Yeah, yeah, I know, right now we're in a time of uncertainty with all these types of things, but I pray that, like you know, that thing does not get touched, because it's super important.

Aminata: 26:05

Right, yeah, 100 percent. Yeah, the energy sector it's, there's so many opportunities in it and I just couldn't believe that I didn't know about this whole world and intersection of within technology that existed. I think I was telling all my friends, like who I graduated with. I was like explore the energy sector, explore the environmental side of of tech. It's impactful and you're gonna enjoy it. Like you know, it's crazy, like I, probably you you could relate to this right like, did you also want, like that big company tech?

Hawa: 26:42

oh yeah, after college, everybody I remember when I was like a kid like I was like, because that's when I knew I wanted to be like in some kind of tech thing. I remember in middle school all I was thinking about was like wow, I want to work at Google so bad, like you know. Like wow, like I want to be a Googler, you know be with guests, you know, with my little hat and this thing and you know, have a good time.

Hawa: 27:06

And you know, you know I saying like obviously, like that's cool, I'm obviously like that's cool, but I see your point Like there's just, there's just so much more to this industry that people don't even realize. Like I remember I was listening to this thing. I was, I was in NPR in the mornings like an old woman, but I don't care because it's great. And I grew up listening to it with my dad. So now I've become him and listen to it as myself in the morning. But like I was listening to how they're essentially our government, like the US government, just has such they don't have like the same pull as to getting like young, hot talent, you know, fresh off the presses, fresh out of school, because nobody wants to work for government, because they're like oh, it's old, it's bureaucratic, no money, blah, blah, blah. That's another.

Hawa: 28:03

But I think there was an initiative put forth in the Obama administration when they kind of realized like some of the government websites were like not up to speed at all, they were terrible. Oh my God, they were so terrible and bad. So now they're putting forth initiatives to kind of entice young people to start working for like tech, like engineers, to start working for the government. Because, first of all, people are getting old. Second, of all, things are old, everything's things are old. Everything's not good, sucks, bad, slow, whatever, but can't really fix that. If we don't get new talent, everybody's just retiring, you know what I mean? And the circle's getting smaller and smaller.

Hawa: 28:41

So, yeah, it's interesting because we have so many like of these like flashy jobs, blah, blah, blah. But let's be honest, y'all we've seen the market. It's not a lot of those jobs right now. So some of the jobs, and then some jobs are open. We kind of need people like, whether it's working for universities, for government, for like environment, like these are all things that are super important, but like, people just don't know about them or they don't care because it's like oh, not flashy, they don't have that and, honestly, it's a reflection of the uh industry because, let's be honest, like, for example, somebody could literally go on linkedin and post guys like I just finished my google internship. They will get like 400 likes.

Hawa: 29:25

They don't even have to work there anymore they could just be like yeah, I've seen so many things, we're just like guys. I'm leaving 500 likes and it's because like obviously, and no hate, obviously it's like, especially if I see like somebody that looks like us or somebody who's like, you know, a woman or a minority. It's like, oh cool, like that's awesome, because it's like cool, you were able to like make it up there, you know so no hate obviously just saying that, like you can see the difference between like somebody.

Hawa: 29:52

But obviously if somebody posted some you know random medium sized company, it was like hey guys, just got an internship here.

Hawa: 29:59

Two likes yeah, because nobody cares yeah like so and that's just the nature, like all all this industry is is like oh, what do you work, who do you work for and what's your total comp? I mean, even when you go on, uh, blind, for instance, people say tc or get out total comp, you post your total compensation package like, and even if you post it, let's say it's like 97k versus like I don't know like 300k, people are gonna be like oh bro, you're broke, you're this, you're that, what do you? What kind of you know what I mean? This whole thing is about numbers, like oh, who do you work for? Blah, blah, blah and I don't know. It kind of takes the. It made me a little disillusioned the further I was getting into my degree, because I was like hello, I thought this stuff was about building cool stuff and meeting people who also like to build cool stuff.

Hawa: 30:49

But then it became quickly about like leak code, leak code, work for this company, slave away at this other company. Yeah, you're making like three hundred thousand dollars, but like you're not having you feel like a robot zombie.

Hawa: 31:02

that's not cool you know, and it's like is it worth it? Exactly right? Like yeah, but it's like for you, you're working on something that, like, actually matters to you and matters to other people. It's actually impactful. And not to say you can't work at these companies and do impactful things. There are plenty of things you can do. But also, it still remains to be said that, like, there's so much important work excuse me, there's so much important work that needs to be done in places, but people just don't know about it and it needs more press, it needs more exposure, because you just never know. Like you said, you didn't know about this stuff, but, alhamdulillah, you went into this and you're like, wow, like how did I not know about this? And now everybody needs to know about this. You know, yeah.

Hawa: 31:46

Yeah for sure. And there's so many things like that out there. You know, so many initiatives, so many organizations, important things that need the manpower to and the innovation behind them, but like they're behind because they don't, because they don't have the, for example, like government, maybe the right funding is not going towards the thing it needs to be going to. So that's why people can give the the competitive salaries that right they need to give, you know, but it's important spot on literally yeah 100.

Aminata: 32:16

But I hope that changes for sure and, yeah, like, the drive to make an impact leads people to government jobs, smaller companies, um, yeah like, and it's not just becoming about total comp and big names because, yeah, I shifted like, I would definitely say like the type of impact that's possible in the environmental sector. Like I am, I love where I'm working at and I probably Allah knows like whether or not I would have found this satisfaction and this drive and even like make an impact as close to this if I was working for a bigger company like.

Hawa: 33:03

So, from the Develop for Good initiative that you were talking about, to your fellowship at Rewriting the Code, what is a project that made you like, step back and say like, ok, this is why I'm doing, this is why I'm in tech.

Aminata: 33:18

So I worked with, like a product manager. It was giving experience to students in these in these roles, experience to students in these in these roles.

Aminata: 33:29

like I was working with a product manager, another software developer, like three software developers, and we worked with a non-profit that was out in california and revamping their website, so that was like a web dev and also mobile development awesome kind of thing going on developed good, I would say like was a moment for me where I was like, if I continue, you know, as a software developer, I I need to do like I I saw myself just gaining so much with working closely with smaller companies and helping them reach their, their missions, you know. So it was. I was paired with other software developers and a product manager. Most of us were students and we were working with a nonprofit that is out in California and their website was like really behind, I believe. They had some sort of technology that was like not going to be in existence for long. It was about to be like completely um, I don't know what's, what's the term for it, but they needed to basically rebuild and we worked with them.

Aminata: 34:40

Um, in doing that and you know the non-profit, like the work that they did. Essentially it involves giving young not young, but like giving anyone who strives to be an entrepreneur. Like that's where they would help, like you would go over to them and they would help you with scoping out your business. They would point you out to grants and loans that are available, and they were all about financial freedom and financial empowerment for community members within I don't know the actual. I know the name in California, like the name of the San Diego. I know that when, like before I even applied, I had joined like a summer, like for the organization as a whole.

Aminata: 35:25

What they do is they work with nonprofits who maybe do not have such an advanced tech team and they want things that they need. They have goals and missions of and areas where they can improve technical wise, but they just don't have the resources. So Develop for Good, I believe, came about to kind of bridge that gap. It's like a win-win right. Yeah, absolutely, as a college student, everybody wants an internship, you know, came about to kind of bridge that gap. It's like a win-win right. Yeah, absolutely, student, everybody wants an internship.

Aminata: 35:50

You know an internship route is not easy and then you have non-profits and smaller companies that would love interns and would love to have students on board who can help them reach their technical mission so um, I remember joining a summer like summer demo of the students who were working that entire summer and just getting a demo. They kind of presented it on Zoom of everything for good, developing for something impactful, Because prior to that, you know it was on my mind big companies.

Aminata: 36:36

That's kind of that was the goal at the time. But then when I saw that I was like wait, like there's a possibility to like do both, and it spoke to me again because you know, I spoke about being someone who was always for activism but just any impact really, that that can actually, that I can bring home, that I can, that that that will feel like I am serving myself, I'm serving people that look like me, and that was that. That that spoke to me. That spoke to me. So, yeah, I would say that that was kind of the doors, the door that I went into prior to finding myself in the energy world. I love that.

Aminata: 37:15

Yeah, and it made me again like say, yeah, this is if. If I were to continue as a software developer, this is, this is where I would see myself this type of impact. Yeah, I love that that was a ramble, but yeah, no, you're fine, you got that.

Hawa: 37:33

No, that's amazing. I really like. No, I liked how you dived into that. Honestly, truly, I think it's important to really like link back to that moment because, you know, at the time it's like you don't think of these moments. It's always like little moments that add up Right and you're just thinking of it as like oh, in the end at the time you're probably like, oh, that's interesting, that's cool, whoa. And then like, kind of like kept pushing, but now you can look back and reflect and be like wow, like that is that was the key turning point. You know, and you know everybody has that in their story. So I just thought that was really interesting and cool. So for sure, with engaging with you know, doing this work now and engaging with underserved communities and things like that, what has have these collaborations taught you about the intersection of technology and humanity?

Aminata: 38:25

Wow, yeah, so I mean prior to, like this summer, like I didn't find myself in spaces where I'm engaging with, you know, these underserved communities, priority communities, and it's catered to them. Going into that, and also being someone who's from an underserved community themselves, it made me realize like, in a lot of ways, we were behind and there's like a catch up that I had to play that was happening like in present time. One example of this would be like over the summer, when I was working with Unified Ground, there was a initiative revolving AI AI in underserved communities and how community organizations and MWBEs a lot of them can use AI to help enhance the current you know work that they're doing and but many of them do not know how to do that. Many of them are not equipped with the tools to be able to get AI like, be knowledgeable on AI and start using it to just, you know, in a lot of ways, help the work that they're doing.

Aminata: 39:48

You know, in a lot of ways, help the work that they're doing and you know being part of these circles where I'm talking and I'm realizing it and I'm just like wow, and that prompted me to want to be part of something I then went on to do with Jamil for AI, which put a heavy focus on hearing what community members would benefit from if you know, if they had the tools, and kind of. Yeah, it was a conference that I did. I'm going to find the conference name. I did it. It was the Urban Tech Conference or was it Urban Tech Summit but the primary goal of that was to build a toolkit, that gap, like trying to tackle ways to bridge the gap between current technical advancements that are out there and then my current self as someone from an underserved community.

Hawa: 41:00

So you've worked with data, ai, mapping tools, et cetera. What, as an engineer, what is one piece of tech or a tool that you use but you and you now cannot live without, and why?

Aminata: 41:14

okay. So, yeah, there's many technologies and tools that I enjoy, but one that I was like most recently like introduced so I did not know of its existence. It's xml. I don't know if you have you heard of xml yep, yeah, so, um, like, as a data engineer, I use it a lot, especially at the company I'm working on. The reason why I love it so much is because, as someone who's working with schemas, it forces it to like validate every single time. You're writing XML code, you're constantly validating, and, as someone who like would code regularly and it's like, okay, I got to go through compilation errors and runtime errors, and that debugging process with XML is kind of like, as you go, it's validating and, as you, it's like limiting the possibility of having a bunch of mistakes, which is which can be very, very common. So I think I'm I'm a diehard XML fan. I, I like, I like writing XML.

Hawa: 42:22

I like that. I never I've. That's the first I'm hearing of that, so I think that's really cool. And if you could build an app for the Bronx community today, what would it do and how would it make a difference?

Aminata: 42:38

You know, it's actually I've had this question and several app ideas came to mind, but I also really wanted, right, like when I had this question in my mind and when I was like brainstorming on, okay, like will I build an app? If so, what will it be centered on? I really wanted it to align with my faith because I feel like when I went into college and then through high school, I had to work. I went into college and then through high school, I had to work. I had to start working pretty young and I kind of put a pause on me going to Arabic school very consistently since I was young.

Aminata: 43:16

But I told myself that after college, you know, after inshallah, like Allah blesses me with a full-time job that I would start, you know, putting a lot more time and prioritizing understanding my dean and I told myself, like if I were to build an app, I actually started like a whole, like I broke it down like this app idea and essentially what it does, is it, there's a, there's an app like it, that that already exists. However, that almost discouraged me from going there. But then, you know, I was told by, you know, a really great mentor to still go through because my story is unique and how it came about is unique. So yeah, so it's like a Quran Shazam app, because there was one Ramadan where I was in prayer and I wanted to read along during Taraweeh, and it was just taking so long for me to find it.

Hawa: 44:20

That's when I was like yeah, that's like the worst.

Aminata: 44:23

We were like did you find it? Did you find it? No, she was like I think it's Surah.

Hawa: 44:27

Yusuf, when you're in Taraweeh and you're asking did you find it? Did you find it? No, she was like I think it's Sura Yusuf. When you're in Tarawih and you're asking everybody around you, you're like guys, what picture are we on? What picture are we on?

Aminata: 44:33

Like, yeah, it's stressing. So in that moment oh my God, seriously, like in that moment in 2023 of Ramadan, I was like, nah, something got to give Because I wanted it to be easier. I didn't want it to be a hassle, I want to read along and it's taking time from the prayer. Now I was like, yeah, I'm going to look into this. So it came from that moment, that singular moment, where, when I thought about okay, do I want to build an app, I was just like, oh my gosh, I should build an app like that. So I haven't began developing. I actually want was doing like a customer discovery phase for it, where I was asking I wanted to see how, how. And it's really, really nice and assuring to hear that you went through a similar experience like, hey guys, what page are we on right? Like I wanted to know it has ever. Has anyone else ever experienced this, or are we all have feed this like no knowledgeable?

Hawa: 45:33

man, you know, increase our knowledge and everything but me. I'm not even close, so I was like I, I need that. Yeah, that thing was stressing me out. Man, I would, I would be like, and then you know you're too far. He's like too far into the surah at this point and everybody's about to go into ruku, and then you're just like oh well, I got to commit. Now I can't be on my phone, yeah so yeah, it's like you miss out on Absolutely you miss out on this wave.

Aminata: 46:09

You got to this wave, you gotta wait for the next wave. It's like, yeah, yeah. So I was just in that moment like if only I could just say hey what sort of is this and then have it like, point to it.

Aminata: 46:14

But yeah, like I said earlier, um, there is an app that exists, like it, um, but I still didn't at first, like I said, I was gonna be like you know what, you know it, okay, but then there are many versions of many things that exist all at once. And, yeah, I came from that authentic experience that I had where I want to build an app that um is for all Muslims all over the world. I know you said Bronx, but I really wanted it to be faith centered because, like, yeah, I just that was really important to me. Like I know that a lot of people they're like, like and I've heard this so many times like it's the saying of, oh, like, it's such a bummer that whatever what I studied in college is not really helping me Islamically. Like I've heard that from a lot of people.

Aminata: 47:05

And the balance is important and to find the intersection is important and to find the intersection is it's just so beautiful and I, I want to, I want to do that. There are like a couple of initiatives. Like I'm being born and raised from the Bronx, like it's just going to take me maybe like a couple of minutes to really sit and think, like knowing the issues that exist, a couple of minutes to sit and think about, ok, apps that can come and make our lives easier, because it's firsthand experience for being born and raised here. That's something I'm totally up for, you know, guides me into, you know, building something that I can call my own that can be impactful as well, like I mean.

Hawa: 47:47

I mean you. I mean no, yeah, it's super important to find that intersection. Even me, like inshallah, I'm working on something now that kind of works on that as well, so it's super important. I think, like, like you said, you, you want to um, make something that like contributes to your dean and also, like leaves a positive impact on your, this umma, and I was gonna say, yeah, don't let that. Like I was gonna say, like uber live, they exist, door dash uber eats. Like grubhub postmates, they all exist, they all have their share in the market. Yes, so you can't let they do.

Hawa: 48:20

You know, I mean mashallah to that team tartill. They're really cool and it's also really cool to see other Muslim developers. But, like you know, even if you don't become the next, you know, whatever, it's still a great learning experience, it's still a great opportunity to build a product for yourself. I mean, you don't want to lose, lose, and you never know, like, even within building that app, like even within building an app, like you never know, like, even within building that app, like even within building an app, like you never know what more ideas could come from that. Or maybe you find a different implementation, or maybe you find a better way to do something else, and you know it's like sometimes you like great ideas come from like taking what's already there and just improving upon it. Right, well, with that, I enjoyed our conversation. Everything it was amazing.

Aminata: 49:10

Honestly, you're such an amazing person yes, I really, really enjoyed our conversation. You're an amazing, amazing. I'm so happy. I've been talking to all my like close friends and my sister. I was invited to talk on a podcast and, yeah, I'm so happy and this is such a oh my gosh, what you're doing is amazing.

Hawa: 49:34

Oh, thank you.

Aminata: 49:36

May Allah put Barakah into it. I mean, I mean thank you, platforms like this, where you know again, like that representation is so important.

Hawa: 49:44

It is and it's a driver and that's why I was so happy to hear what you were saying in your story, because I was like yes this is like literally everything that I'm like everything that you were saying.

Hawa: 49:54

I'm like, yes, this is like golden, because I'm so glad you had the opportunity, or like you were here, because you know, there's not, like I said, there's not a lot of people in the intersection of tech and, you know, environmental initiatives and all these things. I'm so happy to be able to speak to you today and you just had so many amazing things to say. Mashallah, I can't wait to, you know, inshallah, have like a follow up and kind of see like where you're at and stuff a little while from now, because I really did enjoy our interview and our conversation.

Aminata: 50:25

You're amazing, so mashallah, mashallah enjoy our interview and our conversation. You're amazing, so mashallah, mashallah. So thank you, and if you are ever in new york like, oh girl, hit me up. I don't have a ride, but we can take the train, don't worry don't worry, inshallah, I'll take you up on that.

Hawa: 50:37

Actually, because, yes, me and a couple of my friends were like we want to travel. We want to go to new y. All this amazing halal food, like everything is halal up there. There's so many amazing Muslimahs up there. I'm like, yeah, we got to go.

Aminata: 50:55

Definitely come For sure.

Hawa: 50:57

Inshallah. Yes, so I actually have one more closing question for you. Yes, yes, it is. What is your favorite ayah from the Quran and how does it inspire or influence your approach to your career, your industry and your life?

Aminata: 51:15

My favorite verse in the Quran is actually in Surah Al-Imran, verse 200. And it goes. I love that verse. I actually wrote it and had it on my cap when I graduated in May and it basically means oh, believers, patiently, endure, persevere, stand on guard and be mindful of Allah so you may be successful, and be mindful of Allah so you may be successful. And that wraps up my journey in college and many aspects of my life as well, but mostly college, like I felt that on a personal level because it was like a lot of endurance, a lot of persevering when hard times hit, but that assurance to just continue to trust Allah and have tawakkul, which saved me in so many ways, having tawakkul and it leads you to be successful in the end. And I just love it. It's a short but powerful and amazing, amazing, amazing verse. I love it. I love it so much and that's yeah, that's one of my favorite verses.

Hawa: 52:34

I probably can't, but that resonated with me, with me, oh wow, in this chapter of my life. Mashallah thing almost made me a little emotional. There I was like, oh my god, like that's really beautiful and I can hear a lot of gems.

Aminata: 52:41

Yeah, oh, it's like it's almost like the verse where it's like yeah, alhamdulillah for islam. Yeah, like the verse that that's a lot more popular. Um, like with hardship comes ease yeah, so it yeah, but yeah, I, I love this verse. Thanks for asking what an amazing question. You have great questions, thank you sister, I'm trying, truly, truly, truly.

Hawa: 53:12

May Allah reward you. May Allah put barakah in your endeavors, in your affairs. And hey, if you need another developer for your project, you can hit me up. I'm always down to work on like another project.

Aminata: 53:24

So oh my gosh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, a hundred percent I will. This isn't the end, no, for sure Of our conversation. I think you got a lot, a lot to know about me, but I can't wait for, like an in-person- oh, inshallah, I would love to meet you in person, inshallah. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Insh lot, yes, well and it's pray time here as well. Oh yes, oh, you're right. So quickly, quickly, where?

Hawa: 53:56

can we find?

Aminata: 53:56

you yeah, oh, um, my linkedin is oh yeah, linkedin, yeah, I mean, I just say yeah, that works okay, cool, awesome, and of course I'll leave that in the bio.

Hawa: 54:04

But yes, or the bio, the um, the show notes or whatever but yes, thank you so much, sister go ahead. Thank you um salam alaikum. It was a wonderful conversation. Inshallah, I'll keep you posted.

Aminata: 54:17

Yes, please do, thank you.