By Nanette Soto
When COVID hit and educational disparities became an even more glaring issue, Ariana Abramson felt it was time to address an unacceptable experience many people of color encounter: being discounted and passed over for opportunities — despite stellar academic and professional credentials — due to their racial and ethnic makeup. Unsatisfied with this status quo in corporate America and inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, she decided it was time to use her world-class STEM background to effect positive change in the way companies of all shapes and sizes consider and engage with minority employees. The result of that determination was DivySci — a software platform that identifies internal bias in person-to-person interactions.
Abramson, a proud second-generation Afro-Latina, grew up with an ardent love for science. As a kid, her mother often took her to the Long Island Aquarium, which piqued her interest in biology at an early age. This fascination with the world and its diversity were complemented by the Queens community in which she grew up. That enclave, which included family, teachers, and other role models, encouraged her to be curious and ask questions. These were essential introductions to the scientific method that would further cement her interests in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
That positive reinforcement towards science ceased the moment she stepped outside that circle, however. During high school, she experienced institutionalized racism first-hand and noticed scant educational opportunities in STEM fields for people of color. Whenever she expressed her resolve to pursue a STEM career, she was often met with a version of, “What makes you think you can go to this fancy school or be a scientist?” in lieu of encouragement.
Rather than demoralize her, these unconscious biases fueled her determination to stake a career in STEM. Abramson went on to earn a B.S. in computer science and a minor in mathematics from Pace University and her M.S. in information science and business strategy from Columbia University. From there, she applied her STEM education as an in-demand consultant at large enterprises, venture capital funds, and social-mission-based organizations, including American Express, Antler Global VC Fund, Digital Undivided, and The United Nations Development Programme.
Abramson believes the lack of fair representation in STEM is due, in most part, to implicit bias by people in power who are usually oblivious of their prejudices. Unmasking the behavior, therefore, affords an opportunity to correct it.
DivySci uses natural language processing to analyze emotional phrasing. Powered by artificial intelligence, the intelligence tool looks for particular language bias markers in voice and text translators that can help managers and higher-ups become more responsible in their communications with minority staff and colleagues.
“We help organizations interact more effectively with their diverse stakeholders by supporting effective and inclusive conversations and experiences,” says Abramson. “Through assessments both at the leadership and team levels, the platform identifies behaviors that perpetuate exclusionary and bias outcomes. My vision is to leverage technology to form a diverse and equitable future of STEM work.”
The company is currently onboarding corporate private partners and is looking to launch its first pilot program in the summer before offering the tool to the public in the third quarter. In addition, it has recently been accepted into Columbia Women’s Initiative Project Two.Eight for female start-up founders and is participating in First Flight Venture Center’s “Propellar” incubator program for innovative technology and science-based companies.
Through DivySci, Abramson hopes to bridge the scholastic and opportunity divides barring minorities from executive positions in STEM workplaces. As a fempreneur, Abramson also feels it is her calling to serve as a role model for women of color seeking to start their own businesses. In the beginning, she felt overwhelmed and did not know where to begin. However, after reading educational blogs from business formation experts Incfile, her fears dissipated, and she quickly and efficiently got DivySci up and running.
One of the most rewarding attributes of owning her own business is the intellectual freedom and space to dream and create without boundaries. Another is the ability to improve the lives of others who, like her, encountered obstacles to employment opportunities due to skin color. She is eager to bear witness to how technology and science will transform the world for the better and is thrilled at the prospect of seeing minority women at the forefront of this revolution.
She compares being a business owner to a scientist looking to solve a problem through constant experimentation. Finding the right formula may require tweaking a campaign’s direction, rethinking a strategy, or completely revamping the entire organization’s mission. Regardless, she believes three important variables to success are humility, eagerness, and continual learning. Visit https://www.divysci.com/.
