Work with Jessica Esquivel
Let's Create the Future TogetherWork with Jessica
Let's Create the Future TogetherBy collaboratively developing programming that is culturally sensitive, impactful, and transformational.
Culturally Relevant STEAM Education
Grounded in the experiences of Black and Brown communities, our workshops bridge the gap between traditional STEAM topics and culturally-responsive pedagogy.
Hands-on Learning
Dr. Esquivel strives to create interactive, experiential learning environments where participants can explore topics like coding, data science, and sustainability in a way that resonates with their lived experiences.
Community-Centered Solutions
Dr. Esquivel incorporates real-world, community-centered issues to help participants see how STEAM education can drive change in their own neighborhoods and beyond.
Breaking Barriers and Building Inclusive Futures for Marginalized Communities
Jessica Esquivel: Championing Equity and Innovation in STEAM
Dr. Jessica Esquivel, co-founder of Oyanova Enterprises, is a trailblazing physicist, movement builder, and advocate for equity in STEAM fields. As one of the few Afrolatine queer women in the world of STEAM, Jessica has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of underrepresentation, microaggressions, and the difficulty of living authentically in predominantly white, male-dominated spaces. This has deeply shaped her approach to program and workshop development, where mental health awareness is at the forefront of her mission to foster inclusive and empowering environments for marginalized communities. With years of experience developing educational and interactive content for museums, STEAM textbook publishers, and conferences, Jessica brings her unique expertise and vision to every collaboration. Whether you’re looking to create impactful, culturally-sensitive programming or seeking consultation in the afrofuturistic space, Jessica is committed to transforming how communities engage with science and storytelling.
Services
Workshop Development
Dr. Esquivel specializes in creating tailored workshops that align with the unique needs of your community or organization. Jessica has worked with leading educational institutions and organizations to design workshops that engage diverse audiences. Jessica’s workshops go beyond traditional STEAM education by addressing the mental health challenges that marginalized individuals often face in these spaces. She draws on her experience collaborating with museums, textbook publishers, and conferences to develop interactive content prioritizing mental wellness, authenticity, and culturally responsive engagement.
Consulting
Dr. Esquivel’s consulting services extend far beyond traditional STEAM education. She blends her expertise in particle physics with a deep love for storytelling and sci-fi, offering unique consulting opportunities. Jessica’s consulting services are designed to help you assess, redesign, and implement culturally-inclusive STEAM programs. Dr. Esquivel works closely with educators, administrators, and organizations to develop STEAM programming, ranging from futuristic projects to STEAM learning hubs. Her praxis reflects her commitment to integrating mental health and well-being into the core of STEAM programming. Whether she’s consulting for speculative fiction projects, grant development, or developing STEAM learning hubs, she ensures that representation and inclusivity are prioritized.
Mentoring
As someone who has often been one of the few Afrolatine queer women in STEAM spaces, Jessica is deeply committed to mentoring others who may feel isolated or overwhelmed by the challenges of representation. Jessica believes in the power of mentorship to spark curiosity and uplift the next generation of STEAM leaders. As Oyanova builds, so will our mentorship programs and our offerings will provide guidance, support, and inspiration to young people and professionals alike.
Workshop Features
Museum & Interactive Exhibits
Drawing on her experience creating educational content for museums, Jessica designs exhibits that make complex STEAM topics accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages.
STEAM Interactive Learning Hubs
Jessica’s vision for interactive learning hubs includes culturally-sensitive, healing-centered environments where participants can explore STEAM fields without the weight of external biases or microaggressions, ensuring mental health support is integral to the learning experience.
Conference Programming
With a deep understanding of conference dynamics, Jessica works with organizers to develop engaging and inclusive STEAM sessions, ensuring that all participants feel represented and inspired.
Authentic Representation
With her deep understanding of the cultural and social challenges faced by Black, Brown, and LGBTQ2S+ communities, Jessica ensures her workshops are inclusive and reflective of the diverse experiences of participants.
Consulting Offerings
STEAM Textbook and Curriculum Design
Jessica has collaborated with textbook publishers to ensure STEAM materials reflect diverse perspectives and cultures, offering fresh insights for educators and learners alike.
Strategic Program Design
Jessica will help you craft STEAM initiatives that are not only innovative but also sustainable, ensuring long-term impact in historically underserved communities.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Integration
Jessica will ensure your organization’s STEAM programming is aligned with DEI best practices to foster an environment where all students and professionals can thrive.
Creative Learning Hubs
Jessica is passionate about creating interactive hubs that fuse cutting-edge STEAM education with cultural relevance. These hubs serve as hands-on learning environments that engage diverse communities, empowering participants to explore science in ways that resonate with their lived experiences.
Culturally-Responsive STEAM Futures Programming
As a thought leader at the intersection of science and creativity, Jessica consults on future-forward educational projects that push the boundaries of STEAM learning by envisioning afrofuturistic worlds where science, technology, and imagination collide. These programs not only deliver scientific rigor but also actively address the mental health needs of historically excluded individuals.
Mentoring Connections
Career Development
Jessica’s career development programs support emerging professionals in discovering their passions, sharpening their skills, and building networks that will sustain them throughout their careers.
Group Mentorship Programs
Whether through workshops or structured mentorship cohorts, Jessica fosters a sense of community and shared learning, helping mentees support one another while advancing in their fields.
Personalized Mentorship
Jessica offers one-on-one mentoring sessions focused on navigating STEAM fields, overcoming barriers, and creating pathways to success for Black and Brown Individuals.
Mental Wellness Incorporation
Jessica emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces where participants can express the difficulties of navigating STEAM fields as underrepresented individuals. This creates a learning environment where mental well-being is prioritized alongside academic achievement.
My Approach
At the heart of my work is a commitment to community-driven transformation rooted in the principles of care, authenticity, and innovation. I center the lived experiences of Black and Brown communities, developing programs and initiatives that acknowledge both the systemic challenges we face and the power we hold to redefine the future of STEAM education.
By integrating mental health awareness, cultural relevance, and inclusive representation into everything I do, I ensure that STEAM becomes not only a tool for knowledge but also for healing and empowerment. Whether through workshop development, consulting, or mentorship, I strive to cultivate spaces where curiosity thrives, creativity is nurtured, and the full spectrum of our identities is celebrated.
My approach is grounded in the belief that authentic, impactful change happens when we honor our stories, embrace intersectionality, and build systems that reflect the strength and resilience of our communities. Together, we will disrupt the status quo, inspire curiosity, and forge new pathways for growth, learning, and liberation.
