ABOUT MINORITIES IN AQUACULTURE

2024 ANNUAL REPORT

Mission: We bridge the gap between minority individuals aspiring to build careers in aquaculture and the industry's workforce development needs, requirements & goals.

Vision: Through our empowering network, aquaculture knowledge, intentional resource allocation, and career development opportunities, we strive to facilitate & promote a more inclusive and sustainable future for the aquaculture sector.

ABOUT US…

Minorities in Aquaculture is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2020 by Imani Black, an African American oyster farmer building a career in the rapidly growing aquaculture industry.

MIA was created by a vision of more diverse, inclusive all aquaculture sectors. In 3 years, we have been educating underrepresented demographics about the environmental benefits of aquaculture & growing viable career pipeline, we can create long lasting diverse stewards, employees and innovators that strongly impact the industry for the future.

Currently, we are the only minority workforce development organization in the industry globally.

We achieve with approaches such as:

  • Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA) membership program that includes live and virtual workshops, training and certification assistance, academic and professional mentoring, networking, and access to job postings.

  • Paid internship initiative with partner aquaculture organizations and operations to provide opportunities free of financial barriers.

  • Mini grants for African Americans starting careers in one of the multidisciplinary fields of aquaculture (finfish, shellfish, seagrass, microalgae, etc.).

PARTNERS

Thank you to our Partners for creating opportunities to make the summer internship program possible.

SPONSORS

Thank you to our Partners that helped springboard the Summer Internships and Minorities On Course programs.