For this month’s Fish Sister profile, we are highlighting the inspiring Imani Black, the founder and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture, and student at University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science!

Imani Black is an African American oyster farmer with family ties to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay dating back 200 years. Imani is passionate about conservation and restoration and supporting underrepresented groups in the aquaculture industry. Through her non-profit, Minorities in Aquaculture, Imani has built a network for sustainable seafood education, career development, and engagement in the aquaculture field.

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CURRENT POSITION(S):

Master’s Student at UMD & Founder/CEO of Minorities In Aquaculture

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK/RESEARCH:

For my thesis I’m focusing on the Black maritime history in the Chesapeake Bay’s commercial fishing industry and looking at the domino effects that have led to their drastic decline in participation over the past few decades. For Minorities In Aquaculture, the nonprofit I founded in 2020, our mission is to be the bridge between the aquaculture industry’s workforce development and underrepresented demographic that have not had the access to the industry to be fully involved in any sector. So over the last almost 3 years, I’ve been doing both at the same time.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN FISHERIES?

I started in aquaculture in 2016 so almost 10 years.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD?

I had always been interested in anything outdoors and environmental since I was younger, so I always knew I wanted to do something within that industry since the beginning. It was honestly through the internship opportunities I had towards the end of college and after, that really allowed me to pursue aquaculture. First, with oyster restoration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and then oyster aquaculture at Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Since then, I’ve just continued in the oyster space in Virginia and Maryland working on different oyster farms and hatcheries over the years. Now with Minorities In Aquaculture I’ve stepped into the nonprofit/outreach sector of the industry, which has been a really great addition to my career.

WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?

I think the women in the aquaculture industry that I’ve met these last few years, our MIA members and the incredible women that are a part of the internal teams of the organization that have been amazing role models for me. It’s an honor to be surrounded, work with and collaborate with women of all races that are bringing their energy together to accomplish a goal. They motivate me everyday to be the best CEO I can be and to just keep pushing through the ups and downs so MIA can continue to impact lives and the industry all over the world. Without them, it would be impossible to do all the things that we’re doing now and the impact that we have. Their support means a lot to me and I’m excited to celebrate them the bigger and bigger MIA gets over the years.

WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN?

At the end of the day, you have to be happy with you life, your work and the way you show up in the world. So if you believe that you can do something, just go for it. No one can stop your purpose and what you’re meant to do in life, and it’s our job to keep our dream alive.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WOMEN ENTERING THE FIELD?

Your career journey into whatever you want to do does not have to be within the standard or “by the book” regardless of what people say. Your career is what you make it and the opportunities that you gather skills from to get to where you want to be. Be intentional about your path but also open to different possibilities that could propel you forward.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING IN FISHERIES?

I definitely think it’s the mix between science and having a physical job that has always been my favorite part of my career.

WHAT WAS THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD WHILE WORKING IN FISHERIES?

Probably the travel and places that I’ve been able to go while working and networking in aquaculture over the last 3 years. Just having those opportunities to see different operations and meet different farmers and experts has been amazing.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FISH?

I’d probably say striped bass or rockfish because I love to fish and I’ve grown up on the Chesapeake Bay fishing for them my whole life.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE?

Minorities in Aquaculture has summer internships for any woman of color interested in exploring aquaculture or continuing their career. Website: www.mianpo.org / IG: @mia_npo