Michele Wise Wright, Ph.D., is a remarkable individual whose life journey has been marked by dedication, advocacy and innovation toward equity in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and human health. A lifetime member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the director of business development and outreach for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Dr. Wright has left an indelible mark on the worlds of technology, education, healthcare and wellness.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Wright’s journey began with a strong educational foundation. She earned her Ph.D. in public policy, specializing in health and leadership policy, from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. This was only one of her many academic accomplishments, which also include becoming the first African-American student to earn a Master of Science in engineering management/industrial engineering from the University of tennessee Space Institute (UTSI). Dr. Wright was the first National GEM Consortium Fellow at UTSI and organized and chartered the inaugural NSBE chapter there — a defining moment of her early career. The UTSI NSBE Chapter received acclaim with NSBE’s Regional Chapter of Scholars Award, and Dr. Wright’s impact was further solidified when she was named a NSBE Fellow during her two terms as president of the chapter.
Earlier, Dr. Wright completed her undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. During her time at Tuskegee, she was deeply involved in NSBE, held significant leadership roles and received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Electrical Engineering Student of the Year award. The award was presented by Tuskegee professor Arthur J. Bond, Ph.D., who had advised NSBE’s founding members during his time on the faculty of Purdue University.
A Multifaceted Career
Dr. Wright began her professional career as an engineer and soon evolved into a multidimensional senior executive. Her early work experiences encompassed roles in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sales, healthcare administration and business development for Fortune 100 companies and an international nonprofit organization.
Throughout her career, Dr. Wright has tirelessly advocated for STEM equity and diversity, both within her professional roles and beyond. Her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in STEM is evident in her extensive efforts to promote education and career opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Champion for Health Equity and Rare Disease Awareness
Dr. Wright’s contributions to DEI extend to the literary world. In 2009, she authored the book “DEAR SUCCESS SEEKER: Wisdom from Outstanding Women,” a collection of inspiring stories from 85 remarkable, diverse trailblazers in various career fields. This volume received the prestigious USA “Best Books 2011” Top Award for best new nonfiction and was added to the reference shelves of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Dr. Wright’s advocacy extends beyond the realm of STEM into the critical domain of health equity. Her personal journey with her husband, Terry Wright, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, sparked her activism for those living with rare diseases. Cystic fibrosis is relatively rare among African American individuals, and Dr. Wright became a fervent advocate for diagnosing and treating rare diseases, particularly within underrepresented communities.
She cofounded and chairs the nonprofit National Organization of African Americans with Cystic Fibrosis, a testament to her dedication to improving the lives of those affected by the disease. Dr. Wright’s work in the healthcare sector has earned her numerous accolades and awards.
Expanding Educational Horizons
One of Dr. Wright’s most notable contributions to education is the creation of two award-winning edutainment platforms: My Water Buddy and My Learning Buddy. These tools promote physical and social-emotional health, as well as STEM education, for elementary school students. Using these platforms, she has significantly expanded young learners’ access to valuable curricula that empower them. Dr. Wright’s efforts have reverberated through the rare disease community, where she continues to advocate for “Terry Wright’s Law.” This legislation aims to improve equity in newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) by including all known CF-causing gene variants, particularly benefiting BIPOC individuals who may experience delayed or missed diagnoses caused by rare CF variants. In 2021, Dr. Wright and her husband raised more than $100,000 to support foundations working to improve health access for Black Americans, Latino Americans and Native Americans. Their work garnered significant attention, including features in notable publications such as National Geographic.
Today, Dr. Wright’s work is focused on the corporations she has built around My Water Buddy and My Learning Buddy. My Water Buddy, Inc., uses edutainment to promote the benefits of drinking water and to educate children about achieving a healthier lifestyle. My Learning Buddy, Inc., offers social-emotional and STEM edutainment curriculums, inspiring total body participation in the classroom and helping children engage with the world around them.
Dr. Wright is also the author and creator of “THE WATER TALES: Ten Life Lessons from My Water Buddy and Family,” a podcast and children’s book that explores the importance of water while addressing essential life topics for children.
Well-Earned Recognition
Dr. Wright’s impactful work has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards, including Equanimity’s “Visionary Voice Award,” the Sister Friends United, Inc., “Women of Excellence Business Award”, USA Today “Woman of the Year for Arkansas”, American Association of Retired Persons “Purpose Prize Award”, Nations of Women change Makers “Global Leadership Award”, JB Dondolo’s Voices for Water “Water Change-Maker Award” and Sister Friends’ inaugural “Five-Year Service Award.”
Dr. Michele Wise Wright’s contributions to STEM equity, health advocacy and education have left an indelible mark, inspiring generations to come. Through her remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, Dr. Wright continues to be a beacon of hope and change in our society.
Author- Derius Galvez, Editor-in-Chief