Belle Sisters:
Hello everyone, and welcome to Belles Beyond Feature by Belle SistersToday, I’m joined by Dr. Kym, an engineer, educator, and social impact leader. She has worked extensively in building sustainable education and vocational pathways globally and supports scholars through Dissertation Accountability Partners.

Dr. Kym, welcome to the show.

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
Thank you so much. It’s a pleasure to be with you today.

Belle Sisters:
We’re so glad to have you. Could you tell us a bit more about yourself, beyond the introduction?

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
Absolutely. A lot has changed since I first applied to be here. I’m no longer the Director of Education and Vocational Schools at Empower to Restore. I’m now fully focused on Dissertation Accountability Partners, and we’re currently in a transition phase.

But let me take a step back. You’re right, I started as an engineer. I worked on major projects across the United States, particularly in Miami. Some of my work was also at the Kennedy Space Center. I wasn’t directly employed by NASA; I worked with a contractor that supported NASA operations.

I spent about 10 years in that space before transitioning into IT, where I worked with a major broadcasting system during their shift from analog to digital. Over time, I’ve worked across different areas of engineering, it’s all connected, but each project brings something new.

Eventually, I transitioned into education.

Belle Sisters:
That’s fascinating. Could you take us back to your time working as a contractor on NASA-related projects?

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
Of course. I worked with an organization that held the Base Operations Contract at the Kennedy Space Center. Any maintenance work required on-site went through us.

As an electrical engineer, I handled the electrical components. I like to say, “You see my work, but you don’t really see it.” If you flip a switch and the light comes on, that’s my work.

One major project I worked on was refurbishing the Vehicle Assembly Building, where space shuttles were assembled. We upgraded outdated electrical systems and modernized the infrastructure. Another project involved reducing energy consumption by 20% through a lighting initiative, replacing older lights with more energy-efficient ones that also eliminated mercury content.

We also worked on upgrading facilities, including restrooms, to meet ADA requirements. One of my favorite parts was collaborating with a civil engineer to design vibrant, color-coded bathrooms so people would remember which building they were in.

It was an incredible experience. I got to see shuttle launches and meet astronauts, and I’m proud to say my grandson now works at the Space Center.

Belle Sisters:
That’s amazing. So how did you get into electrical engineering in the first place?

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
It started with my mother. She always made sure we stayed active during the summer. In Philadelphia, she found programs and opportunities for us to explore.

Eventually, she enrolled me in an engineering introduction program at Drexel University. There, we were exposed to electrical, mechanical, structural, and civil engineering. They gave us hands-on projects. I tried building structures, but mine didn’t hold up. However, when we were asked to build a calculator, everything changed. I learned how to solder and assemble components, and when I turned it on, it worked.

That moment made me realize, “I can do this.”

Belle Sisters:
It really shows how impactful your mother was in shaping your path.

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
Absolutely. She planted the seed. My mother was a nurse, and many of my family members were educators. I always said I didn’t want to be either.

But life has a way of coming full circle, because now I’m in education.

I later learned that my father was an engineer, and I also had a mentor who was one of the first Black engineers to graduate from Drexel University. So those influences were always there.

Belle Sisters:

Can you walk us through your career journey and how you transitioned into education?

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
I moved from Philadelphia to Florida after graduating from Temple University. I initially moved there to get married. It didn’t work out, but I stayed because my sister was there.

I started working at an architectural engineering firm. Back then, you could walk in, fill out an application, and get hired, it was very different from today. Throughout my career, I was often the first Black female engineer in those spaces, though I didn’t fully realize it at the time.

Later, I moved to Florida’s Space Coast and worked with NASA contractors. From there, my transition into education happened unexpectedly.

While working on my doctorate in Organizational Management with a focus on Information Systems Technology, people kept asking me for guidance. Eventually, I realized I was already doing the work, so I turned it into a business.

Belle Sisters:
That’s powerful. What exactly does your work involve now?

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
I support graduate students who are working on their dissertations. I help them stay focused, organized, and confident throughout the process.

Many students struggle with delays, feedback loops, and self-doubt. I guide them through those challenges so they don’t get discouraged. When I was pursuing my doctorate, I struggled as well. I lacked confidence in my writing, and I don’t want others, especially Black scholars, to go through that alone.

Belle Sisters:
Your work feels deeply purpose-driven.

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
It truly is. Through my work with Empower to Restore, I traveled to several African countries, and that experience changed me. I saw firsthand the gaps in infrastructure, access to clean water, healthcare, and education. It gave me a deeper appreciation and a stronger sense of purpose.

We worked on improving educational systems, training teachers, and creating vocational programs for young women, such as sewing and tailoring. These programs have graduated nearly 800 students, many of whom now run their own businesses or have found employment.

Belle Sisters:
For someone starting out in business, what should they focus on first?

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
Start with your why. Understand why you’re doing this.

Then figure out how you’ll do it. Don’t work in isolation, collaboration is key. Also, follow the process. Handle your legal and financial setup properly and get professional help if needed.

Most importantly, test your idea. Not just with friends, but with real users. Keep refining until you find what works.

Belle Sisters:
Entrepreneurship really requires consistency and resilience.

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
It does. While technology is helpful, don’t underestimate the power of face-to-face communication. And keep learning. I’m always reading and growing.

Belle Sisters:
As we wrap up, what’s one thing you’d like our listeners to take away?

Dr. Kym Grant-Horsey:
Believe in yourself. You are capable. Invest in your growth, through education, conversations, books, or experiences. Learning never stops.

Belle Sisters:
Thank you so much, Dr. Kym.

Before we go, Belle Sisters is a safe and intentional community for women of color, especially Black women, navigating business and life.

If you’re listening and you’ve been craving genuine sisterhood and honest conversations like this, we invite you to visit our website, explore the membership options, and join us.

Thank you for listening, and we’ll see you in the next episode.