Type: ICE Community blog

‘Real power is about making sure others can follow the path you’ve cleared’

Date: 30 October 2025

Standing firm in power and pride isn’t about seeking approval. It's about knowing your value, says Yewande Akinola MBE.

‘Real power is about making sure others can follow the path you’ve cleared’ — Yewande Akinola was awarded an MBE for her work in engineering innovation and diversity in STEM. Image credit: Yewande Akinola

When Yewande Akinola MBE was a young girl, she would design model houses for fun.

Little did she know then that she’d become an award-winning civil engineer, helping to bring technology and innovation closer to people.

Whether it’s by presenting TV shows on Channel 4 and National Geographic, or by mentoring young girls with similar aspirations, Yewande has made a point of opening doors for others.

As we celebrate Black History Month 2025, we spoke to Yewande about the lessons that’ve taught her how to stand firm in power and pride.

‘It’s not about seeking approval’

“Standing firm in power and pride isn’t about seeking approval,” Yewande says. “It’s about knowing your value and never shrinking yourself to fit in.”

As a Black woman in engineering, a field where representation is still lacking, Yewande’s path hasn’t always been easy.

But throughout, she’s stayed true to herself: someone who is passionate about innovating for a sustainable built environment.

She’s had a diverse career as a civil engineer, from working on 100-storey buildings to designing water supply and management systems that keep the taps flowing.

Her work has taken her around the world, with projects in the UK, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia.

Her achievements, including an MBE for her work in engineering innovation and diversity in STEM, show what’s possible through being authentic to yourself and your interests.

‘Making sure others can follow the path you’ve cleared’

Yewande’s success is a powerful example of what it takes to thrive in spaces not originally designed for you and to change those spaces for others.

“Real power isn’t just about personal success,” she says. “It’s about making sure others can follow the path you’ve cleared.”

With that in mind, she set up the Global Emit Project to mentor those who are interested in a career in engineering. And she supports initiatives such as No Limits by Innovate UK, which works to provide young people with the skills they need to succeed.

Earlier this year, she also curated The Ripple Effect Conference, designed to retain the incredible talent of women in engineering and technology.

Her recognition as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering highlights her impact and her role in challenging outdated ideas of who belongs in engineering.

‘Your identity isn’t a barrier. It’s your strength’

For young Black people pursuing STEM careers today, Yewande's advice is clear.

Stay curious. Find mentors. Know that your presence challenges stereotypes and opens doors.

“Your identity isn’t a barrier,” she says. “It’s your strength.”

Yewande has been practising this herself with appearances on Channel 4 (Titanic: The Mission), National Geographic, CBeebies, and Yesterday TV.

Her ability to explain complex ideas in simple, relatable ways helps make engineering feel more welcoming.

“Black young people need to see that engineering is a place for them,” she says. “Their ideas matter and the profession needs them.”

‘The best innovations serve and celebrate the communities they’re built for’

Above all, Yewande reminds us to think about the people that infrastructure serves.

“The best innovations serve and celebrate the communities they’re built for,” she says.

Her pride in her heritage is a vital part of her engineering approach. She focuses on solutions for underdeveloped countries and values work that honours history and culture.

She draws inspiration from Demas Nwoko, an African architect known for blending cultural stories into design and celebrating local materials.

Her work challenges the idea that engineering is neutral.

By embracing her identity, she shows that diverse perspectives aren’t just valuable, but they’re essential for creating solutions that truly serve all communities.

Designing with the ‘complete story’

Yewande approaches challenges with a unique perspective, always considering "the complete story" behind an engineering design solution.

She explains: “For example, when I design a water supply system for a building, I think about the users and the installation process.

“I apply the same approach when developing a product, considering how it’s made and how it’s distributed in terms of logistics.

“A complete solution emerges from designing for the entire value stream. I enjoy conducting research and engaging with a wide range of people to gather these insights.”