Family Fellow Phoenix-Avery Reaches for the Stars 

In a recent Astrobites feature published during #BlackSpaceWeek: Black in Astro’s annual event—a national celebration of Black excellence in space-related fields—Foster Love Family Fellow Phoenix-Avery shared their remarkable path from foster care to astrophysics. In the interview, Avery shares how a foundation of community and support, like that from the Family Fellowship, helped guide them from foster care to a future in astrophysics.

Finding Inspiration Through Loss and Curiosity

Avery’s love for space began when their mother gifted them a telescope as a child. After losing their mom and entering the foster care system, they continued to pursue their interests with the help of mentors, teachers, and the Foster Love Family Fellowship. Their path reflects this year’s #BlackSpaceWeek theme, “Weaving the Universe Together,” as they bridge communities within and beyond academic science.

Overcoming Barriers in Higher Education

When they enrolled at university, they were one of the only students from their high school to attend. College came with its challenges: cultural adjustments, microaggressions, and early academic setbacks ike being placed on academic probation. 

Instead of giving up, they turned to faculty, peers, and mentors and found their way forward. Avery leaned on support systems, and used every challenge as motivation to grow. 

Attending the National Society of Black Physicists conference became a turning point, showing them what was possible and who they could become.

“It was so amazing to see so many different people who looked like me achieving and going beyond in the field.”

Powered by the Family Fellowship

Through Foster Love’s Family Fellowship, Phoenix-Avery found a network that believed in them. They shared that many people assume foster youth don’t have goals, but “those aspirations lie deeply within.”

The Family Fellowship helped them access key resources and reminded Avery they weren’t alone. Now, they use their voice to advocate for more opportunities for foster youth in higher education and STEM.

Learn more about the Family Fellowship HERE. 

Blazing Ahead

Since then, Avery has been paying it forward: they serve as a DEI representative, mentor other students, and teach astronomy at Columbus’s Center of Science and Industry (COSI). They’ve also explored international education through language studies in Portuguese and outreach in Brazil and Portugal.

This summer, they are researching cosmic microwave background radiation at the Flatiron Institute in New York City.

We’re honored to walk alongside Avery and all of our Family Fellows as they reach for the stars. 

To support the Family Fellowship program and scholars like Phoenix-Avery, CLICK HERE.