About Saki Milton
Saki Milton is an award-winning educator, nonprofit founder, and national voice for equity in STEM. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA in Marketing from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business, where she was honored as a Cox Distinguished Business Leader and trained at the Walt Disney World Leadership Institute. After a successful corporate career with Texas Instruments and Kaplan Learning Centers, she returned to her calling in education. Teaching mathematics in underserved schools, she saw talented girls withdraw from STEM—not from lack of ability, but from lack of opportunity. That realization became the spark for her life’s work.
In 2010, Saki founded The GEMS Camp (Girls Interested in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science) to close gaps in representation and confidence for Black and Brown girls. What began with just $1,000 has grown into a nationally recognized movement serving over 1,500 girls, with alumni excelling in college and STEM careers. Under her leadership, GEMS earned the 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring—the nation’s highest honor for STEM mentorship. That same year, she was named one of only five finalists in United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’s prestigious The Pitch, winning the Innovation Award for her bold vision to scale GEMS through curriculum licensing.
Her expertise and impact have been featured by Forbes, Ebony, NBC, ABC, Voyage Dallas, Gulf News, Mother Baby & Child, and more. She has delivered talks on global stages, from TEDxYouth in the UAE to national summits on women and girls in STEM, where she elevates the conversation on equity, leadership, and community-rooted solutions.
Today, Saki is a Ph.D. candidate at Southern Methodist University, focusing on informal STEM learning communities for girls of color. Beyond her professional achievements, she values time with her family and friends, and invests deeply as a mentor and volunteer in her community. Whether in the classroom, at a podium, or around the table, she lives out her belief that when one girl rises, her family, her community, and her future rise with her.
First Pour → Beginnings / Possibility
Raising Up Global STEM Girls | TEDxYouth@SAIS
May 2017 | Sharjah, UAE
In this TedXyouth talk at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Saki acknowledges the overlooked factor in STEM Education for girls - solid professional networks. She shares an inspiring and powerful vision of what it would look like if girls started building their professional networks early, connecting with girls globally.
NBCDFW Texas Today – Building STEM Confidence
June 2024| Dallas, TX
In this interview, Saki shared her GEMS' origin story on Dallas' NBC Texas Today show in June 2024. This engaging conversation captures Saki's passion for the organization's mission of building confidence in teen girls who choose to pursue advanced studies and careers in STEM fields through the 5 Karat Gem Framework.
Bold Brews → Bold Action / Change
United Way of Metropolitan of Dallas 2025 Pitch
Competition
April 2025 | Dallas, TX
As part of the United Way's Social Innovation Accelerator, Saki delivers a dynamic 5-minute pitch on scaling her nonprofit - The GEMS Camp - across American university campuses. As one of five finalist to compete, Saki took away $70,000 total and won the coveted prize of the Innovation Award in the amount of $20,000! (Starts at 01:02:30)
2022 Summit Opening We are our Ancestors' Wildest
Dream
December 2022 | Virtual
As a featured panelist at the 2022 Texas Women & Girls in STEM Summit, Saki elevated the conversation on racial and gender equity in STEM by sharing her expertise on designing culturally relevant, sustainable pathways that humanize and empower Black and Brown girls in science and mathematics.
2023 Summit Opening: We are STILL our Ancestors' Wildest Dream
December 2023 | Virtual
Saki returned as a featured panelist at the 2023 summit to build on the prior year’s dialogue, offering fresh perspective on how Black women leaders are navigating today’s politicized educational climate while pioneering innovative, community-rooted approaches to expand STEM access and belonging for girls.
Six STEM Influencers Helping To Bridge The Gap For Blacks, Hispanics And Women
July 30, 2021 | Forbes
Featured among six national STEM influencers, Saki is recognized for creating innovative, culturally relevant programs that immerse girls of color in challenging STEM concepts, global travel experiences, and leadership development, helping to close opportunity gaps and diversify the STEM workforce.
Recorded Interviews
Featured Articles
Six STEM Influencers Helping To Bridge The Gap For Blacks, Hispanics And Women
Jul 30, 2021 | FORBES
Featured among six national STEM influencers, Saki Milton—founder and executive director of The GEMS Camp—is recognized for creating innovative, culturally relevant programs that immerse girls of color in challenging STEM concepts, global travel experiences, and leadership development, helping to close opportunity gaps and diversify the future STEM workforce.
Mommy Factor Blog: Saki Milton Interview for STEM Plant-based Bug Repellents
September 21, 2023 | Virtual
“Kids start loving science when they actually do science—right at home and in nature.” In this InterLife interview, Saki shares how everyday exploration and her partnership with STEM™ bug-fighting products inspire curiosity and open doors to STEM careers for children.
STEM Education Program: How to Encourage Students to Choose Stem Strand
September 1, 2023 | Ebony Magazine
In her Ebony Magazine interview, Saki emphasizes the importance of sparking children’s curiosity early through hands-on, everyday experiments—turning nature walks, kitchen activities, and simple projects into gateways for lifelong interest and careers in STEM.
UAE School Leaders Defend Stand on Mobile Phones
September 10, 2018 | Gulf News
In this article, Saki contributes her thoughts regarding new teaching practices versus traditional teaching practices. She discusses how students today must be prepared for the workforce of tomorrow; therefore, methods for teaching, learning and assessing must support them going forward
Old Methods Must Make Way for New
October 18, 2018 | Gulf News
In this opinion piece, Saki responds to France’s new decision to ban student cell phone use in schools. It’s not ALL bad! Cell phones can be beneficial in school environments, and adults must lead the way.
The Benefits of STEM Education for Children
November 21, 2018 | Mother, Baby, and Child magazine
In this article, Saki shares her thoughts regarding STEM in early childhood education. In particular, what can parents do to foster a love for math and science in children at a young age?