What does it mean to be a Southernite?
To be a Southernite is to Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. Imitation is suicide. Marva Collins
Kenyata's Bio:
Ms. Kenyata Fountain was born on February 1, 1988, in Bellflower, California. Her parents are Karey Deon Ebbs Sr. and Carla Yvonne Ebbs. She is a first generation student that traveled from Jacksonville, North Carolina to attend Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor of Science (2012) in Computer Science, Scientific Option. During her undergraduate years at Southern University she is the founding president of the Robotics club in the Computer Science Department under the Chairman and Professor Dr. Ebrahim Khosravi. The Robotics Club has been sponsored by NSA, Received 2nd Place at Lafayette Science Convention, and attended the SC10 Master Computing Conference in New Orleans under her Presidency. After Graduating Ms. Fountain continued advanced studies at Cappella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, earning a Master with Distinction (4.0. GPA) in Information Assurance and Security Specialization in Network Defense (2017). After completing her master she decided to pursue her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Science Math and Education with a concentration in Technology.
Currently, Kenyata Fountain is the Computer and Electronic Systems Manager at The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ms. Fountain is the youngest and the first African American woman to start her management career at the age of thirty at the Baton Rouge Airport since est. 1936. She is also 1 out of 3 Women in STEM to hold an Information Technology Managers Position in Aviation. Ms. Fountain worked her way up from being the first female Intern and Computer Electronic Technician under her mentor and former manager Gregory Pierson. During her professional career she has overseen multiple projects at the Baton Rouge Airport. She is the only technician at the airport to receive a certificate of appreciation from the White House when Vice President Joe Biden and Barack Obama visited Baton Rouge during the Big Flood. She also had the opportunity to become the first airport administrator to receive training in Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team with the U.S Department of Homeland Security in Idaho Springs (2017). Even through her travels and success she has always made time for the youth in the Baton Rouge Community. She taught coding to youth on my spare time with The Walls Project/ Future Funds. That opportunity pushed her to join the Southern University Alumni Federation Home Chapter to find ways to help youth during their transitional pre and post-commencement. As a member Mrs. Fountain founded the Home Chapter-Southern University Young Alumni as the Young Alumni & Chapter Image Liaison Director. Her goal was to build a strong network among SU Young Alumni to encourage lifetime support post commencement. Before leaving the position she designed flyers and logos for the Home Chapter, Networked to receive a multitude of water for freshman move- in, Southern University Marching Band and Scotlandville High School. She also designed the First Southern University Coloring Book and hosted a Coloring and Cocoa Event in Boley Hall.
Ms. Fountain is a Lifetime Member of the Southern University Alumni Federation and serves as the Second Vice President for the Home Chapter appointed by President Michelle Jones, Member Order of the Eastern Star ASHA Chapter #1132, and Safari Club Member of the Baton Rouge Zoo. Lastly, Kenyata Fountain want to dedicate this award to her Parents, Family, Designee and Friends, “Because of your faith in her she is up here today accepting 40 Under Forty 2019 Cohort Deux Award.