Dear Biomechanics Community,
We are excited to invite you to participate in the 2nd cohort of the Empowerment in Motion Mentoring Program (EMMP), a collaborative initiative between the Black Biomechanists Association (BBA), Latinx in Biomechanix (LiB), and International Women in Biomechanics (IWB).
The mission of the EMMP is to elevate and empower underrepresented scholars by providing pathways to opportunities in Biomechanics.
Program Overview
Our program is designed to pair BBA, IWB, and LiB members (mentees) with senior biomechanists (mentors) from diverse backgrounds. Through regular interactions and a structured program, we seek to encourage meaningful exchanges between mentors and mentees within the biomechanics community to foster:
Networking
Career advice and navigation
Research collaboration
Increased awareness of resources
Professional development opportunities
Program Expectations
Must be a member of BBA (free), LiB (free), or IWB ($5 Trainee/Supporter/Ally; $10 Professional)
Must commit to participating in the mentoring program for the full academic year
Must maintain monthly contact with their match via phone, email, video call, etc
Must attend at least one professional development workshop related to mentorship (for mentors) or academics/career (for mentees), through our events or approved external events
At the conclusion of the program year, mentors and mentees will be asked to provide feedback on their EMMP experience.
EMMP’s First Year at a Glance
In its first year (Fall 2024 - Summer 2025), the EMMP connected 61 mentors and mentees, held over 130 mentoring meetings, and achieved an average mentor match experience rating of 4.2/5. Alongside interactive workshops and international conference participation, the program celebrated outstanding contributions through its Mentor, Mentee, and Match of the Year Awards, highlighting the impact of strong, committed mentoring relationships and setting the stage for future cohorts.
Program Launch and Orientation
We are launching the program in Fall of 2025 and expect it to culminate during conference season in the Summer of 2026. Our launch event will take place virtually on Friday, November 14th!
Join us!
If you are interested in serving as a mentor or mentee (or both!), please complete this form by 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, November 5th. Applications submitted after this deadline will be placed on a wait list for matching, but can still participate in EMMP activities for the upcoming year.
We look forward to welcoming you to another year of this exciting initiative! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Active membership in at least one of the three organizations is required for participation, but we want to emphasize that allies are an essential part of our community. Even if someone doesn’t personally identify with the groups represented by these organizations, their presence, advocacy, and support play a crucial role in advancing our shared mission of inclusion and representation.
Best regards,
The EMMP Team
Empowerment in Motion Mentoring Program
blackbiomechanics.mentoring@gmail.com