Celebrating TBEN Women - Nyamekye Asare

Nyamekye Asare

Why did you pursue a career in economics and your particular field?
I saw people talking about economics on the news, that piqued my interest and I wanted to learn more about that.

What real-life economic impact have you had with your work? 
The Canadian economics profession has for the most part excluded Black people and that includes when it comes to formulating policy. I would wish in the future that this would change.

What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was the lack of support that I had from my PhD advisors. I saw that they were more supportive of my non-Black colleagues. I was fortunate to be a member of The Black Economists Network. They are a great place of support for recent graduates and I received so much support from them.

What is your current assessment of diversity in economics? Has this changed from when you first started? 
There is still an underrepresentation of Black women in the Canadian economics profession. In the US and UK, there is a discussion, but in Canada not so much. There are too many performative gestures and no substantive change. I do think that the lack of representation continues to be ignored. It has not changed from when I first started and so far I have not seen any signs that it will change in the future. I do hope that it will.

What advice would you give to black female economists looking to progress in the field? 
My advice would be to be members of The Black Economists Network. Join the membership when you are even undergrads. Remember, anti-Black racism can come from both white professors and non-Black professors of colour. If you are a graduate student, make sure that the professors you are asking to be your advisor are allies and have your best interests at heart. Otherwise, it can be problematic for you.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself!
I love Marvel and DC comics, exercising, and reading.