Rotary DTLA - Dr. Betty Walker

Dr. Bettye Davis Walker is an internationally renowned educational innovator, former university professor and researcher who has worked with students in Europe, West Africa, and presently in South Africa. Dr. Walker was an Assistant Professor at Howard University and Visiting Professor at Dillon College in Montana, the University of Arkansas, and Cal Poly Pomona.

Dr. Walker has been performing mission work in South Africa since 1998 at the invitation of President Nelson Mandela when he met her and her scientist husband, Hal. She and Hal started promoting science and technology in the township schools in Pretoria and Johannesburg and have been expanding in Cape Town since 2000.

Dr. Walker has been a Rotary club member since 1996 and represented the Inglewood Rotary Club in developing partnerships with Rotary clubs in Cape Town and coordinated the establishment of a dozen state-of-the art computer literacy labs in township schools in Cape Town and Pretoria. She conducts teacher training and implements astronomy clubs in government schools.

As the Co-founder of A-MAN, Inc. in Los Angeles as well as having the A-MAN, Inc. South Africa non-profit established, she travels to South Africa annually and sends much needed school supplies. One of the high school young women from a township that Dr. Walker has mentored and trained to be selected to attend JPL/NASA, graduated from the University of the Western Cape with honors and a major in Applied Geology.

A-MAN, Inc. is an outgrowth of B-MAP, an educational research grant funded by UCLA that she developed and directed, which was the first of its kind. The B-MAP (Black Male Achievement Project) received national recognition. The A-MAN, Inc. STEM International Science Center promotes hands-on science activities and project development for girls and boys ages 5-18 and also assists them to enter college and graduate. The A-MAN, Inc. Center has graduated over 10,000 students from universities and colleges in the U.S. and abroad. Programs are scheduled after school, on weekends, and during the summer. The A-MAN, Inc. held its 25th Anniversary Tom Bradley Dinner in 2016, which was a major milestone.

Dr. Walker has received the International STEM Educator Award, 2014-15; Medal of Honor named for President Nelson Mandela, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2014; Women’s International Award, 2013; Soroptimist Youth Science Community Service Award, 2014; Mother of the Year Award, Belizean Community, 2013; Citizen of the Year Award, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 2012 and a host of others for giving back and outstanding community service.

She is a board member of the Oasis Chapter of the National Space Society, Advisory board member of the International Society of Black Latinos, Lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Los Angeles Silhouettes, member of the Holman Church Double Ring Club, In His Steps Liturgical Dance Captain, United Methodist Women and Holman Friday Morning Prayer Group.

Dr. Walker received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of the District of Columbia while simultaneously completing a major in music from Howard University, a Master’s Degree from Chapman University, and a Doctorate Degree from Western Colorado University.