How Hurricane Katrina Sparked A Career In Engineering And An Inspiring Children’s Book Series

When New Orleans native and entrepreneur Courtney Kelly was growing up, she dreamt of one day changing into a veterinarian. But when Hurricane Katrina ravaged her hometown, the storm altered the course of her life in a manner she never expected. Witnessing the devastation and rebuilding of her hometown planted a seed for a deeper calling: strengthening communities through engineering.

In pursuit of her goals, Kelly earned a degree in civil engineering and arithmetic from Southern Methodist University. She later added a grasp’s in civil engineering with a structural focus and an MBA from Lamar University. She went on to become a licensed skilled engineer in Texas and had a thriving profession working on main civil infrastructure and construction management tasks, including airports (such as DFW International and Dallas Love Field), highways, and municipal developments.  The engineering graduate also stepped into schooling as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, SMU, instructing high quality management to the next era of builders.

Despite a flourishing engineering profession, Kelly felt the tug of another objective—storytelling. She knew firsthand how highly effective illustration could be, particularly in fields like STEM, where Black women and women of coloration stay underrepresented. She envisioned a world where younger readers could see themselves as problem-solvers, innovators, and neighborhood builders. That imaginative and prescient was materialized through the creation of Courtney Kelly Books, a kids’s publishing model rooted in empowerment and schooling.

Her debut title, Celeste Saves the City, launched in 2022, launched readers to the character Celeste, a curious and brave younger lady impressed by Kelly’s own journey. Through Celeste, Kelly breaks down civil engineering ideas into easy-to-understand narratives that spark creativeness while instructing real-world problem-solving. The writer expanded the collection in 2024 with Celeste Tunnels Underground, broadening its instructional attain while holding illustration at its core. Both books are now out there in a number of languages (French, German, and Spanish) and codecs, increasing their accessibility. In addition to her books, Kelly also sells merchandise that empowers future engineers, from notebooks to stationary and drinkware.

What began as a ardour project quicklyrel=”tag”>Books Entrepreneurship WeLoveUs

The post How Hurricane Katrina Sparked A Career In Engineering And An Inspiring Children’s Book Series appeared first on Essence.