fellows

Meet the 2025 Lewis Latimer Fellows.

What do a trailblazing aviation mentor, a sustainable mining innovator, a global diplomacy changemaker, a tech entrepreneur redefining education, a visionary arts strategist, a carbon removal pioneer, and an esports revolutionizer have in common?

Each is a member of an elite, year-long inclusive innovation program called the Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program, a diverse group representing various backgrounds and perspectives.

The 2025 cohort, supported by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, features Randy Allen, Aaron Fitzgerald, Demetrius D. Harris, Alexandra Maloney, Lauren Ruffin, Titus Walker, Jason Teeters and Cortney Woodruff. Each of these remarkable individuals is pushing the boundaries of innovation—whether in sustainable mining, carbon removal, aviation, global diplomacy, the arts, esports, or education technology. Their work is not only transforming their industries but also creating lasting impact in communities worldwide.


  • Dr. Ranulfo (Randy) Allen is the co-founder and CEO of sustainable mining company, Still Bright. The company is focused on securing the critical minerals driving our world with proper consideration for all stakeholders, enabling domestic production without the potential disastrous effects of traditional mining. Still Bright is starting with copper, the main material needed for the energy transition. Still Bright is able to refine copper using a novel, environmentally-friendly approach that is cheaper and more effective than traditional methods. The startup company is currently scaling up its technology to meet the surging demand for domestic copper.


  • Aaron is a carbon removal entrepreneur. He’s a three-time founder and CEO of Mars Materials. His past experiences also include fellowships with Breakthrough Energy, Prime Coalition and Carbon 180 and a stint in politics working in the United States Senate. As CEO at Mars,  he's motivated by the company's mission to remove and sequester greenhouse gasses into the industrial supply chain. Outside of his work in carbon removal, Aaron provides business mentorship to black women, queer people of color and other underrepresented groups.


  • Demetrius D. Harris is a visionary aviation professional and the dynamic President and Co-Founder of Fly Compton Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives by introducing underserved youth to the boundless opportunities of the aviation industry. 


    A seasoned contract pilot commanding luxurious private jets such as the Gulfstream GIV and Hawker 800XP, Harris’s journey into the skies was sparked by a pivotal middle-aged moment—witnessing two Black pilots in the cockpit of a commercial flight. This powerful encounter ignited his ambition, propelling him from a career as a political consultant into the cockpit, where he now inspires the next generation of aviators.


  • A dynamic force in international affairs, Alexandria J. Maloney is redefining leadership, access, and influence for foreign affairs professionals worldwide. As President of Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA), Director at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, a visiting lecturer at Cornell University Brooks Policy School, and a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, she is leading the charge in shaping global conversations on diplomacy, security, and inclusive leadership.


    As an avid “do-er”, Alexandria believes that the collective agency of humanity should be used to contribute to building the world that we desire. A trained systems thinker, her approach to cultural and organizational change has included inspiration from the arts, sciences, literature, and philosophy. By the age of 32, Alexandria had already been recognized among the “Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent” and named a “Forbes 50 Champion” for Black and Brown communities, marking her as a transformative leader building high-impact ecosystems that educate, empower, and elevate professionals in foreign affairs.


  • Lauren Ruffin (she/her) is Director and Lead Strategist of the Art Program at Michigan Central, a 32 acre innovation campus in the heart of Detroit. She is also a co-founder of CRUX and an Associate Professor of Worldbuilding and Visualizing Futures at Arizona State University. Over the course of her career, she has become a “Jane-of-all-trades” for small and mid-sized enterprises in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. The hallmark of her work is a willingness to take calculated risks, an interest in scaling businesses using innovative organizational mechanisms, and her ability to secure capital for  projects from non-traditional sources. 


    Her work at ASU explores the unprecedented and rapid political and social changes taking place in every facet of our lives, largely due to advances in technology. Her research centers on the best practices organizations and companies should embed to ensure that their platforms are safe, equitable, profitable, and joyful for all users, and particularly users from Black and Indigenous, disabled, and queer communities.


  • Jason Teeters is a visionary innovator, emergent strategist, and founder of Jet Set State (JSS), a company at the forefront of reshaping leadership and organizational design for the modern world. With a deep focus on breaking silos, navigating uncertainty, and driving performance through people-first innovation, Jason helps organizations bridge bold ideas with real-world impact.


    Through JSS, Jason has partnered with global institutions like The Rockefeller Foundation, the United Nations, Movember, and the Centers for Disease Control, guiding them in turning strategic vision into scalable, actionable solutions. His immersive leadership experiences challenge outdated structures, equipping leaders with the tools to foster agility, drive sustainable innovation, and build resilient cultures.


  • Titus Walker is the visionary CEO of the Ultimate Endgamers League (UEL), a trailblazing esports organization he founded in 2019, which is swiftly redefining the global gaming landscape. Under his leadership, the UEL has celebrated 8 thrilling seasons, captivating over a million viewers each season and distributing over $1,000,000 in prizes. With a mission to cultivate a vast, inclusive gaming community, the UEL integrates 33 diverse games, catering to a spectrum of gamers, from the casual enthusiast to the competitive professional. The league is distinctively known for its commitment to diversity and its dedication to the 99% of gamers outside the top 1% skill level, promoting both console and PC gaming excellence. As a recognized leader in esports, Titus has forged impactful partnerships with entities like the NBA Draft Party, Philadelphia Eagles, and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Looking ahead, Titus aims to expand UEL’s reach and impact, continuously adapting to the evolving esports environment and strengthening its position as the largest premier, multi-game esports league.


  • Cortney Woodruff is an influential American tech investor and entrepreneur, serving as CEO of www.Assemble.FYI and co-founding both Assemble and the nonprofit BGreatTogether.org, along with Docucourse.org. A graduate of Alabama A&M (2010) with early academic pursuits at IESE Business School in Barcelona at 22, he embodies a global outlook in his mission to make education inclusive and impactful. His work is dedicated to supporting underserved communities and promoting educational equality.


    Having lived in over 10 cities worldwide, Woodruff's efforts aim to normalize success within the Black community. Currently residing in Los Angeles, his endeavors span tech, finance, and education, making significant strides towards fostering change and Empowerment.

Ready to Apply?

The Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program can change your life.