By Alliance Intern Hannah Ferrell from Portland State University
In celebration of Black History Month, we’ve interviewed Ymbar I. Polanco Pino, an Afro Latino American who is making strides in the field of sustainability, justice and advocacy. Ymbar is a Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD student, GEM Fellow and Provost Leadership Fellow at Tufts University.
I wanted to interview Ymbar because he’s an inspiring, dynamic individual who explores the intersections of people, place, faith, Black identity, environment and justice through art, education and activism. I first discovered him on TikTok and then read about him on LinkedIn, where I began to follow him.
The journey toward a better world isn’t just about innovation — it’s about honoring the past, understanding our identities and pushing forward with purpose. For this individual, the drive to make the planet better, not just for humans but for all living things, stems from a deep respect for the environment and the interconnectedness of life.
Raised in a family rich in affection and passion, he’s aware of the privilege that comes with his upbringing, particularly with parents who instilled in him a sense of purpose rooted in justice and love. Born of Venezuelan and Trinidad heritage, Ymbar, like many mixed individuals, struggled with identity.
He always found himself in that “other” category. But that has been a defining force in his life. Now he says boldly, yet humbly, that he is a man of confidence, passion, drive and deep faith. Here are his responses to my questions.
HF: How did your journey get you to your PhD program?
YPP: The journey to my PhD is wild. I started in mechanical aerospace engineering, and despite not coming from a privileged background, I felt grateful for the opportunities ahead. I wasn’t involved in STEM clubs, but I was good at math, so I aimed high, setting my sights on NASA or MIT.
Years later, I’d check off both. When I got to MIT, I was terrified — not because I didn’t belong, but because I didn’t want my success to separate me from God or let pride take over. I saw my role as a blessing and wanted to stay grounded.
Conversations about science and faith led me to realize that everything in life, like math or gravity, is about relationships, balancing forces and finding a center. In the summer of 2021, I prayed for guidance. I questioned whether I should continue with aerospace or follow a different path.
Talking with mentors, I realized I wanted something that blended my love for engineering, the arts and how people learn. One mentor suggested STEM education, and I thought, “Could music fit in there?”
That led me to connect with a professor from Tufts who also had a passion for engineering and education. When I shared my wild idea of creating a hip-hop album as part of my dissertation, she said, “Why not?” And that’s when I knew I was on the right track.
HF: How has your perspective on the world and your work evolved over time, and where does the fuel for you to occupy so many spaces come from?
YPP: These are individuals who definitely change how a lot of people see the world, what love is, but also what humbled confidence is — not in a way that hides your identity, but in a way that says, ‘I’m here, I’m taking up space, and I’m making more space.’
So, it’s different aspects of that, but it’s something that, yeah, it gives me the energy to do what I do, because it’s very difficult work. You’re dealing with very hard things every day. I think, in theory, it’s easy to say, “Here’s the problem, here’s the solution, and here’s how we can adjust policy,” but when you’re really hands-on and boots on the ground, this is very, very difficult work.
And this is just in the sense of the families and the real-life struggles that go on daily. That’s something I really struggled with at first, which is why I chose not to fully go into this at first. I grew up with a lot of these ideas and thought, ‘“Man, that human aspect is too much.”’ You need a different kind of patience and a different kind of perseverance to work every single day in this field.
I knew I wanted to do rocket science. I knew I was capable of it — I just felt that I could do it. And then, next thing you know, I’m doing this, that, and the other, and I get to MIT, and I realize that what drives all of this is still people.
It’s still rational. There’s no point in having a satellite collecting all this data on Earth if there aren’t people here. The only reason this planet is worth saving is because there are people on it. And, at its most honest sense, that’s the truth.
If we weren’t here, this would just be another rock floating around. But we give it purpose, and we are the purpose. Doing this work every day was something I struggled with in undergrad, and I was like, “You know, why am I only in this field?” I wanted to bridge other things.
HF: Do you think there are aspects of Black culture or the Black community that might need to shift in order for more people to fully engage in spaces like this? It seems like there’s often a barrier, and I wonder if some of it comes from internal biases or self-imposed limitations. From your experience, what aspects of Black culture do you think might need to change to encourage more involvement in these fields? One thing that stands out to me is how we view role models — what cultural factors influence who we look up to and why?
YPP: The challenges I’m talking about — especially in fields like STEM — are partly about how we view these spaces and who we think belongs in them. There are systemic barriers that affect how we perceive engineers and mathematicians, and whether these fields seem accessible or “cool” to us. My hope is that myself, my colleagues, and others in these spaces can show that STEM is still relevant, exciting, and authentic.
One example that comes to mind is Larry June, a Bay Area artist. While I don’t agree with all his lyrics, I admire how he makes things like being a single father or starting his day with juice look cool. It’s not about glorifying harmful behaviors, but about showing how you can hustle, aim for excellence, and stay true to yourself. This mindset should be more prominent in our community.
I believe the arts and entertainment industries, where Black culture is a global influence, could also benefit from promoting well-being and professional success. If we shift the perception of what success looks like — especially in fields like engineering and science — we could spark interest in these careers. It’s important to show that you can be in these fields and still make them your own, without conforming to the stereotypical white norms.
By telling stories that resonate culturally, we can help people see themselves in spaces they never thought possible. This shift in perception can be revolutionary. Imagine if it was normal for us to say, “Our family is great at math, we can do this.” Overcoming fear and embracing challenging careers would no longer feel impossible.
HF: What advice would you give to young Black students — whether in middle school or high school — who are interested in fields like STEM but may feel like these spaces aren’t made for them? How can we motivate these students, as well as their parents and communities, to embrace their true identities, pursue these fields, and develop a love for learning about the world around them?
YPP: You belong in these spaces, whether you’re an engineer, artist, activist, or anything else. This space needs you. My advice is to never hide who you are or what makes you valuable. If you’re outspoken, stay loud and disruptive. Don’t try to shrink yourself or put on a mask to fit in.
For me, staying disruptive means staying grounded in my faith. I submit my plans and ideas to God and approach everything thoughtfully. I’m intentional about the steps I take, how I solve problems, and how I approach new projects.
Wisdom comes from seeking advice, so have conversations, reach out to others, and don’t take rejection personally. If the door isn’t open, find a way to get in — kick it down if you have to.
You don’t need permission to pursue your dreams. Our ancestors didn’t wait for permission, and neither should we. That’s my encouragement: stay true to yourself, stay disruptive, and don’t be afraid to take bold steps.
Conclusion
As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s important to honor not only the figures who fought for our freedoms in the past but also the living examples of excellence and resilience shaping our future. Ymbar stands out as a testament to the integrity, humility, kindness, and joy that are integral to black culture.
His presence and work reflect the richness and depth of what it means to be a Black individual in today’s world. As we continue to redefine what it means to be Black, especially as a Black man, we are reminded that there are countless layers of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control within us. Here’s to celebrating the present and the future, and to all who continue to uplift and inspire. Happy Black History Month!
While we wait for the future Dr. Ymbar I. Polanco Pino’s thesis hip hop album to drop, here’s the link to a little playlist the multimodal artist and educator is vibing to this month.