Destiny Harris
2023 Parity Project Innovation Challenge Winner
Project: Application Bias Eraser
“Have fun with it and learn something new.”
Hi, Destiny! Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m a junior at Benedict College. My major is business administration with a concentration in management, and I recently just added a minor in accounting. I’m 19 years old.
Some of the things I like to do are listen to music, hang out with my family, and just relax and chill.
Tell us the pitch for your 2024 Parity Project Innovation Challenge submission.
My Parity Project submission was based on when you apply for a job. Basically, making it so the racial guidelines when you apply for a job are not involved, and your employer is just choosing the best candidate for the job.
It uses AI, and your employer puts in what the parameters are and what qualities they want for the person for the job. Then it shows you the best applicant for a job, regardless of race. For example, sometimes your name gives away your race. Regardless of any of that, they just give you the best applicant for the job.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to graduate first. That’s my first plan. And then get into a job where I can better myself. Eventually my plan will be to start renovating houses. I’ll refurbish them and resell them.
Why should someone do the Parity Project Innovation Challenge?
You should do the Parity Project Challenge because you should want equality for all. I think this is a great opportunity to get new ideas on how we can get better equality for all and let other people see what you’re thinking and how we can implement equality.
What does parity mean to you?
Parity means everybody has an equal playing field. For me, I feel like everybody should start the race at the same place, so that’s what parity means to me.
Why is STEM important to you?
STEM is important to me because the world is moving very fast, especially with technology. You can see how things have changed dramatically compared to when our parents were growing up. So, I think in order for the world to continue to change, STEM is going to be required.
Who is a mentor or someone who inspires you?
My parents. They were very young when they had my oldest sister and they started out basically with just themselves. Now they own their own businesses and run their own businesses. So growing up and seeing how they accomplish everything they do still to this day, they inspire me and they’re the best mentors I think I’ve had since I was a little child.
Do you have advice for someone working on their Parity Project idea?
Don’t overthink it. I mean, think definitely about what you want the project to say, but don’t overthink it to the point that you’re so stressed out. You don’t know if you don’t try. In the words of my mom, “Nothing and nothing leaves nothing.” So just don’t overthink it and let it just happen. If it happens, it happens. If it don’t, it don’t—and you can try again next year.
I hope whoever else does the Parity Project has fun with it. I had fun when it came to doing the challenge and then passing each level to get to becoming a winner.
Open your mind and do the research about different things. I encourage you to have fun with it and learn something new.