Hi, I'm Ky the Chemist

My name is Jakyra Simpson , also known as Ky the Chemist and The Sneaker Chemist,  I’ve always admired science communicators like Bill Nye the Science guy, Hip Hop MD, Raven the Science Maven,  and Emily Caladrelli. They made science feel approachable-and now, i’m proud to do the same, in a way that’s rooted in authenticity, creativty, and culture.  

As a chemist, artist, and science communicator, my specialty is chemistry, but I use STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) to bring learning to life through sneaker culture. By blending science with creativity, design, fashion, and self-expression, I help students see chemistry beyond textbooks and classrooms. Sneakers become powerful tools to explore materials science, engineering, innovation, and artistic creativity all at once.

The work I do is about more than sneakers—it’s about representation, confidence, and helping students recognize their own potential. I believe all young people deserve to see themselves as scientists, creators, innovators, and leaders right now, not just in the future. By centering students’ interests, identities, and lived experiences, I create learning environments that spark curiosity, creativity, and self-belief.

My mission is to inspire the next generation to build, create, and shape their own futures unapologetically and authentically. Through STEAM Sneakerheadz™, I’m showing students that science and culture do not have to exist separately. When creativity, culture, and chemistry collide, that’s when the real magic happens.