Chemistry Meets Couture: Aalliyeh Clinton Is Redefining STEM Safety and Style
Authored by: Alicea Gay, Vice President of External Affairs & Certification ByBlack Feature | USBC x DuGhood Foundation Microgrant Winner Highlight
When Aalliyeh Clinton pitched her business at the 2025 Durag Fest’s Pop Up & Pitch Microgrant Competition, she wasn’t just presenting a product, she was introducing a movement. As the winner of the competition, presented by ByBlack and powered by the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) and the DuGhood Foundation, Clinton made it clear that Monneah’s Engineered Materials is on a mission to reshape how we see science, safety, and self-expression.
Her business was born from personal hardship. As a young Black woman in STEM internships, Clinton often found herself alone, overlooked, and unsupported. “I didn’t feel seen, or supported,” she recalls. Instead of waiting for acceptance, she created a space where she and others like her could thrive. With a passion for both science and fashion, she fused her two worlds into one vision: protective lab gear that is functional, inclusive, and stylish.
That duality of being a chemist and fashionista has been central to her identity since middle school. Whether she was crafting experiments or curating outfits, Clinton was always drawn to the intersection of intellect and creativity. It’s no surprise that she envisioned a brand that reflects both.
Monneah’s Engineered Materials is guided by three core values: Efficient Protection, Elevated Comfort, and Exclusive Fashion. These principles show up in everything from the design of their PPE to the youth programming they support. “Our motto, Evolve, Empower, Encourage…, isn’t just branding. It’s a promise that everyone deserves to feel confident and protected in any space.”
Clinton identified a clear gap in the personal protective equipment (PPE) market. Traditional lab coats often lack proper chemical resistance, are uncomfortable, and fail to serve a wide range of body types. Her company addresses these issues with gear that is safe, comfortable, and made for real people. “I know what it feels like to be unsafe and unseen. I never want another scientist to experience that.”
Of course, the road hasn’t been easy. Clinton has faced racism, sexism, and ableism in both STEM and entrepreneurship. “These environments aren’t always built to include people like me,” she says. But she credits her resilience to finding a strong support system, people who shared their struggles, not just their successes. That sense of connection gave her the strength to push forward.
Among her proudest achievements are the moments when other scientists see themselves in her products and can’t wait to support her. “That validation means everything,” she says. “And being able to show young people in my community that they can lead, create, and innovate that’s just as meaningful.”
After three years of building, Clinton has much to celebrate. Her company is now trademarked, patent-pending, and backed by early adopters who believe in her vision. She’s won five awards and raised over $50,000 in non-dilutive funding. With pilot programs in the works and a full launch on the horizon, her brand is gaining momentum.
When people interact with Monneah’s Engineered Materials, Clinton wants them to feel encouraged, evolved , and empowered. “Whether you’re a student, lab tech, or professor, our gear was made with you in mind. You don’t have to choose between functionality and identity.”
Looking ahead, Clinton is focused on growth, partnerships, and building a lasting legacy. “I want to leave behind a world where the next generation doesn’t have to fight to be included they’ll already have the tools, the representation, and the community to thrive.”
In a field that often overlooks individuality, Aalliyeh Clinton is making space for it. And through Monneah’s Engineered Materials, she’s proving that science and style are stronger together.
