Adinawa Adjagbodjou was born in Cotonou, Benin and immigrated to the United States with her family, and grew up in Dallas, Texas. She attended Harvard College and graduated with a Bachelors in Economics and Computer Science, and enjoyed taking courses in the African and African American Studies department. During college, she had the opportunity to experience a transformative semester abroad in Paris, France.
Throughout her academic journey at Harvard, Adinawa took opportunities to think critically about the development of nations such as her own, through the lens of technology, economics, and the rippling effects of colonial political power and oppression. This work and her engagement with the youth in the African community during her time in Paris helped shape her desire for community-focused and -designed solutions. She merged this new direction with her love for Human Centered Computing and Design and its potential for innovative and sustainably impactful change.
This passion led her to further entangle myself in the world of interactive and user centered design and because of it, she has had the opportunity to research and develop tools that make technology more interactive and equitable. This past year, she had the opportunity to develop QuVis, a novel visualization platform for quantum circuit composition, exploration, and analysis for those being introduced to the world of quantum computing. Furthermore, she had the opportunity to work with peers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop a set of guidelines which can be followed or implemented in industry and academia that places Critical Race Theory at the forefront of AI technology development and deployment.
Adinawa is now continuing her graduate studies in Human-Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University, where she is pursuing a PhD in Computer Science. Her current project focuses on how innovative futures that center the needs of Black people can be created with their involvement and combines community design with local partners and activists. She believes that teaching is one of the best ways to share your passion with any community that you care about; she volunteers in the Digital Literacy Program teaching students Roxbury middle schools computer and coding skills on a weekly basis. This program is a continuation of her commitment to empowering black youth and black women in their pursuit of STEM. In her future work, she hopes to continue her work on understanding how public artificial intelligence algorithms affect the daily lives of marginalized individuals, ranging from health outcomes, to education, and safety and well-being.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
