BlackinChem

BlackInChem is an organization which aims to highlight and amplify Black voices in the chemical sciences, and to increase the visibility of Black chemists, who face unique challenges in navigating academia.[1] The organization was created as a response to Black Birders Week. The inaugural event ran from August 10 - 15, 2020.

BlackInChem
BlackInChem
Part of George Floyd protests, Black Lives Matter
DateAugust 10, 2020
Location
Worldwide
MethodsDirect action

Origins

The initiative was part of a cluster of initiatives, including #BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackinNeuro, #BlackinAstro, #BlackinData, #BlackinGeoscience, #BlackinMicro, and others, prompted in part by the Central Park birdwatching incident and episodes of killings and police brutality against Black Americans such as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.[2][3][4]

According to co-founder Ayanna Jones, the goal of the initiative is "for Black chemists at all stages of their careers to network and to encourage one another along a journey that no one should have to undergo alone".[5] Black people have historically been excluded from academic and professional spaces and lack visibility and representation in the physical sciences community and among chemists in particular.

#BlackChemistsWeek 2020

The week-long event was conceived and organized by members of a group of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals and students. Key people included; Devin Swiner, Samantha Theresa Mensah, Ashley Walker, Kathleen Muloma-Rink, Ayanna Jones, Natérica das Neves Rodrigues Lopes, and Heidi Nelson-Quillin.[6][7]

The inaugural event series ran from August 10 - 15, 2020, using the #BlackChemistsWeek hashtag on Twitter. Through these events and others, the series highlighted research carried out by Black chemists, and the racism and other hurdles experienced.[8] The week was themed around several different areas of chemistry, including analytical, biological, inorganic, organic and physical.[9] The week drew attention from several Black celebrities, including MC Hammer.[10]

Impact and legacy

BlackInChem week was covered by the Royal Society of Chemistry,[11][12] Chemical & Engineering News,[13][14] USA Today,[15] and Chemistry World.[16] In response to the 2020 series, the University of California, Los Angeles launched a campaign to raise $100,000 in order to support a lectureship and fellowships for Black scholars.[17] The organizers intend to continue the series in future years.[2] [18] The #BlackinX movements were recognized by the journal Science as a finalist for 2020 Breakthrough of the Year.[19]

References
  1. Sloan, Marisa (2020-08-25). "#BlackinChem breaks down barriers". cen.acs.org. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  2. Sloat, Sarah. "Black Birders Week responds to racism with a celebration of Black naturalists". Inverse. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  3. Froelich, Paula (June 6, 2020). "Viral video of Central Park 'Karen' Amy Cooper spawns #BlackBirdersWeek". New York Post. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  4. Qaiser, Farah. "#BlackBirdersWeek highlights Black nature enthusiasts and scientists". Massive Science. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  5. Swiner, Devin. "Being #BlackinChem". Chemistry World.
  6. Beyene, Abraham; Panescu, Priera (2020). "A Community for Black Chemists". Nature Chemistry. Nature Publishing Group. 12 (11): 988–989. Bibcode:2020NatCh..12..988B. doi:10.1038/s41557-020-00572-3. PMID 33093674. S2CID 224827322.
  7. Pichon, Anne (2020). "Calling All Black Chemists". Nature Chemistry. 12 (11): 977–979. Bibcode:2020NatCh..12..977P. doi:10.1038/s41557-020-00571-4. PMID 33093676. S2CID 224827166.
  8. Thompson, Andrea. "Black Birders Call Out Racism, Say Nature Should Be For Everyone". Scientific American. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  9. "#BlackInChemWeek – Black In Chem". Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  10. Amsen, Ana (Aug 12, 2020). "How MC Hammer And Other Performing Artists Are Sharing Their Love Of Science". Forbes.com.
  11. "#BlackinChem part 1: #BlackinChem week". Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  12. "#BlackinChem part 3: Looking to the future". Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  13. Heemstra, Jen (2020-08-13). "Faculty, this is our time to be students". cen.acs.org. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  14. "#BlackinChem breaks down barriers". cen.acs.org. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  15. Mallenbaum, Carly. "#BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackInNeuro: Black scientists, physicians are using hashtags to uplift". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  16. Krämer2020-08-10T16:56:00+01:00, Katrina. "UK chemistry pipeline loses almost all of its Black, Asian and other ethnic minority chemists after undergraduate studies". Chemistry World. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  17. Jennings, Penny. "#BlackInChem launches SPARK fundraising campaign". UCLA.
  18. Mallenbaum, Carly. "#BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackInNeuro: Black scientists, physicians are using hashtags to uplift". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
  19. Langin, Katie. "Science's Breakthrough of the Year 2020: shots of hope in a pandemic-ravaged world". vis.sciencemag.org. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
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