BlackinChem

BlackInChem is an organization which aims to highlight and increase the visibility of Black chemists.[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]

#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, Munashe Crispen 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] The BlackInChem team was awarded the 2021 Inclusion and Diversity Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry.[20]

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 (June 2020). "#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.
  20. "#BlackInChem | 2021 Inclusion and Diversity Prize winner". Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
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