BlackInChem | |
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BlackInChem Part of George Floyd protests, Black Lives Matter | |
Date | August 10, 2020 |
Location | Worldwide |
Methods | Direct action |
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.
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]
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]
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]