| BlackInChem | |
|---|---|
| BlackInChem Part ofGeorge 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 blackchemists.[1] The organization was created as a response toBlack 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 theCentral Park birdwatching incident and the murders of Black Americans such asAhmaud Arbery andGeorge Floyd, and thekilling of Breonna Taylor.[2][3][4]
According to co-founderAyanna 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 ofscience, 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 andHeidi Nelson-Quillin.[6][7]
The inaugural event series ran from August 10 - 15, 2020, using the #BlackChemistsWeekhashtag 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, includingMC Hammer.[10]
BlackInChem week was covered by theRoyal Society of Chemistry,[11][12]Chemical & Engineering News,[13][14]USA Today,[15] andChemistry World.[16] In response to the 2020 series, theUniversity 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 journalScience as a finalist for 2020Breakthrough of the Year.[19] The BlackInChem team was awarded the 2021 Inclusion and Diversity Prize from theRoyal Society of Chemistry.[20]
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