BlackinChem explained

Place:Worldwide
BlackInChem
Date:August 10, 2020
Methods:Direct action
Partof:George Floyd protests, Black Lives Matter
Subtitle: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.

Origins

The initiative was part of a cluster of initiatives, including

  1. 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. [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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sloan. Marisa. 2020-08-25.
    1. BlackinChem breaks down barriers
    . 2020-12-22. cen.acs.org.
  2. Web site: Sloat. Sarah. Black Birders Week responds to racism with a celebration of Black naturalists. June 5, 2020. Inverse. en.
  3. Web site: Froelich. Paula. June 6, 2020. Viral video of Central Park 'Karen' Amy Cooper spawns #BlackBirdersWeek. June 7, 2020. New York Post. en.
  4. Web site: Qaiser. Farah.
    1. BlackBirdersWeek highlights Black nature enthusiasts and scientists
    . June 5, 2020. Massive Science. June 2020 .
  5. Web site: Swiner. Devin. Being #BlackinChem. Chemistry World.
  6. Beyene. Abraham. Panescu. Priera. A Community for Black Chemists. Nature Chemistry. 2020. 12. 11. 988–989. Nature Publishing Group. 10.1038/s41557-020-00572-3. 33093674. 2020NatCh..12..988B. 224827322. en.
  7. Pichon. Anne. Calling All Black Chemists. Nature Chemistry. 2020. 12. 11. 977–979. 10.1038/s41557-020-00571-4. 33093676. 2020NatCh..12..977P. 224827166. en.
  8. Web site: Thompson. Andrea. Black Birders Call Out Racism, Say Nature Should Be For Everyone. June 5, 2020. Scientific American. en.
  9. Web site:
    1. BlackInChemWeek – Black In Chem
    . 2020-12-23. en-US.
  10. Web site: Amsen. Ana. Aug 12, 2020. How MC Hammer And Other Performing Artists Are Sharing Their Love Of Science. Forbes.com.
  11. Web site:
    1. BlackinChem part 1: #BlackinChem week
    . 2020-12-23. Royal Society of Chemistry. en-GB.
  12. Web site:
    1. BlackinChem part 3: Looking to the future
    . 2020-12-23. Royal Society of Chemistry. en-GB.
  13. Web site: Heemstra. Jen. 2020-08-13. Faculty, this is our time to be students. 2020-12-23. cen.acs.org.
  14. Web site:
    1. BlackinChem breaks down barriers
    . 2020-12-23. cen.acs.org.
  15. Web site: Mallenbaum. Carly.
    1. BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackInNeuro: Black scientists, physicians are using hashtags to uplift
    . 2020-12-23. USA TODAY. en-US.
  16. Web site: 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. 2020-12-23. Chemistry World. en.
  17. Web site: Jennings. Penny.
    1. BlackInChem launches SPARK fundraising campaign
    . UCLA. en.
  18. Web site: Mallenbaum. Carly.
    1. BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackInNeuro: Black scientists, physicians are using hashtags to uplift
    . 2020-08-05. USA TODAY. en-US.
  19. Web site: Langin. Katie. Science's Breakthrough of the Year 2020: shots of hope in a pandemic-ravaged world. 2020-12-22. vis.sciencemag.org. en.
  20. Web site:
    1. BlackInChem 2021 Inclusion and Diversity Prize winner
    . 2021-06-08. Royal Society of Chemistry. en-GB.

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