February is a time to celebrate the countless contributions Black scientists have made to STEM fields. It is also a time to reflect on the additional work needed to create professional and academic environments where everyone can thrive.

We spoke to 12 members of the STEM community, who shared their thoughts on how to create more supportive, equitable, and engaging environments.

Here’s what they had to say.

ANONYMOUS

Pay. Engage. Build trust. Recognize aspirations and lived experiences. Four simple ways institutions can support Black scientists year-round.

Special thanks to this anonymous contributor for their valuable input.

They’d also like you to check out: https://www.coronacarehi.org/

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Various institutions can support Black scientists by:

  • Paying us for labors done on behalf of our Black communities within our disciplines and more broadly; 
  • Engaging political education that informs mechanisms of power at the intersection of Blackness, classism, sexism, ableism, and beyond; 
  • Building coalitions with Black scientists and refusing incrementalist procedures that ultimately inflict and prolong harms upon Black scientists; and
  • Recognizing Black scientists as fully-formed, organic beings with aspirations and lived experiences, not the objects of institutional agendas.

– Anonymous

JORDAN CHAPMAN

UGA Anthropology PhD student, co-founder and president of the Black Science Coalition and Institute (B-SCI)

Acknowledging the role institutions have played in upholding discriminatory systems is an important first step toward creating an inclusive environment. More from Jordan Chapman (@jchapnocaps) below.

Jordan’s website: https://www.b-sci.org/online-resources

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“If the scientific community truly wants to elevate Black and underrepresented scientists year-round, It needs to acknowledge its contributions to creating systematic racism. Then, all of science needs to work on the way science is taught to the public and increase financial support to aspiring Black and underrepresented scientists.”

Jordan Chapman, UGA Anthropology Ph.D. student, co-founder and president of the Black Science Coalition and Institute (B-SCI)

SYREETA NOLAN

Underrepresented Student Officer for the University of California Student Association and Project Manager for the Telese Lab

Wise words from Syreeta Nolan.

Connect with Syreeta:

On Twitter:

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“I am more than Black, but diversity programs in research only care about my blackness. I feel like disability is seen as a burden or expense when it truly is an asset. Lived experience = new research perspectives.”

Syreeta Nolan – Underrepresented Student Officer for the University of California Student Association and Project Manager for the Telese Lab

RICARDO ANDRES DIAZ RINCON

Computer Systems Engineer

Inclusive spaces protect well-being and can have a direct impact on quality of research, @Ricardo_0621points out.
More about Ricardo:

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“I believe that in order to support Black scientists it is important for people/institutions/places of employment to understand the role that supporting diversity and increasing inclusive environments play in STEAM and across science. It is important for institutions, and academia in general, to fully understand that a healthy environment has a strong impact on one’s research and well-being.”

Ricardo Andres Diaz Rincon, Computer Systems Engineer

DR. MYKEL D. GREEN

Postdoctoral Fellow, Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Hire. Retain. Develop. Powerful words from Dr. Green:

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“Institutions should consciously hire more Black faculty and cultivate their careers. Acknowledging the impact of the Black Tax in academia/industry and finding ways to compensate is another vital piece.”

Mykel D. Green, Ph.D. , Postdoctoral Fellow, Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

DR. CHINWE IWU-JAJA

Pharmacist and Public Health Researcher

An equitable environment allows everyone to thrive. Thank you for your insight, Dr. Iwu-Jaja.

Connect with Dr. Iwu-Jaja here:

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“Black scientists are as knowledgeable as their counterparts and have great potentials that need to be harnessed. The world needs to believe in black scientists; give them the freedom to fully express their potentials, and thrive without prejudice.”

Dr. Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Pharmacist and Public Health Researcher

MONICA F. COX, PH.D.

Monica F. Cox, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Engineering Education, The Ohio State University, CEO and Founder, STEMINENT LLC

Powerful words from Monica F. Cox, Ph.D. on the importance of cultivating AUTHENTIC diversity initiatives.

Connect with Dr. Cox:

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“When I am blamed for disrupting a system that wasn’t built for me and am expected to fix that system in the same breath, leaders in an organization are not being accountable for their roles in this system. They are playing diversity.”

Monica F. Cox, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Engineering Education, The Ohio State University, CEO and Founder, STEMINENT LLC

ABUBAKR IBRAHIM

Astrophysics Ph.D. student, Institute of Space Sciences

Elevating and supporting scientists benefits us all. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Abubakr!

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“I believe as a Black astrophysicist, we need more opportunity and recognition for what we do. This is because we overcome many challenges in order to reach this particular point in our academic career. One thing that most people don’t consider is that as Black scientists, we can play a measurable role inspiring our people and giving hope for the future. This is something I would like people who are in charge, like directors or supervisors, to know. Science is a whole complete process, not just academia. It raises our value as a human being and develops our lives for a better tomorrow — academically and socially.”

Abubakr Ibrahim, Astrophysics Ph.D. student, Institute of Space Sciences

CHRISTOPHER GEORGE LAWRENCE

PhD Candidate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University

We need to move beyond platitudes and support Black scientists in a tangible way, as Christopher (Twitter: @TEburst) rightfully points out.

Christopher is also affiliated with @playcousins502. Check them out here: (https://www.playcousinscollective.com/)

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“Practice Ujimaa. Collective works and responsibility. Support Black scientists by working with them. To prove you value Black scientists and Black people, look at their material conditions and better them.

My material conditions don’t stop on February 28th, and neither should your value and support. If this is about moving beyond caricature, then make our lives better in a tangible way. This takes more than empathy, it takes forethought and the true spirit of collaboration, of community, and looking out for someone else.”

Christopher George Lawrence, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University

CHRYSTAL STARBIRD, PH.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow in the Yale Cancer Biology Institute (@CancerYale)

Invest in talented Black scientists. More insight from Dr. Starbird:

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“There are many ways institutions could and should support Black scientists, but one of the most impactful changes this year has been an increased opportunity to share our science. Inviting Black scientists to share their research, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration, and increasing their visibility is a key first step, not only for the scientists presenting, but to those coming up the pipeline. 

Institutions and employers need to invest in Black scientists and continue this investment for the long term. Not only a financial investment, but investing time, energy, and resources into their research, and supporting them as a whole person, as Black scientists often contribute in many ways to their communities.”

Chrystal Starbird, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Yale Cancer Biology Institute 

HENRY J. HENDERSON III

Postdoctoral Research Associate

If you are committed to creating lasting change, you’ll need to get comfortable with being unfomcortable, Dr. Henderson III points out.

Learn more about the Black in Cancer community here:

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“Be open to “uncomfortable” conversations that have the potential to spark monumental change.”

Henry J. Henderson III
Postdoctoral Research Associate

MERCI NGOZI BEST

Pharmacology Ph.D. Candidate, University of Virginia

Here’s an easy way you can start supporting Black scientists today. Thank you for sharing, Merci!

Connect with Merci:

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“Support Black scientists year-round by amplifying our voices during meetings. It’s already hard enough to be the only one or one of few in predominantly white spaces, so when we speak up, actively listen.”

Merci Ngozi Best
Pharmacology Ph.D. Candidate, University of Virginia

Let’s keep the conversation going. Tweet us @werepstem with your thoughts on how individuals and institutions can support Black scientists year-round.