Our Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism

Our foundation is part of a STEM community that has been built on and continues to languish because of systemic racism. We are committing to using our position within that system to highlight Black voices and achievements that continue to be suppressed, ignored, and eliminated from the scientific record. Additionally, we recognize our ability to put pressure on peers, institutions, and individuals when we see injustices occur.

We are sharing the following in solidarity with #shutdownSTEM

• Listening to criticism to implement change
• Listening to Black students and other Black members of the STEM community

Articles we’re reading:

> “How to be an Antiracist” featuring Ibram X. Kendi via aspenideas.org

> “Science Is For Everyone — Until It’s Not” and “Working In Science Was A Brutal Education. That’s Why I Left.” by Brandon Taylor via NPR and BuzzFeed

> “Why Black doctors like me are leaving faculty positions in academic medical centers” by Uché Blackstock via statnews.com

> “Does America Really Want More Black Teachers? If So, Supporting HBCUs is the Answer.” by Tina L. Fletcher and Trina L. Fletcher via diverse education.com

> “Fisher’s Cautionary Tale and the Urgent Need for Equal Access to an Excellent Education” by Kimberly Robinson via Harvard Law Review

Books we’re reading:

> Fatal Invention by Dorothy Roberts

> The Condemnation of Blackness by Khalil Gibran Muhammad

> Sisters in Science: Conversations with Black Women Scientists on Race, Gender, and Their Passion for Science by Diann Jordan

> The Undercommons: Fugitive Planning & Black Study by Fred Moten and Stefano Harney available for free to the public

> The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Hashtags we’re following to stay informed: 

#BlackintheIvory
#BlackAFinSTEM
#BlackinSTEM
#BLACKandSTEM
#blackwomenwhobird
#BlackBirdersWeek
#BlackinNature
#shutdownstem
#shutdownacademia
#strike4blacklives

• Sharing anti-racism resources

> How does anti-Black racism show up in academia? from shutdownstem.com

> Anti-racism Resources for Students, Educators, and Citizens from UConn NEAG School of Education

> An antiracist reading list by Ibram X. Kendi via NYTimes

> The Great Unlearn Online Learning Platform from Rachel Cargle

> Holding Your Employer Accountable for Racial Justice from Rachel Cargle

> Anti-racism resources for white people document compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker & Alyssa Klein

> Ally Resource Guide shared by @browngirlsclimb on Instagram

• Committing to anti-racism training to create more equitable spaces for our employees and those we serve
• Committing time on our calendar regularly to reading and discussing the resources we find
• Learning how to better support Black members of the STEM communities we serve

> Women of Color in STEM Resources from the American Chemical Society

> Cite Black Women

Seven hundred and thirty-three individuals have received a National Medal of Technology and Innovation and National Medal of Science. Only 11 recipients are Black.
For decades we have celebrated an incomplete picture of STEM’s high achievers, and we are dedicating the time and energy of our foundation to change that picture and create a more equitable future in STEM.

We acknowledge and recognize that we have biases, so we’re committed to:

• Inviting more Black individuals to join our board and inform our work
• Amplifying Black voices through our programming and platforms
• Creating new internal vetting policies to ensure vendors, partners, and donors are aligned with our values