For today’s joint chat with the National Science Technology New Service (NSTNS), we will focus on connecting the #BLACKandSTEM and broader community with credible information on the Ebola Virus Disease, its impacts, and avenues to contribute to combating the disease
- What are your experiences being a #BLACKandSTEM man?
- What are needs of #BLACKandSTEM men that are most overlooked?
A few years ago, I was asked to write utile link a feature for Nature blogs on the need for more Black women in the sciences functioning in mentoring and advising roles. I was pleasantly surprised about the reception overall; I experienced my article being used to support efforts for diversity in many spaces. There were some less than pleasant responses which I casually stepped over on my way to progressing forward in my own personal goals, I wasn’t surprised. However, the shock came when I encountered the perspective that my voice, one voice, was all that was needed to understand the needs of Black women in STEM educational programs and workplaces.
After the very first #BLACKandSTEM chat, I knew I wanted to continue to do a weekly chat. Whether 2 or 200 showed up, this space was an instant community. Immediately, I saw that on any given topic, we, the #BLACKandSTEM, represent a wealth of experiences and perspectives. I recalled my article and my feeling that, while I challenged preconceived notions on the experiences of Black women in STEM, I had potentially represented an excuse to no longer listen. (Sort of a “We’ve got the answers we need” attitude.) But our broad and varied narrative is one that is necessary. When so few Black women are faculty at research one institutions…When Black women reflect a fraction of a percent of software developers in major corporations…While Black women are earning less that their counterparts in the same positions…When Black women have to contend with the social structures that are obstacles for women and for Black folk…OUR NARRATIVE IS NECESSARY
Today’s #BLACKandSTEM chat is the first in a series on intersections, starting with being #BLACKandSTEM and woman. We will start with two questions, spinoff conversations are welcome. (Remember to use the #BLACKandSTEM hashtag!)
Full disclosure: I will write an article about today’s chat. If you don’t wish to be cited, please send me a DM to or If you are interested in being interviewed, send a DM to either account.
- What are experiences that are associated with being a Black woman in STEM?
- What are the needs of Black women in STEM that are most overlooked?
We have to encapsulated ourselves and our experiences in far less space than it takes to really tell someone who we are. There’s the stress of choosing the right institution, job, program, and/or location.
For today’s joint chat with the National Science Technology New Service (NSTNS), we will focus on connecting the #BLACKandSTEM and broader community with credible information on the Ebola Virus Disease, its impacts, and avenues to contribute to combating the disease
- Am I qualified for this?
- Is this application a waste of time?
- Should I do more training, volunteering, etc and apply later?
- Is this position/degree program/fellowship right for me?
- And so many more.
For today’s #BLACKandSTEM chat, I want us to utilize our community as a whole to help us in our next move.
Ask your questions about choosing the best next step for you and how to prepare the application that will get you there.
The National Science Technology News Service uses media advocacy to increase the interest and awareness of STEM in the African American community. NSTNS consists of STEM professionals and journalists who work to together to broaden the reporting of STEM news to the African American community and to expand the representation of African American STEM professionals in media. Follow on twitter.
Applications can be just as stressful as midterms and qualifying exams
The ongoing outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa and the Congo has claimed nearly 2000 lives in laboratory confirmed cases and is speculated to be responsible for over 3000 deaths. Very few understand the disease, which also claimed the lives of experts who had dedicated their lives to studying Ebola. The media has left many with questions as headlines and stories, at times, appear to be more about getting views than communicating credible and useful information about the virus. The communication of potentially damaging information appeared to increase exponentially when just two days ago, it was announced that Ebola was diagnosed in a patient within the United States.