Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with matter and how it changes. This includes the identification of substances composed of matter, the investigation of atomic and molecular properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change, as well as the use of these processes to form new substances. The field of Chemistry, as with the majority of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, is permeated with an historical legacy of structural racism.
In 2020, a conversation took place during #BlackInChem week about the lack of representation in the field and micro aggressions felt by Black Chemistry students. Looking at ways to address this involved surveying students of color in the field of chemistry about their experiences and what steps they perceived would be helpful. Many students cited a need for effective mentorship not just from faculty, but peer mentorship as well. They also stressed the need for greater financial support to allow them to devote time studying rather than working side jobs in order to survive. When students come from families that do not have prior experience with higher education, perhaps they are first generation college students, they also need help navigating the educational system (Remmel, 2020 12:15). Mentorship can come from internships in industry or research with faculty members in their academic labs. There has been funding put in place to target diversity in STEM via both of these types of Mentorships. Also knowing about scientists of color is empowering for students. Teachers have an opportunity to highlight those individuals as a part of their curriculum. The Marberger STEM Center at Lawrence Technological University (https://www.ltu.edu/stem-center/) is a great resource for STEM faculty wishing to make their teaching more inclusive. It is important to note that the responsibility of diversifying the field cannot just fall on the Black scientists but rather a united effort on the part of all scientifically minded educators and researchers.
What will become clear as you read through this primer is that representation matters. It is important both for students of color and women to see themselves in their fields of study, so hiring practices in chemistry should reflect that goal. Additionally, for those faculty who do not represent the demographic of their students, it is important to highlight prominent thinkers in their field that are not just white men. In an effort to learn more about the history of Black Chemists here we highlight the first African American to earn a PhD in Chemistry.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1884, Saint Elmo Brady became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in the field of chemistry when he completed his graduate studies at the University of Illinois in 1916. Brady studied chemistry at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and earned hisB.S. degree in 1908. After graduation he accepted a faculty position at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now known as Tuskegee University) and was mentored by George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington,President of Tuskegee. He began graduate studies in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois in 1912, earning his M.S. degree in 1914 and completing his doctorate in 1916.
As a graduate student at Illinois, Brady’s research focused on the characterization of organic acids. Brady eventually published three abstracts focused on his graduate work in Science, a prestigious peer-reviewed journal.After completing his doctorate, Brady returned to Tuskegee and continued teaching until 1920. He also served as chair and faculty of the Department of Chemistry at Howard University and Fisk University. (Collins, 2007).
In the summer of 2020, the president of the American Chemical Society (ACS) issued a statement in response to the killing of George Floyd. As one of the world's largest scientific organizations they felt the use of their platform to connect the field of chemistry to social justice and structural racism was important (Echegoyen, 2020). There is an acknowledgement on the part of the American Chemical Society (ACS) that their publications do not represent enough diversity of voice and they released this statement denouncing racial violence. They, like other academic organizations, have committed to a number of first action steps including a commitment to diversity of journal contributors as a part of the evaluation of the Editor in Chief(Advancing ACS’, nd). Placing the task of ensuring diverse representation in the publication they edit as a part of their job performance ensures accountability and the outcome is easily measurable. In order to do so, it will be important to circle back to see how this equity work shifts the demographics of the field.
