As a proud Durham native, a local elected official and a current Duke University PhD Candidate, I am thrilled to welcome my BWEEMS family to my hometown for our 2025 conference. The significance of bringing this gathering of brilliant Black women in ecology, evolution, and marine science to Durham cannot be overstated. Our city, with its rich history of Black success and leadership, provides the perfect backdrop for celebrating our achievements and charting the course for our future in science.
Durham: A Legacy of Black Excellence
Known as the "Black Wall Street of the South" in the early 20th century, Durham has long been a beacon of Black entrepreneurship and empowerment. Parrish Street, the heart of this thriving Black business district, stood as a testament to what our community could achieve in the face of adversity. This spirit of innovation and determination continues to flow through Durham's veins, making it an ideal location for BWEEMS 2025.
A Hub of Academic and Scientific Innovation
Durham and the surrounding Research Triangle area are home to some of the nation's top-ranking academic institutions, each with distinguished environmental programs:
- Duke University: My current academic home boasts the Nicholas School of the Environment, a leader in interdisciplinary environmental education and research.
- North Carolina Central University (NCCU): This historic HBCU offers strong programs in environmental, earth, and geospatial sciences, continuing the legacy of Black academic excellence.
- North Carolina State University: With its College of Natural Resources and cutting-edge research in ecology and environmental sciences, NC State is at the forefront of innovation.
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: UNC's Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program (E3P) is renowned for its comprehensive approach to environmental studies.
Research Triangle Park: Where Innovation Thrives
No discussion of Durham's scientific landscape would be complete without mentioning the Research Triangle Park (RTP). As one of the largest research parks in the world, RTP is a hotbed of innovation in biotechnology, environmental sciences, and more. The park's collaborative atmosphere mirrors the spirit of BWEEMS, making it a perfect complement to our conference.
A Personal Homecoming
For me, hosting the 2025 BWEEMS Conference in Durham is more than just a conference—it's a homecoming. It's a chance to show my BWEEMS sisters the community that nurtured my love for science and instilled in me the belief that Black women belong at the forefront of scientific discovery.
From exploring the Duke Gardens to visiting the Nasher Museum of Art, from savoring Durham's renowned food scene to walking the historic Black Wall Street, I can't wait for you all to experience the warmth and vibrancy of my hometown.
As we gather at Duke University in May, we'll not only be sharing our research and building our networks—we'll be writing a new chapter in Durham's long history of Black excellence. We'll be standing on the shoulders of the visionaries who built Black Wall Street, carrying their legacy of innovation and empowerment into the realms of ecology, evolution, and marine science.
I look forward to welcoming you all to Durham in 2025. Together, we'll celebrate our past, showcase our present achievements, and shape the future of our fields in a city that has always believed in the power and potential of Black excellence.
See you in Durham!
