BWEEMS was established during a time where Black people called for transparency and community; there was also a call for change from institutions, industries, and organizations who have continuously failed to include or acknowledge Black contributors.
Racism, oppressive systems, and practices within the science field are a direct cause of the lack of representation and inclusion today.
White supremacy culture (WSC) structures historically rooted in social hierarchies against Black women continue to limit our achievement and undervalue our success.
African Americans compose 13% of the U.S. population, yet they received only 2.8% of the nation’s total environmental science degrees in 2016, according to DATAUSA, making environmental science among the least diverse fields of scientific study.
White supremacy culture (WSC) has dictated Black women’s rights and bodies and led to a system where division and infighting between Black women is a major dividing force. Skin color, hair type, class, and cultural/regional background have all been weaponized to divide us.
For many Black women, trust has been eroded, no only in the STEM system, but also within the Black women community due to the pervasive legacy of WSC.
and Black women in the fields of biology, earth science, atmospheric science, and ocean science represent only 0.26% of PhDs granted.