Black in X hashtag aims to amplify, celebrate Black voices in science
Two women both Ph.D. candidates at the University at Buffalo are leading the charge for more diversity and inclusion. Author: WGRZ Staff, Heather Ly Published: 6:53 AM EDT April 1, 2021 Updated: 6:58 AM EDT April 1, 2021
BUFFALO, N.Y. If you scroll through social media, you may have noticed the hashtag #BlackInX and wondered what it s all about.
It s gaining traction as a way to celebrate and elevate the voices of Black scientists, and two women at the University at Buffalo are leading the charge.
Raven Baxter and Olivia Geneus are pursuing their doctorate degrees.
In 2020, powerful online movements emerged to celebrate and elevate the voices of Black scientists.
Called the #BlackInX movements, these efforts arose during months of protests against police killings and police brutality. They were a reaction to events, including the Central Park bird-watching incident an episode that highlighted the dangers and harassment that Black people often endure while living their daily lives.
Among the leaders of #BlackInX movements are two UB doctoral students: Olivia Geneus, a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry who co-founded Black In Nanotechnology, and Raven Baxter, a PhD candidate in the Department of Learning and Instruction who founded Black In Science Communication. (Baxter, a microbiologist and prolific science communicator known as Raven the Science Maven, also created Black In STEM Education, but has handed off coordination of that initiative to other organizers.)