06/19/2025
Happy Juneteenth!
Today marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, finally completing the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation across all states.
This celebration of freedom reminds us to honor the extraordinary Black Americans whose innovations transformed our world. The same resilience that carried people through centuries of oppression also fueled remarkable discoveries and gifts to humanity that we ALL benefit from today.
As we face ongoing challenges to diversity in scientific funding and research, we're reminded that true excellence emerges from inclusion and diversity.
Ronald, a participant in a recent study on Black experiences in STEM, captured this beautifully:
"If you go back into history, Black people have always been very creative... We created a way to be creative and find new ways to do things that were more efficient, so that we can use our backs less and our minds more... That takes creativity. And to me, that's what STEM is. STEM is creativity."
The best research happens when all voices are heard and all perspectives are valued. We remain committed to supporting and amplifying diverse research that honors the full spectrum of human brilliance.
Source: "Born into the Wrong Family": Navigating Being a Black Male in STEM - Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering: https://dl.begellhouse.com/journals/00551c876cc2f027,2ebc9d756128f1e6,6087977c1aab1aa8.html
