2020 highlighted a year of civil unrest with racial injustices at its forefront. Well known to many, the summer of 2020 featured the unfortunate incident of a Black birder being threatened simply for trying to bird in central park. Sparking an eerie shared experience, a group of Black birders founded #BlackBirdersWeek. Aiming to dispel the myth that Black birders don’t exist, the week took social media by storm and other STEM disciplines started their own virtual movements. A tweet that has now received over 300 likes, by Dr. Tiara Moore started the foundation for #BlackInMarineScienceWeek, with organizers quickly responding and developing a committee. The week ran November 29-Dec 5, 2020 and made a huge impact globally. With over 1 million social media engagements, hundreds of participants, 50 panelists, 35 sponsors (including the Marine Technology Society), and 14 organizers, the inaugural #BlackInMarineScienceWeek turned out better than what was ever expected!
During the week panels included: Marine Careers, Marine Animals vs Plants, #DivingWhileBlack, #SinkOrSwim experiences in marine science, and Youth Empowerment all which are available on YouTube. The week ended with a day of professional development for Black marine scientists including branding and coding workshops and a networking social. Closing the week with aquarium takeovers in Virginia, Georgia, and Seattle. There was such great feedback from the week, Black in Marine Science has now launched a new weekly series, “BIMS Bites”. Airing Fridays at 10 am PST/1 pm EST, Black scientists take 5-minute bites into varying marine science topics in order to communicate science to the public while also changing the face of what a scientist looks like! Black in Marine Science plans to continue to highlight and promote Black excellence in marine science across generations, so make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media so you don’t miss our next big wave!
Website www.blackinmarinescience.org
YouTube channel www.youtube.com/BlackinMarineScience
Twitter @BlackinMarSci
IG @blackinmarinescience (photos from the week all available here)
All events from BIMS Week https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp-l5PhMhHEGHbGEl_tiFK-omyd_pN7Zp
BIMS Bites https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp-l5PhMhHEFsagGXyxXoSFfsBdz7kz6u
The Marine Technology Society was proud to sponsor and support #BlackinMarineScienceWeek.
