Sibrina Speaks

In this blog post, I want to provide a listing of a few internet resources regarding the history and important contributions of African American scientists. This is not a complete list, but these resources can be beneficial for broadening the narrative far beyond important historical figures such as George Washington Carver and Benjamin Banneker. AAAS African Americans in Science This resource provides biographical information on scientists such as Dr. Mae Jemison and STEM activities. http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/african-americans-in-science/ Physicists of the African Diaspora This resource provides information on physics pioneers such as Dr. Edward Bouchet and Dr. Shirley A. Jackson. http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/physics/physics-peeps.html The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences This resource provides short profiles of many African American scientists in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and mathematics. https...

I recently shared a copy of my article on the career and achievements of Dr. Robert Percy Barnes with a mentor in the chemical industry. (Barnes is the first African American to earn a PhD in chemistry from Harvard University in 1933.) After reading the article, she sent me an email and stated, "Your research suggests there are clusters of Black PhD chemists trained from specific individuals." My mentor couldn't be more correct about this genealogy of African American PhD chemists. Barnes earned his PhD under the direction of Professor E.P. Kohler, who also trained Dr. Percy L. Julian. Although Julian did earn his M.A. degree in chemistry from Harvard in 1923, he was not allowed to pursue his PhD due to academic racism. Julian later earned his doctorate from the University of Vienna in 1931. However, Barnes trained a number of African American chemists that earned doctoral degrees in chemistry at other institutions.  For example, Chappelle C. Cochrane earned his B.S. ...

Born in Tryon, North Carolina on September 9, 1907, Booker Taliafero Washington White was an agricultural chemist and one of several African Americans that earned a doctoral degree in chemistry from The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) between the years 1940 and 1970. Booker T. W. White began his college career at West Virginia State College (now know as West Virginia State University), an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) located in West Virginia. White completed his undergraduate degree in 1929. White pursued graduate studies in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry at The Ohio State University earning his M.S. degree from OSU in 1937. He attended OSU during the 1936-37 academic year and the 1941 - 1944 academic years. In 1941, an article entitled "Southern Educator Tries to Find Use for Buckeyes," was published in the student newspaper, The Lantern and briefly described White's research efforts. "Booker T. White, on leave of absence ...

Born in Tupelo, MS on March 9, 1912, E. Oscar Woolfolk, Jr. was an organic chemist and prolific researcher. The eldest child of  Rev. E.O. Woolfolk, Sr. and Irene, E. Oscar Woolfolk, Jr. had a younger sister named Katherine. Woolfolk began his college education at Talledega College in Alabama earning his undergraduate degree ( cum laude ) in 1934. He completed his M.S. degree at the Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) in 1939. Woolfolk's thesis was entitled, "Preferential Reaction of Grignard Reagents with Poly-functional Molecules." Grignard reagents are very useful for making important organic molecules (e.g. secondary alcohols). Woolfolk worked as a research assistant at OSU from 1938-1940 investigating  polynuclear hydrocarbons and the separation of rare earth elements. (Although there were few African Americans pursuing graduate degrees in chemistry during this time period, there was another African American graduate student, Thomas Nelson Baker, Jr. enrolled...

I began 2015 with a new journey--walking in my purpose! I accepted the position as Director of Education at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan. In this role, I will focus on science education (and social studies) programming for K-12 audiences.  I am actually applying my training and background as a PhD inorganic chemist to African American history and culture. For years, I was too afraid to admit what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life, but I am no longer afraid to walk in my truth anymore. Being a scientist has allowed me to pursue some amazing opportunities, including working as writer and editor and most recently a college professor. Every professional position I have held has prepared me for this current opportunity. Yes, I am an inorganic chemist working in a museum! The work I am doing now is truly in my spirit and I am continuing the legacy of my late grandmother, Geraldine Gray. My Grandma Geri was a...