Sibrina Speaks

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...

In April 2014, I decided to make some important changes in my life, and my first step on this new journey, I joined Black Girls Run! There are several running groups across the country, and I'm a member of both the Cleveland and Akron groups. Now, I have some new buddies too! Why did I start running? Because it is a great way to deal with stress and improve your health. (Plus, my clothes were a little snug, and I needed to make some changes.) One thing I have learned from running is that the only limits that I have are the ones that I place on myself. Since April, I have made some important milestones. I never dreamed that I could run a mile without stopping, but I did it.  My best time so far is 12 min. I completed a 5K in 48 minutes. Yes, this may be slow to some folks, but I am not concerned about the time. All I care about is finishing. That's all that matters. I must admit that I love walking and running outdoors. Hitting the pavement also gives you the time to thin...

During the fall semester in 2012, I co-authored an article in the journal, The Chemical Educator that focused on using concepts from Hip Hop to attract students of color to the chemical sciences. We developed a powerpoint presentation to targeted high school students comparing both fields. In fact, we identified some analogies to teach chemistry concepts such as hydrogen bonding, the structure of ice and trends in the periodic table. Furthermore, we also discussed the important contributions of minority chemists (e.g. Saint Elmo Brady, Percy Julian, Sharon Haynie, and Joe Francisco), financing graduate education, and careers for chemists. After the presentation, the students completed a brief survey asking if they learned something new. A few responses: "I learned how gold and platinum can be used for medical reasons." "Yes, that there were minorities in chemistry that made a difference." "The presentation showed how there are innovators in chemistry suc...

Recently, I was reading an article about my favorite singer, Chaka Khan reflecting on the longevity of her career and offering some candid advice about being successful. (In my previous life, I truly believe that I sang backup for Chaka, but in this current life I can’t sing at all, but I digress.) Anyway, there was one statement in this article that really stood out to me, namely “create opportunities that align with your purpose.” Now, the Queen of Funk Soul was not talking about bringing diversity into the chemistry curriculum, but it made me think about some of my own passions, specifically writing about the contributions African Americans have made to the chemical sciences. Personally, I grew tired of not seeing pictures or reading about the contributions of chemists that looked like me in chemistry textbooks, so I just started writing about these scientists to tell their stories. But how could I bring this into the classroom? How could I bring diversity into the chemistry cu...