Recently, the National Science Board (NSB) hosted a panel to discuss the experiences of Black people in science and engineering.

The “Framing Black Experiences in Science & Engineering Panel Discussion” was moderated by Dr. Victor McCrary and accompanied by a presentation on the National Science Foundation’s work with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). McCrary is NSB vice chair and vice president for research and graduate programs and professor of chemistry at the University of District of Columbia.

According to NSB estimates, the number of Blacks must more than double in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to be representative of Black people in the U.S. population in 2030.

During the NSB meeting, the board hosted a panel of speakers to discuss how the U.S. can develop a more diverse and equitable science and engineering enterprise, the ramifications of marginalizing Black people in STEM,  systemic barriers to entry, retention, and advancement in STEM fields, and how to remove them.

Panelists included William Jackson, distinguished research and emeritus professor of chemistry, UC-Davis, Stephon Alexander, professor of physics, Brown University, and president of the National Society of Black Physicists, Stephani Page, community engagement manager, ADVANCE Resource and Coordination Network, and creator of #BlackAndSTEM, Kelly Mack, vice president for undergraduate STEM education and executive director of Project Kaleidoscope-Association of American Colleges and Universities, and Eugene DeLoatch, Dean Emeritus of Engineering, Morgan State University.

The live-streamed panel discussion was recorded and available to view on YouTube.