Community Support, Partnerships, and Inclusive Environments for Black Students and Professionals in Science, Engineering, and Medicine

Individuals, institutions, and communities all have a role in strengthening representation of Black men and Black women in science, engineering, and medicine (SEM). The SEM workplace has historically not been an equitable space for students, faculty, staff, and professionals, but promising practices nationwide are changing that narrative.

On September 19-20, 2022, the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a virtual workshop to examine local, regional, and national opportunities to engage with and leverage community support and mutually beneficial partnerships that build inclusive environments for Black undergraduate, graduate, and medical students and increase the representation of Black professionals in SEM. Workshop participants helped identify practices, policies, and partnerships with demonstrated success; laid a foundation for collaborative dialogue that involves student involvement in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of SEM programs; and identified the resources and actions necessary to further positive change for Black SEM students and professionals.