Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter | Social Creatures was founded to bridge opportunity gaps related to social connectedness for marginalized communities, including the Black community, who carry a disproportionate burden of disconnectedness in society.
In lieu of a new article in The Creature Times this week, we ask our non-Black readership to join us in supporting and amplifying Black-led organizations who are working on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education or social justice reform. As a predominantly non-Black team, we recognize our non-Black privilege and are on pause to listen, learn, and devote more time to the lifelong work needed to show up as a non-optical ally for the Black community. This list is merely a starting off point; we must work together to amplify Black voices and advocacy efforts by and for the Black community.
STEM-based Organizations
Black Girls Code: "Our Vision: To increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology."
Black Girls Do STEM: “Mission: To trigger an increased curiosity through deliberate education, access and opportunity of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) within the minds of black girls in every community.”
Summer Math and Science Honors Academy: “SMASH empowers dedicated students of color with an intensive science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, culturally-relevant coursework and access to resources and social capital that allow them to be successful in college and in their careers. Our Vision is a STEM ecosystem where every student, regardless of the zip code they grew up in, has the opportunity to participate in and thrive in the global economy.”
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): "The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is 'to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.'"
National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP): "Promoting the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students within the international scientific community and within society at large."
The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE): "The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers: NOBCChE (pronounced No-be-shay) was incorporated in 1975. NOBCChE's Mission: To build an eminent cadre of people of color in science and technology."
American Association of Blacks in Energy: "The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is a national association of energy professionals founded and dedicated to ensure the input of African Americans and other minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policies regulations, R&D technologies, and environmental issues."
Association of Blacks in Higher Education: "The American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE) will become the premier organization to drive leadership development, access and vital issues concerning Blacks in higher education. In pursuing this vision, AABHE seeks to collaborate with other ethnic groups and organizations that have similar interests."
National Black Graduate Student Association: "The National Black Graduate Student Association, Inc. (NBGSA) is a non-profit, interdisciplinary, and student-run organization dedicated to improving the status of Blacks in higher education by systematically identifying and addressing their needs and concerns."
The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPSI): “The Association is organized to operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including but not limited to: promoting and advancing the profession of African Psychology influencing and affecting social change; and developing programs whereby psychologists of African descent (hereafter known as Black Psychologists) can assist in solving problems of Black communities and other ethnic groups.”
Blacks in Technology: “Blacks In Technology is a global platform for black women and men in technology. We are "Stomping the Divide" by establishing standards for world class technical excellence. BIT serves members through community, media and mentorship. We provide resources, guidance and challenge members to establish new standards of innovation.”
Social Justice Organizations
Black Lives Matter: “#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.”
Color of Change: “Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.”
Black Visions Collective: “Black Visions Collective envisions a world in which ALL Black Lives Matter. We use the guidance and brilliance of our ancestors as well as the teachings of our own experiences to pursue our commitment to dismantling systems of oppression and violence. We are determined in our pursuit of dignity and equity for all.”
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): “The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.”
National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC): “The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. With a particular focus on federal public policy, NBJC is charged with the mission to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma. We work to: Give Voice to the lived experience of Black LGBTQ/SGL people; Take Action to eradicate racism and LGBTQ/SGL bias/stigma; and Build Networks with stakeholders, from the grassroots to the national stage, to support the empowerment of our communities.”
National Black Disability Coalition: “Founded in 1990, in response to the need for Black disabled people to organize around mutual concerns, NBDC is dedicated to examining and improving; community leadership, family inclusion, entrepreneurship, civil rights, service delivery systems, education and information and Black disabled identity and culture through the lenses of ableism and racism.”
The National Caucus and Center on Black Aging (NCBA): “The National Caucus & Center on Black Aging, Inc. was founded in 1970 to ensure that the particular concerns of elderly minorities would be addressed in the then-upcoming 1971 White House Conference on Aging. Since then, NCBA has helped protect and improve the quality of life for elderly populations, making certain that legislators, policy makers, philanthropists, advocacy groups, service organizations, thought leaders and the public at-large include minority seniors in their programs, policy- and law-making, and giving. NCBA is one of the country's oldest organizations dedicated to aging issues and the only national organization devoted to minority and low-income aging.
The African American Policy Forum: “Founded in 1996, The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is an innovative think tank that connects academics, activists and policy-makers to promote efforts to dismantle structural inequality. We utilize new ideas and innovative perspectives to transform public discourse and policy. We promote frameworks and strategies that address a vision of racial justice that embraces the intersections of race, gender, class, and the array of barriers that disempower those who are marginalized in society. AAPF is dedicated to advancing and expanding racial justice, gender equality, and the indivisibility of all human rights, both in the U.S. and internationally.”
National Bail Out: “The National Bail Out Collective coordinates the Mama’s Day Bail Outs, where we bail out as many Black Mamas and caregivers as we can so they can spend Mother’s Day with their families where they belong! The National Bail Out Collective also provides fellowship and employment opportunities for those we bail out in order to support their growth and create a national community of leaders who have experienced incarceration. We also work with groups across the country to support ongoing bail reform efforts and create resources for organizers and advocates interested in ending pretrial detention.”
The Loveland Foundation: “Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. We are becoming the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
There are many additional resources and actions you can take to progress the Black Lives Matter movement detailed at blacklivesmatter.carrd.co.