FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Shields

Catalyst

1661 Park Rd. NW, Suite 201
Washington, DC 20010
Phone: 202-265-8280
www.catalystdc.org
intern3@catalystdc.org

Decade of Blacks in Science Launched

Washington, DC - February 16, 2007
The Year of Blacks in Science, declared by the Banneker Institute in 2006, highlighted the intensity of the Nation’s need to focus on increasing the participation of African Americans in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. At the Banneker Institute Awards Gala held at the National Academy of Sciences in November 2006, the Black science community saw the opportunity, through collaboration, to move the needle on this important issue. Accordingly they have declared 2007 the beginning of the Decade of Blacks in Science and have determined to launch this campaign at the second Banneker Awards Gala, scheduled for this coming November.

The Awards Gala in 2006 was truly an historical event. The Gala set a precedent by uniting the Black science community for the sole purpose of recognizing those individuals who have enriched their communities by opening up to others the opportunity to follow careers in STEM fields.

This year’s awards ceremony will feature a special youth award. Youth from around the nation will be nominated, but one very special young person will be the first recipient of the Benjamin Banneker Youth Award. This award is meant to honor the works of a science-oriented young person who is pursuing excellence both in and out of the classroom.

Bill Cosby, last years keynote speaker, spoke of the gap between adults and the youth of today, and how lack of responsibility and accountability hinders the Black community from excelling in STEM fields. The Institute itself was named after the Black man most recognized as the first of our great African-American scientists. The Maryland native, Benjamin Banneker, was a self-taught mathematician, astronomer, clock maker, and farmer. The accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker are an inspiration to those who strive to empower Black youth to accept that nothing is impossible. He will forever be the icon and hero of those seeking to influence and encourage young people in pursuit of STEM-related professions and fields of study.

Sponsors of this activity include: NASA, ExxonMobil, CVS/ Pharmacy, Edison Electric Institute, Pepco, Mathematical Association of America, American Physical Therapy Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, Maurice Faulk Fund, American Institute of Physics, Drexel University, American Mathematical Society, American Society of Civil Engineers, and a number of generous donors. To become a sponsor, to find out more about The Banneker Institute, or to nominate an adult or young person for the Banneker Legacy Award, please visit www.thebannekerinstitute.org.

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