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Celebrating Black Excellence
Throughout February, AIP is highlighting resources and materials that celebrate the rich history of Black scientists.
Black History Month Spotlights Achievements and Challenges in the Physical Sciences Community

February is a time to reflect on and honor the profound legacy of Black leaders who have shaped our world. It’s also a time to refocus efforts on creating a brighter and inclusive future brimming with opportunity for all.

Research shows that diverse perspectives increase creativity and innovation in addressing science’s most challenging problems. Black scientists are valued contributors to that success. AIP has an archive of materials that highlight their inspiring stories from the past, aligning with our future-focused mission to advance the physical sciences with a unifying voice of strength from diversity.

Through the TEAM-UP Together initiative, we aim to significantly improve graduation outcomes for undergraduates who face the starkest barriers to success in physics and astronomy, including a focus on African American students. TEAM-UP Together is championed by AIP, the American Association of Physics Teachers, American Astronomical Society, American Physical Society, and the Society of Physics Students.

Watch and learn how TEAM-UP Together is breaking down barriers to student success:

TEAM-UP Together: Breaking Barriers to Student Success
  • Black history is a living legacy—shaped by innovation, resilience, and the courage to expand what’s possible. I’m proud to help build pathways at AIP where Black excellence in the physical sciences is supported, celebrated, and sustained for generations to come.
    Jovonni Spinner headshot
    Career Opportunity and Advancement Officer AIP
  • At AIP, we strive to remove systemic and cultural barriers that remain for those who face the starkest impediments to academic and professional success. As we celebrate and honor inspiring achievements of Black scientists this month, AIP remains focused on fostering communities of inclusive practice across the physical science enterprise.
    Michael Moloney headshot
    Chief Executive Officer AIP
Inspiring Backstories: Curated Physics Resources and News for Black History Month

Finding the right mentors and support systems is an integral contributor to Black students’ degree attainment and overall success and persistence in the physical sciences (TEAM-UP Report). Societies like the National Society of Black Physicists promote the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students, while grassroots organizations like Black in Physics , Black in Astro , and Black in Biophysics offer systems of support, guidance, and networking for Black scientists within their specialized fields.

We’ve collected our archival images, statistical data, teaching resources and news and analysis to inform and inspire you during Black History Month and beyond. As you do, be sure to follow our channels and join in on the conversation.

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Ronald E. Mickens Collection on African-American Physicists
Explore archival photographs and portraits of notable Black physicists.
Tuskegee Airmen studying maps before flying a fighter plane
Teaching Guide: Meteorological Forecasting like a Tuskegee Airman
Celebrate Black History Month with your class by introducing them to meteorology and how weather forecasts are conducted.
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Stories from Black Physicists in Our Collections
Hear excerpts from AIP’s interviews with Sylvester James Gates, Jr., Milton Slaughter, Walter Massey, and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein.
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Book Spotlight: The Quiet Genius of George R. Carruthers
Learn about the theoretical physicists’ remarkable legacy of scientific achievement and mentorship.
Black History Month Book Recommendations
Black History Month Book Recommendations
Delve into a curated collection of books celebrating Black scientists and science fiction protagonists.

Faces of the Physical Sciences

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Faces of the Physical Sciences

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AIP’s photo collection has always been built through gifts and donations of photos from members of our scientific communities. With this easy one page digital photo submission tool , it’s easier than ever to donate photos for potential addition to our archives. Whether it’s a formal portrait, a candid lab photo, or an image that captures your community’s spirit, your submission can help us build a richer, more inclusive record of our physical sciences community.

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Alternative undergraduate physics courses expand access to students and address socioeconomic barriers.
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The teaching framework she has developed makes students feel at home in physics and prepares them for the workforce.
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After switching from engineering to physics, James Addison III found belonging and now helps other students navigate physics careers.
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An alumni workshop helped Jolene Duso find renewed direction toward medical physics through community and shared experience.