Black Lives Matter

In the sciences we are taught to not let our implicit biases affect our research. It is now time for us to recognize our biases towards racial/ethnic minorities. The underrepresentation of people of colour must be acknowledged and changed. Within the STEM fields, it is our duty to fix this disparity. We must actively speak out against racism and take action against the disenfranchisement of black individuals.

We at the QSCU stand alongside the black community and other people of colour in the fight against racism and discrimination, and towards the betterment of society. Below we have compiled a list of resources to donate to and organizations to endorse. Included as well are groups dedicated to supporting people of color in STEM.

Black Lives Matter resource detailing the ways you can help: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Resources to Donate to

• Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ 
  • Toronto Chapter: https://blacklivesmatter.ca/
  • This is a global organization which works to eliminate white supremacy, counter acts of violence against Black communities, and create space for Black innovation 
• The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/
  • A fund to prevent incarceration and fight against the economic and racial inequalities in the bail system
• Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/
  • Pays the bail and immigration bonds for people who can’t afford to in an effort to end discriminatory jailing
• National Bail Fund Network – https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory
  • A directory of over sixty community bail and bond funds across the US
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund https://www.naacpldf.org/
  • A legal organization that uses advocacy, litigation, and education of the public to fight for racial justice
• Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/
  • An organization working to support policies that strengthen community-led safety initiatives and decrease reliance on the police departments
• American Civil Liberties Union: https://www.aclu.org/ 
  • A group of attorneys and activists working to defend civil liberties and civil rights
• The Movement for Black Lives: https://m4bl.org/  
  • A platform for Black individuals and organizations to discuss the political conditions, and create a shared movement strategy
• BLM Donation Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/bCgLa25fDHM

Projects to Contribute to

• Build for Black Lives
  • I would recommend applying here to build pro bono projects to support Black businesses, activists, organizers, and community advocates! Use your tech skills to make an impact!
    buildforblacklives.com

Organizations to Endorse

• Black Women in Motion: https://blackwomeninmotion.org/our-story
  • A Toronto-based organization that advocates for black women, and provides educational, healing, and economic opportunities
• Black Legal Action Center: https://www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca/
  • An Ontario non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services to Black residents of low to no income
• Canadian Race Relations Foundation: https://www.crrf-fcrr.ca/en/
  • An agency committed to eliminating racism and racial discrimination
• Black Health Alliance: http://blackhealthalliance.ca/
  • A charity focused on improving the health access and care of Black communities
• Black Owned Businesses: https://www.finimpact.com/blacklivesmatter-support-black-owned-small-businesses/
  • FinImpact created a list of black owned small businesses to support that they have shared with us.

STEM Related Organizations

• Black Girls Code https://www.blackgirlscode.com/
  • An organization that offers workshops, lessons, and school programs to help increase the number of women of colour in technology
• People of Color in Tech https://peopleofcolorintech.com/
  • A space that highlights the achievements of people of colour in tech, sharing stories and interviews on their platforms
• TechGirls Canada https://www.techgirls.ca/
  • A Canadian not-for-profit organization that conducts research, and works on solutions that address the barriers to equity and diversity in STEM. They advocate for LGBTQ+, immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous women, women of all colours and all abilities
• National Society of Black Physicists https://nsbp.org/
  • An organization that stands for the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students across the international scientific community
• National Society of Black Engineers https://www.nsbe.org/home.aspx
  • A student-governed organization that supports Black engineers in their academic and professional pursuits 
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society https://www.aises.org/about
  • A North American non-profit organization focused on increasing the representation of indigenous people in STEM studies and careers