BlackInChem is an organization which aims to highlight and increase the visibility of black chemists.^[1] The organization was created as a response to Black Birders Week. The inaugural event ran from August 10 - 15, 2020.

The initiative was part of a cluster of initiatives, including #BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackinNeuro, #BlackinAstro, #BlackinData, #BlackinGeoscience, #BlackinMicro, and others, prompted in part by the Central Park birdwatching incident and episodes of killings and police brutality against Black Americans such as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.^[2][3][4]

According to co-founder Ayanna Jones, the goal of the initiative is "for Black chemists at all stages of their careers to network and to encourage one another along a journey that no one should have to undergo alone".^[5]

The week-long event was conceived and organized by members of a group of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals and students. Key people included; Devin Swiner, Samantha Theresa Mensah, Ashley Walker, Kathleen Muloma-Rink, Ayanna Jones, Natérica das Neves Rodrigues Lopes, Munashe Crispen and Heidi Nelson-Quillin.^[6][7]

The inaugural event series ran from August 10 - 15, 2020, using the #BlackChemistsWeek hashtag on Twitter. Through these events and others, the series highlighted research carried out by Black chemists, and the racism and other hurdles experienced.^[8] The week was themed around several different areas of chemistry, including analytical, biological, inorganic, organic and physical.^[9] The week drew attention from several Black celebrities, including MC Hammer.^[10]

BlackInChem week was covered by the Royal Society of Chemistry,^[11][12] Chemical & Engineering News,^[13][14] USA Today,^[15] and Chemistry World.^[16] In response to the 2020 series, the University of California, Los Angeles launched a campaign to raise $100,000 in order to support a lectureship and fellowships for Black scholars.^[17] The organizers intend to continue the series in future years.^{[2] [18]} The #BlackinX movements were recognized by the journal Science as a finalist for 2020 Breakthrough of the Year.^[19] The BlackInChem team was awarded the 2021 Inclusion and Diversity Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry.^[20]