This week was #BlackInMarineScienceWeek and it was a wonderful week to be introduced to marine scientists from all over the world who are black. These marine scientists may have felt excluded from the traditionally white, male-dominated field in the past, but this week was to increase the visibility of black marine scientists, showcase the great work that they do in various parts of the field with the goal of inspiring the younger generations and the next great marine scientists. 

In this episode, I discuss the new colleagues and friends that I met throughout the week, including the three young and bright scientists that I interviewed for Monday (Ep. 1088) and Wednesday's (episode 1089) episodes. I talk about the role their mother's played in their path to becoming a Marine Scientist. 

I also discuss the importance of black marine scientists to inspire the next generation of black marine scientists using two real-life examples of how people followed their dreams because they saw someone that looked like them be there first and become a leader in their field. 

All of the black marine scientists who were a part of this week have become leaders that black children are looking at today and happy to know there are Marine Scientists that look like them and they, too, can become marine scientists. 

More information on the Black In Marine Science Website:
https://blackinmarsci.github.io/

This week we are celebrating Black In Marine Science Week so that we can show that there are many Black Marine Scientists who need to be recognized and identified. 

On today's episode of the Speak Up For The Ocean Blue Podcast, I am joined by Carlee Jackson, Dr. Camille Gaynus, and Alex Troutman and their mothers. We discuss what it was like for these marine scientists to grow up to follow a career in Marine Science. 

Their mothers tell us what their children did to show them that they were serious about being a marine scientist and how they learned what being a marine scientist was all about. Carlee and Camille both competed in swimming while Alex was always out back playing in the creek behind his house, turning up rocks and logs to see what creatures lie underneath. 

Now, Carlee, Camille, and Alex are marine scientists studying sharks, corals, and sea turtles, respectively. They are also co-organizers in #BlackInMarineScienceWeek. They want more black marine scientists to be seen and heard that is what this week is all about. 

I am proud that Carlee, Camille, and Alex are on today's episode. Speak Up For The Ocean Blue Podcast is a show that I created to provide marine scientists and conservationists with a platform to talk about their work and I am very proud that I got to be a part of this week. 

Website: https://blackinmarsci.github.io/index.html