Black History Month: Spotlight on Chemistry

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Black History Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and their contributions to history. At AdvanSix, we’re honoring this meaningful month by spotlighting three African Americans who have made a lasting impact on chemistry and in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

George Washington Carver (1864-1943) was a pioneering agricultural chemist who discovered innovative industrial applications for crops like sweet potatoes, peanuts and soybeans. Born enslaved in Missouri, Carver faced significant challenges in pursuing his education but ultimately graduated from what is now Iowa State University with a Master of Science degree. In 1896, he joined the faculty at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where he conducted his groundbreaking experiments and published bulletins for poor farmers that included combating soil depletion, producing bigger crops and preserving food. He recognized that legumes replenish nitrates in the soil, which contributed to the development of crop rotation practices.

Angie Turner King (1905-2004) was a trailblazing educator and scientist, one of few Black women of her time to earn a PhD. Born in West Virginia, King excelled academically graduating high school at 14 and earned degrees in chemistry and mathematics from what is now West Virginia State University. She went on to earn a PhD in general education from the University of Pittsburgh. King dedicated her career to teaching and mentoring at West Virginia State, where she modernized the lab facilities and inspired generations of students, including several who went on to make significant contributions to science. During World War II, she taught chemistry to soldiers as part of the Army Specialized Training Program. King’s legacy as a champion of science education and mentor endures.

In 1977, Henry Aaron Hill (1915-1979) made history as the first African American president of the American Chemical Society. Renowned for his contributions to establishing standards for employer-employee relations within the chemical industry, Hill overcame significant racial barriers in his career and found it hard to get a job early on. Despite this Hill rose to became vice president of the North Atlantic Research Corporation in Massachusetts, where he focused on innovations in water-based paints, firefighting foam and synthetic rubber. Hill later founded National Polychemicals, Inc., providing chemical intermediates for the polymer industry and went on to establish Riverside Research Laboratories, a company specializing in research and development for polymer production.

By celebrating the achievements of Black chemists throughout history, we’re reminded of the importance of fostering opportunities for the next generation of innovators. At AdvanSix, we are committed to advancing this legacy by investing in the future of Black chemists and engineers. One way we do this is through our sponsorship of the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), which supports students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through scholarships and internships. These scholarships not only provide financial support but also provide scholars with valuable leadership development and mentoring opportunities.

To learn more about Black History Month and its origins, take a look at the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) website.