Human Dimensions: Raising Black Excellence by Elevating Black Ecologists Through Collaboration, Celebration, and Promotion

While tutoring at inner-city schools in Cleveland, Ohio, as an undergraduate, I (Sealey) had the opportunity to promote science careers to Black students who were unsure if a career in STEM was suit- able for them. They were excited to hear about my research and expeditions. However, when they asked me whether there were spaces that specifically promote scholars of color in scientific achievements, I had no good answer. It was not until I met Dr. Nyeema Harris, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan (UM), that I would have the opportunity to develop my answer and refer students to the Black Ecologists Section (BES) of the Ecological Society of America (ESA).