In 1923, Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society (BKX) was established as the first African American STEM Honor Society in the nation. It is my distinct honor and privilege to serve as president of this esteemed organization. Our purpose is to ensure the stimulation of high scholarship in pure and applied sciences and enhance the motivation of intellectual growth and nurturing of quality leadership in the pursuit of scientific advancement. Education and the pursuit of excellence through scholarship is our one of our most valuable weapons in the fight against racial inequality. One can only imagine the barriers of systemic racism that our predecessors had to endure, while being a Black scientist in America. All of Beta Kappa Chi’s founding chapters were Historically Black Colleges and Universities, since African Americans were not allowed to join majority honor societies. Today, 97 years later, America is in monumental moment where systemic racism continues to threaten yet another generation of black scientists. Our future scholars should have the opportunity to live in a nation that lacks discriminatory practices. In May of 2020, light was shed on America’s “evil” within the criminal justice system. A law enforcement officer assassinated George Floyd, a black man, with his knee on his neck, while three others knelt on his back. A young woman like, Breonna Taylor, should not be murdered while asleep at home and certainly, Ahmoud Arberry, should have been able to jog in his neighborhood without being executed. There was no crime, except they were black. We must stand in solidarity to work together and demand systemic change for racial inequalities and injustices that plague our local, state and federal government. Beta Kappa Chi stands strong and unified for change and encourage a peaceful movement against racism. Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society’s unparalleled mission for education, scholarship and scientific excellence will endure with zeal as we mandate positive police reform and racial equality for all.
Maureen Scott, President
Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society