National Society of Black Physicists - NSBP

08/17/2026

Meet Dr. Divine Kumah! ⚛️

Dr. Kumah is the Charles H. Townes Associate Professor of Physics at Duke University and an experimental condensed matter physicist whose research explores emergent electronic and magnetic phenomena at interfaces in complex crystalline materials.

A graduate of Southern University and A&M College, Dr. Kumah earned his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the University of Michigan. His contributions to the field have been recognized with honors including an NSF CAREER Award and the 2022 Oxide Electronics Prize for Excellence in Research.

Join us for the third NSBP Innovate Seminar of the year to hear from Dr. Kumah!

📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
⏰ 1 PM PDT / 4 PM EDT

Register: https://nsbp.org/Innovate-Seminar-08-21-26

08/13/2026

Join us on Friday, August 21, at 4 PM EDT for the second NSBP Innovate Seminar of the year!

Our featured speaker is Dr. Divine Kumah of Duke University. His research explores the fascinating electronic and magnetic properties of two-dimensional materials, including phenomena such as superconductivity and multiferroicity.

In this talk, Dr. Kumah will discuss the atomic-scale synthesis of 2D materials and the use of high-resolution synchrotron X-ray probes to map their structural, electronic, and magnetic properties.

📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
⏰ 1 PM PDT / 4 PM EDT
💻 Webinar ID: 825 5826 7402
🔑 Passcode: 015265

Join the FREE seminar:
https://nsbp.org/Innovate-Seminar-08-21-26

Learn more about the NSBP Innovate Seminar Series:
https://www.kitp.ucsb.edu/talks-archive/nsbp-innovate-seminar-series

08/13/2026

CORRECTION to the August 10th post:
We celebrate Black scientists all year! Today, we are proud to highlight Dr. Floyd James.

Dr. Floyd James is a distinguished experimental physicist, educator, and advocate who has dedicated his career to advancing condensed matter physics and championing equity within the scientific community. Through his corporate research, long-standing academic leadership at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and pivotal systemic advocacy, James has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American physics.

His legacy is one of scientific excellence, mentorship, and unwavering advocacy for the next generation.

08/10/2026

We celebrate Black scientists all year! Today, we are proud to highlight Dr. Floyd James.

Dr. Floyd James is a distinguished experimental physicist, educator, and advocate whose career has advanced condensed matter physics while expanding opportunity for Black physicists. Through his leadership at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), service as co-chair of the American Institute of Physics' TEAM-UP Task Force, and decades of dedication to the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP), Dr. James has helped shape a more equitable future for the physics community.

His legacy is one of scientific excellence, mentorship, and unwavering advocacy for the next generation.

07/27/2026

📢 The National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) proudly presents its first mentorship program: the Uplift Physicists Program (UPP) for the 2026–2027 academic year!

UPP is designed to guide students as they navigate their journey toward becoming physicists while fostering a strong, supportive community where no one has to navigate that journey alone.

Applications are now open for Undergraduate Student Mentees and Graduate Student Mentors and are due by July 30, 2026.

Apply today: https://nsbp.org/page/UPP-Application

07/22/2026

We celebrate Black scientists all year! Today, we are proud to highlight Dr. Geraldine L. Cochran.

Dr. Geraldine L. Cochran is a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). She is also an Associate Professor of Physics at The Ohio State University.

Renowned for her equity- and justice-oriented approach to physics education, Dr. Cochran's research works to dismantle historical barriers and reimagine academic pathways for marginalized students. Her impact spans leadership within the physics community, foundational contributions to Physics Education Research (PER), and advocacy with national organizations to increase representation in the physical sciences.

Throughout her career, Dr. Cochran has been a driving force behind the systemic work championed by the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP). Working alongside NSBP leadership and national initiatives, including the American Institute of Physics' TEAM-UP Task Force, she has helped investigate the root causes of the persistent underrepresentation of Black scholars among physics faculty nationwide.

Dr. Geraldine L. Cochran is a true changemaker in academia, science, and the physics community.

07/04/2026

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. This year marks the 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial). The Fourth of July 2026 is on Saturday, July 4.

06/26/2026

Dear NSBP and NSHP Members,

The American Physical Society is requesting our support for its letter-writing campaign regarding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Federal Funding Rule Changes.

While the proposed rule is very broad, we are focusing comments on four major categories: (1) grant review and politicization, (2) international collaboration, (3) professional activities and affiliations, and (4) broadening participation/workforce development.

Visit APS's website for more information: https://www.aps.org/initiatives/advocate-amplify/policy/federal-grants-rule-change

06/26/2026