Advancing Visibility and Inclusivity during Black Mammalogists Week

Black ecologists are historically underrepresented in the field of Mammalogy and in the broader field of conservation. As an initiative, Black Mammalogists Week seeks to increase the visibility of Black professionals in mammalogy and conservation while promoting accessibility and inclusivity across these fields.

During 2024 Black Mammalogists Week, Kendall Calhoun (2023 Fellow) collaborated with event co-organizers to develop interactive sessions, networking events, and discussion panels designed to inspire younger generations of Black students and create meaningful opportunities for mentorship and professional connection. Discussion panels are a central component of the week’s programming, showcasing the contributions of Black mammalogists across a diverse range of sub-specialty topics. Kendall led the development of a panel titled “Resilience in Black Mammalogists,” which invited four Black mammalogists to reflect on how their personal stories of resilience intersect with the ecological resilience of the mammal species they study.

In addition to the Resilience Panel, the week featured a Mammal Drawing Class webinar, a Wildlife Media Panel, a Human–Wildlife Coexistence Panel, and a Mammal Track and Identification Workshop. These live Zoom webinars were promoted primarily to early-career Black ecologists—including undergraduate and graduate students—who were able to interact directly with panelists. The Mammal Track and ID Workshop and Mammal Drawing Class were intentionally designed to engage younger students.

Overall, the goal of the panel and #BlackMammalogistsWeek was to foster a stronger sense of belonging among early-career researchers and practitioners, supporting recruitment and retention in conservation fields. The event also created pathways for lasting mentorship and long-term professional development.