STP News Blog

Celebrating Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, the STP would like to celebrate our members of African ancestry. Throughout the month of February, we will share inspiring words and personal experiences from some of our diverse members. Members that have been a part of the STP from its inception, are at various stages of their professional careers and inspire us every day through their scientific contributions and personal impact, helping to make the STP a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic society.

Dr. Tiffany N. Scott, DVM, DACVP

“The intentional recognition of Black History Month, as well as other holidays directed towards the recognition of minorities, is especially important in spaces and organizations like STP where minorities have been traditionally under or incompletely represented. As much progress has been made in the global scientific community in regard to inclusivity, our efforts are incomplete until we stop seeing a stark difference between the representation and proportions of races in our support staff versus our highest-level doctors, researchers, and executives.

Taking the time to not ignore our differences, but recognize and appreciate them, is a necessary step in making intentional space for diversity to grow. Using this month to examine our professional lives and identifying practical steps that each of us can take to engage with those who look, talk, think, and act differently than ourselves would be one of the best gifts we could provide to the generations of scientists that will follow in our footsteps. Diversity isn’t just “important”. It is essential for our organization to thrive. Diversity is the lifeblood of innovation. To embrace what is different is to reject stagnation. To reject stagnation is to cultivate growth. To cultivate growth is to build a better tomorrow. ”

Dr. Schantel Hayes-Bouknight, DVM, PhD, DACVP

“‘Growing up in a predominantly Black city in South Georgia and attending two historically black college/universities, I always “belonged”. I never felt like I “stuck out” or was “the only one”. It wasn’t until following my passion into the field of veterinary pathology where I realized that only one (or very few) in the room “looked” like me. While I could have viewed this as a disadvantage and simply went into my own shell, I was very fortunate to connect with black leaders in the field that had already experienced being the “only one” before me. To young people of color thinking about pathology as a profession/career: don’t be afraid to be “the only one” in the room. Feel empowered knowing that others that look like you have paved the way and that your opportunities are as prolific as anyone else's around you."