We had the good fortune of connecting with Jordan Chapman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jordan, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m originally from South Philadelphia, I came to Georgia to get a PhD in Anthropology with a focus in geoscience at UGA. Growing up, there weren’t a lot of scientists who looked like me and even less that did archaeology or geology. Honestly, I was afraid of science and math until I got to Penn State and decided that I would try to become a scientist anyway. Since then, my goal has been to encourage as many people as possible to use the scientific method and pursue their dreams no matter what.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In 2019, we started a nonprofit organization called the Black Science Coalition and Institute (B-SCI) to inspire and educate people on how to become scientists. Our message is simply “B-Scientists” because it really is that simple. If you’re curious about the universe and determined to learn about it, you’ve already taken the first few steps. We’re just trying to give you a little bit more of a push while also making science fun and entertaining at the same time. We’re still kind of young, so we’re still going through early growing pains like finding funding and getting donations to start some of the big projects we want to complete, but we have a team of talented scientists and people who I have complete faith in. Hopefully, in the next few months, we’ll be launching science communication videos and a digital magazine/blog that gives the everyday person a look at what it’s like to be a scientist. My advice to anyone trying to start their own business is to create a plan and be ready to change it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Beltline is my favorite spot in the city! First, if you’re like me and you need to pace while you think, you can walk for miles on the Beltline. Then once you’re done you can grab something to eat on your way home or find a bench and enjoy the weather. It even takes you to other great spots like the Botanical Gardens. I wish more cities had something like this!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I obviously have to shout out the Black Science Coalition and Institute or B-SCI and everyone who works to make it such a great organization. We started B-SCI in 2019 and we’ve been moving along ever since, we have big things ahead of us!

I would also like to shout all the organizers of the Black in X Conference that happened earlier in July. Specifically, shout out to Sammy Mensah, Ayanna, Jones, Paige Greenwood, Dr. Quincy Brown, Dr. Carlotta Berry, and so many others for putting on such a great event. Black science seems to be going through a revolution right now and I’m glad to have worked and talked to these game changers.

Also, shot out to Roger Anthony at Studio After 5 in Atlanta for designing my tattoo!

Website: b-sci.org

Instagram: jchapnocaps

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-chapman-29b58b92/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jchapnocaps

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