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For decades, Black scientists have battled systemic barriers in STEM, yet their stories have often gone untold. 

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $3 million grant to the New York Hall of Science in collaboration with Scientists in the Family and Yale Professor Thomas Allen Harris’ non-profit organization, Family Pictures Institute for Inclusive Storytelling. A portion will be dedicated to the production of “My Mom, The Scientist”, which uses the stories of [Thomas’] mother, Rudean Leinaeng, as well as contemporary and historical Black scientists, to examine the challenges and revolutionary potential around African American participation in the sciences.

Harris, a professor of film and media studies and African American studies, has always used storytelling as a tool for advocacy. 

“Why, after all of these years — the Civil Rights Movement, affirmative action, numerous studies and actions by governments, academia and corporations — have we made such little progress with regards to African American representation in the sciences?” Harris asks. 

To challenge stereotypes about who belongs in STEM, “My Mom, The Scientist” will showcase the stories of Black scientists like Harris’ mother Rudean Leinaeng, mathematician Debra Curtis and Dr. Shirley M. Malcolm, head of Education and Human Resources Programs at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The film is a product of collaboration with professionals like associate editor Lindsey Seïde, who helped refine the film through assembly cuts and script feedback. 

“We’re visual creatures; filmmaking is a great way to show people a different perspective,” Seïde explained. “What’s really important about the documentary is that it tells the viewers that this is possible, that people of color have gone to historically racist or sexist fields of medicine and science … and they’ve used their abilities to forward that opportunity to more people of color.” 

Students involved in the production also gained invaluable experience tackling themes of underrepresentation in STEM. For urban studies major Landon Bishop ’27, who is also a staff reporter at the News, the project revealed how personal and impactful documentaries can be. 

“The really beautiful thing about documentaries is that they’re inherently very personal, and by that, they’re also inherently about people,” Bishop said. “You gain something by watching a documentary if you’re open to listening and thinking about how that affects you.” 

Harris hopes the documentary will inspire broad change in STEM education and policy by elevating stories of Black scientists. By confronting stereotypes, he seeks to empower young students of color to see themselves in STEM fields. 

“There are a myriad of Black scientists whose stories and contributions to society have been obscured,” Harris said. “We need to share these stories to fight ‘stereotype threat’ and empower Black students to feel they have a place in science.” 

In addition to the film, the national outreach campaign Scientists in the Family aims to address systemic inequities with a two-pronged approach. First, Harris seeks to amplify visibility for Black scientists, noting research in which more than half of surveyed Black Americans believed greater representation of Black role models in STEM would inspire young Black students to pursue similar careers.

Second, the campaign emphasizes the need for culturally responsive teaching, which accounts for the unique social, historical and racialized experiences of Black students. Harris stresses that meaningful change in STEM education requires directly addressing these contextual factors to make the field more inclusive and equitable.

“My Mom, The Scientist” will be shown theatrically, broadcast nationally on PBS, and streamed online in 2025.

Correction 10/20: This article was edited to clarify that the grant was awarded to the New York Hall of Science in collaboration with the Family Pictures Institute for Inclusive Storytelling, co-founded by Professor. Harris. Additionally, the purpose of the documentary was updated to reflect the requested publicity statement, and Linsey Seide’s role has been corrected to associate editor.