Davis-Reyes, alongside Chrystal Starbird, PhD, and Aileen Fernandez, PhD, founded YBPA in 2020, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Their goal was to uplift and support Black postdocs and scholars, with the understanding that the organization could evolve based on the unique needs from groups traditionally underrepresented in science. Currently, YBPA has active members from multiple races and ethnicities. They focus on visibility, outreach, community, and career development, and regularly integrate feedback from their members to determine what events or initiatives they pursue.
The idea for the display came from the early days of the group’s formation, but due to time constraints it was eventually tabled. When the new executive board was created, the founding members passed the idea along, and De-Shaine Murray, PhD, YBPA’s current visibility chair, rose to the challenge in partnership with the YSM Office of Diversity, Equity Inclusion.
“Having designed and collated these banners after a discussion with Dr. Starbird about her vision for such a campaign, I knew the banners would be powerful and impactful, but seeing them together filled me with pride and a sense of defiance,” said Murray. “It is not a secret that there aren’t many Black postdocs here at Yale but as with our banners standing together, we stand together, as a celebration of those who are here and as a beacon for those who are to come.”