August 3, 2025

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we will highlight the first Black woman to discover an element and Kamala Harris reflects on her historic 2024 campaign.

From Tennessee State University to Tennessine: The Remarkable Journey of Clarice Phelps

Clarice Phelps made history as the first Black woman to help discover a new element on the periodic table—Tennessine (Ts), number 117. In an interview with Tennessee State University, the TSU alumna reflected on the 20-year journey that led her to this groundbreaking moment. Her passion for science began in 10th grade chemistry class and carried her through a series of impressive milestones: a master’s degree in Nuclear and Radiation Engineering from UT Austin, four years in the U.S. Navy working with radioactive materials, and eventually a role at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she helped purify and prepare the materials used to produce the element.

Phelps received confirmation in 2016 that Tennessine was officially added to the periodic table. In 2019 Phelps found out that she was the first Black woman to be part of such a discovery. “I had to Google it,” she recalled, stunned by the realization. That moment of recognition shifted her perspective, inspiring her to become the role model she once searched for as a young girl. Now pursuing a doctorate in Nuclear Engineering, Phelps hopes her achievement will inspire others from underrepresented communities. “To know the common invisibility of our impact on the scientific community—and to be seen—will be significant,” she said.

campus chronicles // hbcu edition

North Carolina Central University has received a $500,000 grant from the Walton Family Foundation to launch a two-year research initiative focused on systemic barriers facing young men ages 18–24 in the Research Triangle who are disconnected from education and employment. Led by Dr. Tryan McMickens and Dr. Jim Harper II, the project will explore education as a career pathway and develop research-based solutions through community engagement and policy recommendations. The study will culminate in a 2026 conference, sharing findings that aim to expand postsecondary access and career opportunities for underserved youth in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

The New Orleans (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, in partnership with the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, is presenting the 12th annual HBCU Art Showcase, featuring works by students from Dillard University and Xavier University of Louisiana, on view through October 25, 2025. As part of the chapter’s “Links Love HBCUs” program, the showcase highlights student artists from local HBCUs, aiming to enhance cultural awareness and provide a platform for artistic expression and collaboration.

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris will release a new book titled 107 Days on September 23, offering a behind-the-scenes account of her historic and brief presidential campaign. Published by Simon & Schuster, the book promises to share lessons, reflections, and insights from the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. “Sometimes the fight takes a while,” Harris said, noting the importance of documenting her journey and what it will take to move forward.

The announcement comes just one day after Harris confirmed she will not run for California governor in 2026. Though long considered a frontrunner, her decision has fueled speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid. While she faced some skepticism from Democrats in her home state, Harris remains a prominent national figure. 107 Days will be her third published book, following her 2019 memoir The Truths We Hold and the children’s book Superheroes Are Everywhere.

Our editor, Lisa D. Tinsley, would like to thank you for spending part of your day with KISA News Radio.

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