Black Innovators in STEM

This woman graduated college at 18, then put a man on the moon. But it wasn't until she was 96 years old that she was recognized with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Creola "Katherine" Johnson was born to a lumberjack family in West Virginia. A child prodigy, Katherine excelled in mathematics and graduated elementary school at a young age. At the time, segregation was still in place and only white children were allowed to attend the local high school. So, Katherine's parents were forced to move the family to a nearby town, where Katherine was able to attend high school. By 14, Katherine enrolled in college. Katherine's intellect was unmatched. Professors soon began creating advanced mathematical courses just for her. By 18, Katherine graduated. Quickly, she grew bored of domestic life and returned to college for advanced education. In 1938, Katherine became the first Black woman to ever be admitted to West Virginia University. After struggling to find employment as a woman in science, Katherine happened upon a chance job opportunity: a mathematician opening at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (now known as NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration). From 1953 to 1958, Katherine worked as a "human computer" -- a job where human beings performed complex calculations before electronic computers. The department was known as "Colored Computers", where Katherine and fellow Black female colleagues worked on complex equations and projections. At the time, Black employees were forced to use separate restrooms and cafeterias. By 1958, digital computers were rolled out and Katherine's department was disbanded, while she was promoted to an aerospace technologist. That's when Katherine changed history: she performed the calculation to put the first man in space. She would go on to provide crucial calculations to various space missions, including calculating the trajectory for the moon landing. By day, Katherine literally put a man on the moon. By night, she and her husband raised their three children. When digital computers were rolled out, NASA used Katherine to verify the computer's calculation. Katherine would continue at NASA until retirement in 1986. Like many women in STEM, Katherine's story was largely unknown until the book (then film) Hidden Figures was released. That same year, President Barack Obama awarded Katherine the Presidential Medal of Freedom. NASA named several buildings after her. In 2020, Katherine passed away at 101 years old. How is it possible that the woman who put a man on the moon spent most of her life unknown? While I often share the stories of current women leaders, I'll be sharing more stories of women who are no longer with us for #WomensHistoryMonth. Because... if we don't tell our history, who will? Did you know Katherine's story? - - - Here's to Katherine and the women who built our history. ✌🏼 If you liked this story, subscribe for more. 🔔 #womenfounders

Not allowed to study engineering… so she taught herself and designed a U.S. Navy warship in just 19 hours. 🚢 Day 12: #BHM25 Meet Raye Montague, the Black woman whose brilliance revolutionized military technology—yet history almost erased her name. It’s time to give her the recognition she deserves. ⬇️ 🛳 Think “Hidden Figures” was only about NASA? What if I told you a Black woman revolutionized the U.S. Navy and changed the way warships are designed? 🛳 Most people have never heard of Raye Montague (1935–2018), but without her, the way America builds naval ships would be completely different. She was the first person—male or female—to design a naval warship using a computer, transforming military technology forever. The Woman Who Outsmarted the System As a young girl in Arkansas, Raye Montague dreamed of being an engineer—but she was barred from attending engineering school because she was Black and female. Instead of giving up, she taught herself computer programming and engineering on her own. 💡 Her Breakthrough Moment: ✅ In 1971, the U.S. Navy needed a new ship design in record time—a process that used to take years. ✅ Montague designed the first-ever U.S. Navy warship by computer—in just 19 hours and 26 minutes. ✅ This breakthrough changed how every modern warship is designed today. Little-Known Facts About Raye Montague 📌 She wasn’t allowed to touch the computers in her first job, so she would come in after hours to teach herself programming. 📌 She became the first woman to lead ship design for the U.S. Navy and held the title of Program Manager of the U.S. Navy's Ship Program. 📌 She developed systems that allowed the Navy to create faster, stronger, and more efficient ships, impacting national security and military operations worldwide. 📌 Even after breaking barriers, she was constantly overlooked for promotions—but she never let racism or sexism stop her. The Lasting Impact 📌 Her engineering techniques are still used in modern naval ship design today. 📌 She paved the way for Black engineers in the military and defense industries, where Black representation is still lacking. 📌 She proved that Black women could excel in STEM fields, even when the system tried to shut them out. What Would Raye Montague Say About Today’s Fight for Black Representation in STEM? 🔬 She would push for more Black women to enter STEM fields, knowing firsthand how difficult it is to break in. 🔬 She would fight for Black women in science and engineering to receive credit for their work, just as she had to battle for hers. 🔬 On Breaking Barriers – She would remind us that when doors are closed, we must find another way in. Raye Montague was a hidden figure in military history, but her impact shaped national security and shipbuilding worldwide. She proved that genius cannot be denied, even when the system tries to erase you. let’s give Raye Montague her flowers! 🔁 Repost this-honor a true “Hidden Figure” PS she is my BDAY TWIN 1/21 🎂

Abi’s Black Excellence Fridays: Katherine Johnson🚀 In 1962, John Glenn was about to become the first American to orbit Earth. But he refused to launch until Katherine Johnson personally verified the IBM computer’s calculations. “If she says they’re good,” Glenn said, “then I’m ready to go.” Think about that. A Black woman’s mathematical genius was the final word on whether America’s space program could proceed. Katherine Johnson didn’t just calculate trajectories, she calculated her way through Jim Crow laws, using “colored” bathrooms while computing the mathematics that would define the space race. When she started at NASA (then NACA) in 1953, she was literally called a “computer” because that’s what they called the Black women who did the complex calculations by hand. Here’s what they don’t teach you: Katherine insisted on attending briefings where women were banned. She asked so persistently that they eventually relented. She co-authored 26 scientific papers at a time when women’s contributions were routinely erased. When NASA transitioned to electronic computers, she was the one teaching the machines. Her calculations didn’t just put Americans in space, they brought them home safely. From Mercury to Apollo 11 to the Space Shuttle, Katherine’s work touched every major moment in space exploration. Yet her name remained classified, hidden in history, for decades. 🥹 She lived to 101, long enough to see Hidden Figures tell her story, receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and have NASA facilities named in her honor. Long enough to inspire countless Black girls to see themselves in STEM. In an era where we debate whether AI will replace human brilliance, remember Katherine Johnson – proof that innovation requires not just computation, but courage, intuition, and the audacity to demand your seat at the table. 💫 AA✨ (Substack link in comments 👀) —————————————————— Every Friday, I celebrate Black pioneers whose brilliance shaped our world. These are the phenomenal figures who transformed impossibilities into history. ✊🏾

The next time you make a video call, remember: a Black woman in the ‘80s made it possible. In 1982, Marian Croak joined Bell Labs with a PhD in quantitative analysis and social psychology from USC. She started in Human Factors Research. Her job: figure out how tech could make life better for real people. At the time, the modern internet didn’t exist. But she saw what was coming. Most telecom companies were betting on ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) to transmit voice, video, and text. Marian said no. She pushed AT&T to adopt TCP/IP—the protocol that still powers the internet today. Then she went further… What if your voice could travel as digital data? What if a phone call didn’t need a phone line? That’s how she helped invent the foundations of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). She worked on quality control, latency, and how to make voice over the internet sound human. Then came her second breakthrough: text-to-donate. In 2003, Marian saw AT&T build a text voting system for American Idol. Fans could vote via SMS. She had a thought: if people can vote by text, why can’t they donate too? In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, she and co-inventor Hossein Eslambolchi built it. It raised $130,000 for relief organizations. Five years later, after the Haiti earthquake, the same system raised $43M via mobile donations. She received a U.S. patent for it: “Method and Apparatus for Dynamically Debiting a Donation.” In 2013, she was awarded the Thomas Edison Patent Award for it. In total, she holds over 200 patents, with nearly half related to VoIP. By the time she left AT&T in 2014, she was Senior Vice President of Applications and Services Infrastructure, overseeing 2,000 engineers and more than 500 projects in enterprise mobility and consumer wireline tech. Then she joined Google. There, she became VP of Engineering. She helped bring broadband to underserved communities across Africa and Asia. She launched Google’s Center for Responsible AI and Human-Centered Technology, building ethical frameworks for the future of artificial intelligence. Her team is applying AI to problems such as: – Maternal health monitoring in developing nations – Early disease detection – Climate impact mitigation In her words: “AI can amplify the worst stereotypes and spread misinformation. It has to serve the deepest needs of humanity.” In 2022, she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 💡Follow Justine Juillard to read 365 stories of women innovators in 365 days. Tap the 🔔 on my profile so you don’t miss a single story.

When John Glenn refused to board Friendship 7 in 1962, he had one condition: ‘Get the girl—Katherine Johnson—to check the numbers.’ That girl was Katherine Johnson, a brilliant Black mathematician working at NASA during the intense Space Race. NASA had started using new electronic computers for the complex trajectory calculations needed to send humans into space. But Glenn, preparing to be the first American to orbit Earth, wasn't ready to fully trust the machines for his life. He insisted Johnson personally verify the computer's output. Johnson worked in a segregated unit known then as the West Area Computing Unit, staffed by Black women who served as 'human computers.' Her calculations had already been crucial for Alan Shepard’s first American suborbital flight in 1961. For Glenn's pivotal 1962 flight, her confirmation of the orbital equations gave the go-ahead for one of America's great space milestones. 🚀 Johnson's skills remained essential even as technology advanced. For the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, her calculations helped synchronize the lunar lander with the command module orbiting the Moon. Her work also proved vital during the Apollo 13 emergency, where her development of backup procedures helped the crew navigate safely back to Earth. Throughout her career at NASA, which lasted until 1986, she co-authored 26 scientific papers and contributed to the Space Shuttle program. 👩💻 In 2015, Katherine Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her pioneering work and contributions to the nation's space exploration. Her dedication and mathematical genius were foundational to America's achievements in space. Sources: NASA archives, Presidential Medal of Freedom citations#KatherineJohnson #NASA #WomenInSTEM

It’s Black History Month and I’d like to bring your attention to 20 amazing Black inventors who changed the course of the world with their inventions. 1. Traffic Light – Garrett Morgan created the three-signal traffic light, improving road safety worldwide. 2. Gas Mask – Garrett Morgan also developed an early version of the gas mask, used by firefighters and soldiers. 3. Home Security System – Marie Van Brittan Brown designed the first home security system, paving the way for modern surveillance. 4. Refrigerated Trucks – Frederick McKinley Jones revolutionized food transportation with mobile refrigeration. 5. Automatic Elevator Doors – Alexander Miles created a mechanism for automatically opening and closing elevator doors. 6. Electric Lamp with a Carbon Filament – Lewis Latimer improved Thomas Edison’s light bulb with a more durable carbon filament. 7. Modern Air Conditioning Unit – Frederick McKinley Jones contributed to the development of modern cooling systems. 8. Clothes Dryer – George T. Sampson developed an early version of the modern clothes dryer. 9. Lawn Mower – John Albert Burr improved the lawn mower, making it more efficient and effective. 10. Blood Bank System – Dr. Charles Drew pioneered methods for preserving and storing blood, leading to modern blood banks. 11. Caller ID & Call Waiting – Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson’s research led to telecommunications advancements like caller ID and call waiting. 12. NASA Contributions – Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were mathematicians and engineers whose calculations were crucial in sending Americans to space, including John Glenn’s orbit around Earth. 13. Automatic Gear Shift – Richard Spikes invented the automatic gear shift, making driving smoother and safer. 14. Fire Extinguisher Improvements – Thomas J. Martin enhanced the design of the fire extinguisher. 15. Modern Refrigeration Techniques – Thomas Elkins contributed to refrigeration advancements, keeping food fresher longer. 16. Hair Straightening Products & Black Hair Care Industry – Madam C.J. Walker became the first self-made female millionaire in America by revolutionizing hair care for Black women. 17. Portable Pencil Sharpener – John Lee Love invented a more efficient and portable pencil sharpener. 18. Video Game Cartridges & Modern Gaming – Jerry Lawson developed the first video game cartridge, laying the foundation for home gaming systems. 19. Laser Cataract Surgery Devices – Dr. Patricia Bath developed a device for laser cataract surgery, restoring sight to millions worldwide. 20. Chemotherapy Advancements – Dr. Jane Cooke Wright played a key role in developing chemotherapy as a cancer treatment, saving countless lives. This list barely scratches the surface of Black excellence in innovation. Black inventors and scientists have transformed the world in ways we use every day without realizing it 🤩

A Day of Hidden Black Brilliance 6:00 a.m. – The alarm buzzed. Jordan groaned and rolled out of bed, flipping on the light. A soft glow filled the room—something they never thought twice about. Yet, this was made possible by Lewis Latimer, whose carbon filament improved light bulbs, making them longer-lasting and practical. In the kitchen, the automatic coffee maker gurgled. Coffee poured, and a sip was taken—another invention made easier thanks to Edmund Berger’s work in automation. Outside, the kids raced across the lawn, wielding Super Soakers in a full-on water battle. Jordan called through the window, “Back inside for lunch!” They had no idea their favorite toy was created by Lonnie Johnson, a NASA engineer who stumbled upon it during a heat pump experiment. 8:00 a.m. – On the way to run errands, Jordan paused at a red light. Garrett Morgan’s invention of the three-light traffic signal (and the gas mask) saved countless lives. Power lines crisscrossed above, thanks to Granville T. Woods, whose work in electrical systems revolutionized urban life and modern transportation. Taking an elevator, because of Alexander Miles' design, his improved method for the elevator allowed it to open and close its doors and the elevator shaft doors. Noon – The kids burst inside for lunch, still soaked. Jordan handed out peanut butter sandwiches and potato chips, never realizing George Crum had invented the crunchy snack out of frustration. Scooping up ice cream with the tool invented by Alfred L. Cralle. In the background, the home security monitor blinked—a system first created by Marie Van Brittan Brown to help protect her family. 2:30 p.m. – The air conditioner hummed softly. Frederick McKinley Jones made cooling systems a reality, transforming how people lived and traveled. 5:00 p.m. – Back at their desk, Jordan sent a few more emails on a laptop powered by technology created by Mark Dean, co-creator of the personal computer. Outside, the light bulbs flickered on as the sun dipped—another testament to Latimer’s genius. 9:00 p.m. – The kids were in bed, and Jordan flipped through TV channels with the remote, reflecting on how Dr. Shirley Jackson and Granville T. Woods laid the foundation for modern communication. All these inventions shaped their lives—yet the names behind them were seldom, if at all,  mentioned. #BlackHistory isn’t merely hidden in the past; it’s woven into every moment of the present. Every day is Black History. 365 days a year.

Alexander Miles (1838–1918) – Innovator of Automatic Elevator Doors Alexander Miles was an inventor and businessman whose revolutionary improvement to elevator safety made him a trailblazer in the field of engineering. Born in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1838, Miles was largely self-taught, yet his determination and ingenuity led him to make one of the most significant contributions to modern building technology. Major Accomplishments: Patented the automatic elevator door mechanism in 1887, solving a critical safety issue with early elevators. Before his invention, passengers had to manually open and close elevator doors, which often led to accidents. His innovation ensured the doors would open and close automatically, significantly reducing injuries and fatalities. Miles’ design became the foundation for the automatic elevator systems used in modern skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. Established himself as a successful businessman, owning a barbershop and real estate ventures in Duluth, Minnesota, during a time when opportunities for Black entrepreneurs were limited. Impact on Society: Miles’ invention dramatically improved elevator safety, enabling the widespread adoption of elevators in buildings and contributing to the growth of urban architecture. His work made elevators more user-friendly and safe, paving the way for taller buildings and more efficient urban spaces. Recognition and Legacy: Though his contributions were not widely acknowledged during his lifetime, Alexander Miles was posthumously celebrated as a pioneering Black inventor. In 2007, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his life-saving elevator design. His story continues to inspire inventors and innovators to prioritize safety and accessibility in their designs. Alexander Miles’ legacy endures through the everyday functionality of modern elevators. His determination to address a safety issue not only saved countless lives but also helped shape the vertical expansion of cities, making him a key figure in engineering history. #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistory #blackexcellence

Day 10 of 28 #Innovation #Telecommunications: Dr. Walter Lincoln Hawkins In an era when cable durability limited telephone service, Dr. Hawkins revolutionized telecommunications with a breakthrough that would last over 70 years: polymer cable sheathing. Path to Innovation: - First African American to join the technical staff at Bell Laboratories - M.S. from Howard University - Ph.D. in Chemistry from McGill University (1938) - First African American member of the National Academy of Engineering 💡 Revolutionary Impact: His polymer cable sheathing: - Extended cable life from 20 to 70 years - Made telephone service affordable for rural areas - Prevented cable deterioration from weather & age - Saved billions in replacement costs - Environmentally friendly (first of its kind) - Made universal phone service possible 🏆 Legacy & Recognition: - National Medal of Technology (1992) - Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame - 18 U.S. patents in materials science - Helped establish Bell Labs' Summer Research Program for minorities - Mentored countless minority scientists #Innovation #Science #Chemistry #Telecommunications #BlackHistoryMonth

Black History Month Day 17: Dr. Walter Lincoln Hawkins (pioneering polymer chemist and chemical engineer) Dr. Hawkins is best known for his work designing long-lasting plastic to sheath telephone cables, which introduced telephone services to thousands of Americans, especially those in rural communities. In 1956, Dr. Hawkins, in collaboration with Vincent Lanza, invented a plastic coating that could withstand extreme fluctuations in temperature, last up to seventy years, and was less expensive than lead. Upon validation of this technology, telephone lines were installed in rural areas, bringing affordable phone service to thousands of people and reducing the use of lead. Dr. Hawkins earned his BS in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He completed his master’s in chemistry at Howard University and his PhD at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Before beginning his career at Bell Laboratories, where he was the first Black American to join the technical staff, he taught for several years at McGill University and conducted research at Columbia University. While at Bell Laboratory, he became Bell Labs’ Supervisor of Applied Research and, in 1972, the head of his department. While at Bell Labs, he helped establish the Bell Laboratories Summer Research Program for Minorities and Women in 1974, which benefited over 1,200 participants at the time of his death. Dr. Hawkins also helped establish and run the Bell Laboratories Cooperative Research Fellowship Program, which recruits and supports minorities and engineers interested in earning PhDs. Last, because of his pioneering plastics research, in 1975, Dr. Hawkins was the first Black American to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering. He also won the International Medal of the Society of Plastics, was inducted into the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame, received the Burton C. Belden Award of the American Chemical Society, and was presented the National Medal of Technology in 1992, to name a few. Read more about his brilliant life: https://lnkd.in/g6krHSc5