Are you looking for information about famous scientists and innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for Black History Month? Students from our 4-H Agri-Science in the City clubs learn annually about the impacts made during Black History Month.
Check out just a few of our highlighted leaders.
For the entire presentation click here.
Patricia Bath (November 4, 1942)
Among many firsts, Patricia Bath is the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology and the first African-American
female doctor to receive a medical patent. She invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment in 1986.
Prof. Samuel Massie Jr. (July 3, 1919 – April 10, 2005)
An organic chemist who was the first African American to teach at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Marie M. Daly (April 16, 1921- October 28, 2003)
Marie M. Daly is best known for being the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States.
Philip Emeagwali (born August 23, 1954)
Nigerian-born scientist and inventor known for first using a Connection Machine supercomputer to help analyze petroleum fields.
Benjamin Banneker (November 9, 1731 – October 9, 1806)
African American astronomer, mathematician and author who constructed America’s first functional clock.
Regina Benjamin (October 26, 1956)
Physician Regina Benjamin worked as the 18th U.S. surgeon general, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009.
Percy Lavon Julian (April 11, 1899 – April 19, 1975)
African American researcher known for being a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants.
Madam C J Walker (December 23, 1867- May 25, 1919)
Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, created specialized hair products for African-American hair and was one of the first American
women to become a self-made millionaire.
Norbert Rillieux (March 17, 1806 – October 8, 1894)
American inventor and engineer, best remembered for his invention of the multiple-effect evaporator.
Charles Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950)
American physician, surgeon and medical researcher known as the inventor of the blood bank.
Mae C. Jemison (October 17, 1956)
Mae C. Jemison is the first African-American female astronaut. In 1992, she flew into space aboard the Endeavour, becoming the first
African-American woman in space.
James West (born February 10, 1931)
African-American inventor who developed the “mic” in the 1960s; holds 47 U.S. and more than 200 foreign patents on microphones and techniques for making polymer foil-electrets.
Mary Mahoney (May 7, 1845- January 4, 1926)
Mary Mahoney became the first black woman to complete nurse’s training in 1879.
George Washington Carver (January 1864 – January 5, 1943)
American scientist and inventor and an extraordinary explorer and innovator of agricultural science.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (January 18, 1858 – August 4, 1931)
African American physician who performed the first prototype open-heart surgery.
Mary Styles Harris (June 26, 1949)
Distinguished American health researcher Mary Styles Harris has gained national attention for her work and influence on
national health policies.
Garrett Morgan (March 4, 1877 – August 27, 1963)
African American inventor who made both the first traffic signal invention and the first patented gas mask.
Alexa Canady (November 7, 1950)
In 1981, Alexa Canady became the first female African-American neurosurgeon in the United States.
Ernest Everett Just (August 14, 1883 – October 27, 1941)
African American biologist and author known for his work on egg fertilization and the structure of the cell.
Emmett Chappelle (born October 25, 1925)
African American scientist and researcher and a recipient of 14 U.S. patents, who discovered that a particular combination of chemicals
caused all living organisms to emit light.
Nia Wordlaw
“My mom came home one day with an article from 1922 about Bessie Coleman. [That] was my first mentor: an article about [the first]
black female pilot,” says Wordlaw, a pilot for United Airlines—one of very few female African- Americans to fly for a major carrier. “It
makes a difference to see someone who looks like you doing something that you want to do.“
For the entire presentation click here.