As someone of African American heritage, I’ve often reflected on the legacy I carry — one filled with resilience, creativity, and brilliance. Yet, when I look back at how history has been told in schools and in mainstream narratives, I see gaps. I see how the contributions of Black inventors, scientists, and technologists have been overlooked, their stories untold or credited elsewhere.
This article is my way of celebrating those hidden innovators — to shine a light on the Black men and women who shaped science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It’s also a call to action: to ensure future generations know these names, embrace this heritage, and feel inspired to innovate themselves.
The Forgotten Inventors Who Changed the World
Black inventors have been shaping society for centuries, often without recognition.
- Garrett Morgan (1877–1963): Invented the modern traffic light and a prototype of the gas mask. His traffic signal, patented in 1923, saved countless lives and influenced road systems globally. Yet, how often is his name taught in schools alongside Edison or Bell?
- Madam C.J. Walker (1867–1919): America’s first self-made female millionaire, she built a beauty empire by developing hair-care products for Black women at a time when the market ignored them. Beyond business, she became a philanthropist and activist for civil rights.
- Lewis Latimer (1848–1928): An engineer and draftsman who worked with Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, Latimer invented a carbon filament that made electric light bulbs affordable and practical. Without him, Edison’s invention might never have become widespread.
- Dr. Charles Drew (1904–1950): Revolutionised blood storage and developed large-scale blood banks, saving lives in World War II and beyond. Ironically, he died after a car accident when he himself couldn’t access the blood transfusions he pioneered due to segregation-era policies.
- Granville T. Woods (1856–1910): Known as the “Black Edison,” he held over 50 patents. His work on railway telegraphs helped prevent train accidents by allowing communication between moving trains.
- Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922–1999): Invented the first home security system with her husband in 1966, laying the foundation for today’s multi-billion-dollar security industry.
These individuals remind us that innovation is not limited to those history books often glorify. Black inventors have been at the centre of progress — just often written out of the story.
Black Pioneers Who Received Recognition
There are also those whose brilliance was acknowledged in their lifetime:
- George Washington Carver (1864–1943): A pioneering agricultural scientist who promoted crop rotation and invented hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. He helped uplift poor farmers across the American South.
- Mae Jemison (b. 1956): The first African American woman in space, Mae broke barriers in 1992 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She has since inspired generations to pursue STEM careers.
- Mark Dean (b. 1957): Co-inventor of the IBM personal computer and holder of three of the original nine patents for the PC. He also led the team that created the first one-gigahertz computer chip.
- Katherine Johnson (1918–2020): A NASA mathematician whose calculations were critical to the success of America’s first manned spaceflights. Her story came to light in the book and film Hidden Figures.
- Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson (b. 1946): A physicist whose work led to inventions such power caller ID and fibre-optic cables. She later became the first African American woman to earn a PhD at MIT.
- Philip Emeagwali (b. 1954): A Nigerian computer scientist often called one of the fathers of the internet, he developed algorithms that helped make supercomputers more efficient.
Their recognition is important, but it remains partial. For every Jemison or Carver, there are dozens of Black innovators whose names remain unknown.
Black Excellence in Modern Technology and AI
Today, Black innovators are making extraordinary contributions to the most advanced fields — especially artificial intelligence and technology:
- Dr. Timnit Gebru: A pioneering computer scientist known for her work in algorithmic bias and ethics in AI. She co-authored groundbreaking research on bias in facial recognition systems and co-founded Black in AI, a community supporting Black professionals in artificial intelligence.
- Joy Buolamwini: Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Joy exposed racial and gender bias in AI systems through her MIT research. Her advocacy has influenced global conversations about ethics in AI.
- Ayanna Howard: Roboticist and AI expert, she has worked at NASA and is now Dean of Engineering at Ohio State University. Her research in AI, robotics, and accessibility has helped develop technologies to assist children with disabilities.
- Silas Adekunle: Nigerian-British entrepreneur who co-founded Reach Robotics and created MekaMon, the world’s first gaming robot.
- Ruha Benjamin: Scholar and author whose work explores race, justice, and technology. Her book Race After Technology challenges us to rethink how systems perpetuate inequality.
- Abdigani Diriye: A Somali computer scientist and entrepreneur working in AI research at IBM and fintech in Africa.
Their work shows how Black thinkers are not only participating in but shaping the frontier of technology.
Why Isn’t This Part of Our Generational Legacy?
Despite these stories, too often young Black children grow up without learning them. Why?
- Historical Erasure: Textbooks and curricula have long excluded Black contributions, focusing instead on a Eurocentric narrative.
- Systemic Barriers: Patent laws, lack of access to capital, and institutional racism historically prevented Black inventors from gaining recognition.
- Representation Gap: Even in today’s media, innovators are less celebrated than entertainers or athletes.
- Lack of Mentorship: Without visible role models, young people may not see STEM as “for them.”
The result? Generations of untapped potential. If innovation isn’t seen as part of our heritage, we risk losing the inspiration to carry it forward.
Building a Future of Inclusion and Innovation
To change this, we must be intentional about nurturing the next generation of Black innovators.
Education and Storytelling
We need more curricula that highlight Black inventors and scientists — not just during Black History Month but year-round. Storytelling changes how young people see themselves.
Mentorship and Community
Organisations that connect Black youth with professionals in STEM are crucial. Role models turn abstract dreams into tangible goals.
Access to Resources
Scholarships, incubators, and funding must be directed toward underrepresented communities to break down systemic barriers.
Celebration and Visibility
We must celebrate Black inventors with the same enthusiasm we celebrate sports or music stars. Visibility creates legacy.
Organisations Supporting Black Excellence in STEM
Here are some organisations worldwide making a difference:
- Black in AI (Global): Founded by Timnit Gebru and Rediet Abebe, promoting diversity in artificial intelligence research.
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE, US): One of the largest student-run organisations in the world, supporting Black engineers.
- Black Girls Code (US & Global): Empowers young girls of colour to enter technology and computer science.
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS, Africa): Nurtures Africa’s next generation of scientific leaders.
- UK Black Tech (UK): A community dedicated to supporting and increasing Black representation in UK technology.
- Women in AI Ethics (Global): Advocates for inclusivity and ethics in AI, with strong representation from women of colour.
- Afrotech (Global): A hub for Black entrepreneurs and technologists, hosting conferences and community events.
- NPower (US/Canada/UK): Provides free tech training to underserved communities, including people of colour.
These organisations not only provide support but also amplify visibility.
Why This Matters to Me Personally
As an African American, I write this with both pride and responsibility. Pride in the innovators who paved the way, responsibility because their legacy must not fade into silence. Too often, when we talk about Black history, we focus only on oppression. That story matters — but so does the story of brilliance, ingenuity, and invention.
When I look at Latimer’s light bulb filament, or Gebru’s fight for AI ethics, I see proof that innovation is in our DNA. When I see Walker’s beauty empire or Jemison in space, I see a legacy of possibility.
Our children need to know this — because innovation is not just a skill. It is a heritage.
A Call to Action
Black History is world history. The contributions of Black innovators should not be footnotes; they should be central to how we understand progress. From agriculture to AI, from space travel to beauty products, Black men and women have shaped the world we live in.
If we want a more equitable future, we must:
- Teach these stories.
- Fund these innovators.
- Celebrate these legacies.
- Create pathways for the next generation.
As we stand on the cusp of technological revolutions in AI, robotics, and biotech, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Black brilliance has always been here — the world just needs to recognise it, nurture it, and build upon it.
Thoughts, to be continued…
Black History Month (February in the US and October in the UK) is not just about the past. It’s about the future we are building. When we celebrate inventors like Garrett Morgan, scientists like Charles Drew, technologists like Mark Dean, and AI ethicists like Timnit Gebru, we do more than honour them. We tell our children: this is your legacy, too. And when they see themselves in the story of innovation, they will create the inventions, technologies, and ideas that will carry us forward.
This article is written from a place of heritage, pride, and hope — because I know the power of our story. And it is time the world does, too. Spread the knowledge.
