GEORGIANA ROSE SIMPSON – Ph.D. Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University Archives Georgiana Rose Simpson was the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in the United States. Her academic career started when Simpson enrolled at the University of Chicago in 1907, and received a bachelor of arts degree in German in 1911. She later went [...]
BUCK O’NEIL – BASEBALL COACH Buck O’Neil was a first baseman and manager in the Negro American League, mostly with the Kansas City Monarchs. After his playing days, he worked as a professional scout and became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball by the Chicago Cubs in 1962. After his professional career, [...]
Augustus Jackson – Ice Cream Maker While Jackson was not the inventor of ice cream, nor the first person to serve it in the US, he is referred to as the “Father of Ice Cream” because he pioneered the products’ modern manufacturing methods. While being a confectioner at the white house during the 1820’s, Jackson [...]
World War II Army 1st Lt. Vivian “Millie” Bailey sits at a table that honors her at a Maryland Mission BBQ restaurant. On the wall above her is her service photo. Photo: Martin Johnson Millie Bailey – US Army Pilot Vivian Mildred Corbett Bailey is an American WWII Veteran. Bailey was one of the first [...]
Jesse Russell – Cell Phone Pioneer Jesse Russell was a Black inventor and IT entrepreneur and has over 100 patents registered. It all started in 1972 when he received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. As a top honor student in his class, Russell became the first African American to be hired directly [...]
James West – Inventor Image Credit: Sonavi Labs Hello… Hello? Is this thing on? Well thanks to African-American Inventor James West, known worldwide as the co-inventor of the foil electret microphone. This is a type of condenser microphone, which 90% of all microphones use today. This technology is featured in phones, sound and music recording [...]
Phillis Wheatley - Poet After being kidnapped from West Africa and enslaved in Boston, Phillis Wheatley became the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry in the colonies in 1773. Her work “Poems on Various Subjects" is a landmark achievement in US History. As a strong supporter of America’s fight for independence, Wheatley [...]
George Crum – Potato Chips Do you like potato chips? Of course you do! Did you know that the potato chip was first created by George Crum, an African-American inventor and chef who got the idea from trying to teach a lesson to a dissatisfied customer who sent back a plate of French-fried potatoes. [...]
Charles Drew in lab in front of a microscope Credit: The Scurlock Studios/National Library of Medicine Dr. Charles Richard Drew - American Surgeon Dr. Charles Richard Drew also known as "The Father Of Blood Banking" was an American Surgeon and medical researcher. In the late 1930’s Drew invented a way to preserve blood plasma, [...]