Famous or not, the Black men stars of engineering, discoveries and scientific contributions have left their mark. I call them Stars as I do the Black women of invention, engineering, and technology, because they shine in the face of the crap that most of them had to go through. These Black men Stars have pursued and prevailed through the prejudices and sexism that stalled their progress. From the three-light traffic signal, and refrigerated trucks to the automatic elevator doors, many objects and services that we use every day were invented by Black men. Many are well known, yet many are not. We all know the pioneering Black, inventors, scientists, doctors – men such as Benjamin Banneker, Thomas Jennings, and Daniel Hale Williams.
From science to technology, agriculture, psychology (YES, I recognize psychologists), and medicine, Black men stars have empowered society and future generations of every race. Many of these Black men scientists, inventors and doctors have combined their scientific work with advocacy for social change. For example, Thomas L. Jennings, the first Black man to receive a U.S patent, did more than paten dry cleaning. He was actively involved in the abolitionist movement. But the ideas of Black innovators were often claimed by their enslavers or other White people, since slaves had no voice. The achievements of Black men Star scientists, inventors, doctors and engineers have had a profound and lasting impact in all endeavors of society.
Black men Stars faced limited access to quality education in low-income communities that affected or impeded their preparation. Financial barriers often made pursuing higher education and advanced degrees more challenging. A salute to the inventors, doctors and scientists, because they are champions of change. They are the gladiators of purpose, and their groundbreaking discoveries have left an indelible mark on the world. Thanks to them for leaving a legacy of hard work and perseverance. I present a few of these men, who in my opinion, whether they are well known or not, nevetheless deserve to be called Stars. They are champions of change, they are the gladiators of purpose, and their groundbreaking discoveries have left an indelible mark on the world. These Black men Stars historically faced obstacles such as less access to equal education, and racial violence.
