February 23, 2024
Black History Month is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black engineers who have made significant impacts in their respective fields. This month we’ve chosen to highlight several individuals who have made significant strides in engineering and technology, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations. Celebrating these achievements during Black History Month helps recognize their impact on science and innovation.
Mary Jackson (1921-2005): Mary Jackson was a mathematician and aerospace engineer at NASA. She became NASA’s first black female engineer. Jackson’s work contributed significantly to the United States’ early space programs.
William Fauntroy Jr. (1931-1994): William Fauntroy Jr. was a civil engineer and community leader. He played a key role in the development and implementation of various housing and urban development projects, focusing on improving living conditions for African Americans.
Lewis Latimer (1848-1928): Lewis Latimer was a prolific inventor and draftsman. He worked closely with Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, contributing to the development of the telephone and the electric light bulb. Latimer also played a significant role in the early development of the electric power industry.
Guion Bluford Jr. (1942-present): Guion Bluford Jr. is an aerospace engineer, retired U.S. Air Force officer, and NASA astronaut. In 1983, he became the first African American to travel to space, paving the way for future black astronauts.
Mae Jemison (1956-present): Mae Jemison is an accomplished aerospace engineer and physician who became the first African American woman in space in 1992.
Ursula Burns (1958-present): Ursula Burns is a mechanical engineer who made history as the first black woman to head a Fortune 500 company. She served as the CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016, breaking barriers in corporate leadership.
Jerry Lawson (1940-2011): Jerry Lawson was a pioneering electronic engineer and inventor. He is best known for his work on the Fairchild Channel F video game console, making him one of the few black engineers in the early gaming industry.
Aprille Ericsson (1963-present): As previously mentioned, Aprille Ericsson is an aerospace engineer who has made significant contributions to NASA missions and projects, breaking barriers as the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University.
Honoring and remembering these black engineers during Black History Month is a wonderful way to recognize their impact on science, technology, and society. Their achievements serve as inspiration for future generations of engineers and innovators.
