Black Inventors
George Washington Carver’s interests in plants led him to become a leading agronomist who pioneered more than 300 uses for this humble legume.
What is a peanut?
Black porters working for the Pullman Company found themselves facing suppressed wages, extractive fees for food, lodging, and uniforms, and long hours in this highly mobile industry.
What is the railway industry?
State workers may be familiar with him for his namesake building; this appointed figure was Michigan’s first Black Secretary of State.
Who is Richard H. Austin?
This R&B artist gained recognition for his androgynous stage presence, purple attire, and distinctive falsetto.
Who is Prince?
Each February, this annual celebration honors the contributions of African Americans in U.S. history, culture, commerce, and politics.
What is Black History Month?
Garrett Morgan witnessed a car accident in Cleveland, Ohio, which led him to invent this innovation for the automatic traffic light.
What is the yellow light?
2025 marks the centennial of A. Philip Randolph forming this groundbreaking labor union.
What is the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (and Maids)?
The first Black writer to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Who is Toni Morrison?
This hugely popular Motown group from the 1960’s is also known for launching the career of “The King of Pop”.
Who are The Jackson 5?
The first African American woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor.
Who is Alexis Herman?
He made a major improvement to the practicality and accessibility of the light bulb by inventing the carbon filament.
Who is Lewis Latimer?
The Pullman Company was based in this midwestern U.S. city.
What is Chicago?
Known for being the first Black American to run as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
Who is Shirley Chisholm?
Born in Detroit, this noted harpist became a Hindu leader, whose spiritual journey is said to have influenced the landmark 1965 album, A Love Supreme.
Who is Alice Coltrane?
African Americans comprise 13% of this U.S. economic statistic.
What is the U.S. labor force?
Granville T. Woods invented this device, a foundational contribution to electrical engineering and a critical tool improving railway safety and communication.
What is the induction telegraph?
This influential civil rights movement figure incorporated ideas from A. Philip Randolph’s activism into a Poor People’s Campaign linking economic justice with civil rights.
Who is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Starring as the child lead in a fantasy-drama film about the flooding of an island in the Louisiana bayou, she became the youngest nominee for the Academy Award for Best Actress in history.
Who is Quvenzhane Wallis?
This west coast saxophone virtuoso is known for his frequent, high-profile collaborations with artists such as Flying Lotus, Herbie Hancock, and Kendrick Lamar; and for his colossal debut solo album released in 2015.
Who is Kamasi Washington?
Comprised of members from 77 national and international unions, this prominent organization represents the interests of Black workers in the United States.
What is the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)?
This Black inventor’s wide-ranging achievements include work on the Galileo space probe, the Air Force stealth bomber, over 80 U.S. patents, and the invention of the Super Soaker water gun.
Who is Lonnie Johnson?
A. Philip Randolph was heavily influenced by the teachings of this sociologist and intellectual.
Who is W.E.B. Du Bois?
In the 1988 Winter Olympics, this renowned figure skater faced down her German rival to the tune of Bizet’s Carmen and became the first African American woman to ever medal in the Winter Games.
Who is Debi Thomas?
Pioneered by collectives such as Parliament-Funkadelic and The Sun Ra Arkestra in the 1970s-80s, this music genre and cultural aesthetic has more recently seen a 21st century boost in popularity thanks to albums such as Janelle Monáe’s Metropolis.
What is Afrofuturism?
The first African American to have a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.
Who is Joseph L. Searles III?