Black Excellence in STEM

Engineer and inventor of rotary motor blade for lawn mowers in 1898.

With her husband, she was the first African-American to obtain a doctorate in psychology from Columbia University. 

A pioneer in cancer treatment development, including a chemo delivery method to reach organs without surgery.

Astronomer and surveyor of boundaries for Washington DC. Correspondent with Thomas Jefferson to abolish slavery.

The first Black person enrolled at Iowa State and studied botanicals, including the peanut.

 His invention significantly reduced the cost of hundreds of electronic devices while making them much more reliable.

Member of the team that discovered Elements 104 and 105 on the Periodic Table of Elements.

In 1958, became NASA’s first Black female engineer.

 In 1969 he was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois.

This person was the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Michigan in 1972

Chemist who developed the first successful treatment for those suffering from Hansen’s disease (leprosy).

This person is the host of NOVA ScienceNow and the StarTalk Radio podcast.

Confirmed, by hand, Astronaut John Glenn's landing coordinates in 1962 NASA space mission.

Black chemist pioneering chemical synthesis to aid in glaucoma and arthritis relief.

Zoologist who was the first person to discover that insects can hear and alter behavior based on previous experience.

She significantly contributed to skin cancer research and the role melanin plays in protecting the skin.

Biologist who pioneered the development of physiology and human development

She is the first African-American woman to have earned a doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

One of the first Black women to receive a patent for improvements to the ironing board.

One of the first Black women to obtain a patent from the United States government in 1885, for the cabinet bed.

The first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States.

This person helped design the hovercraft used for night fighting during the Vietnam War.

The first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in zoology.

Physical therapist who invented the Portable Receptacle Support, allows amputees to eat in an easy, upright position.

She is the first African - American woman in space.

Top computer security officer known for her work at Apple, Fastly, Intel and Mozilla, currently at Square, Inc.

Famous Astrophysicist

The first Black female physician to receive a patent for a medical invention: a laser to aid in cataract removal.

He was the first African American to earn a doctorate degree (in ANY subject) in the United States. His was in Physics.

He is the first Black man to receive a doctorate in chemistry in the United States.

Second Black woman to receive a patent from the U. S. government for her invention of a gong and signal chair.