Find inspiration from Black innovators

Learn about Black inventors and entrepreneurs and their impact on society

Read about Black innovators who overcame numerous challenges to improve the economic, scientific, and social conditions of all Americans in our monthly Journeys of Innovation series.

Browse all stories below, or search for a name or story title.

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Portraits of John Harold Johnson (middle), Eunice Johnson (right), and Harry Pace (left) are placed in the center of a graphic.
John H. Johnson
John Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, built his media empire one small dream at a time. Full Story >
a 19th century black and white portrait of a very studious Black man wearing glasses superimposed in an image of documents on a drafting table
Lewis Latimer
Lewis Latimer overcame racism, educational challenges to play an integral role in many key inventions that we use today. Full Story >
Surgeon and researcher Dr. Charles Drew sitting in front of a microscope while wearing a white lab coat.
Dr. Charles Drew
Dr. Charles Drew was a renowned surgeon, researcher, and blood preservation pioneer Full Story >
Photos of Robert Pelham and Miriam Benjamin and James Wormley’s U.S. patent no. 242,091 for a life saving apparatus overlaid on a detailed, colorized map of Washington, D.C.
James Wormley, Miriam Benjamin, and Robert Pelham
Three inventors and the community they called home Full Story >
Garrett Morgan with a medal pinned to his suit jacket alongside drawings from his smoke hood and traffic signal patent
Garrett Morgan
One inventor's quest to build a safer and stronger community Full Story >
Portrait of Dr. Robert Bryant smiling and in a white button up shirt with a blue lanyard
Dr. Robert Bryant
Chemist finds success through adversity by relying on values Full Story >
Black and white photos of Henry Baker and George Washington Murray, two African American men wearing suits and ties, with a handwritten list of inventors and their patents in the background
Henry Baker and George Washington Murray
Documenting the history of Black innovation one name at a time Full Story >
Three women with dark tan skin, brown hair, and long neutral-colored long sleeve tops smiling at a dinner table set with food, wine, and flowers.
Tanya Bryant
How Tanya Bryant started a family business after retirement Full Story >
In a white lab coat, Dr. Patricia Bath smiles into the camera.
Patricia Bath
How Patricia Bath, physician and inventor, made it from Harlem to the Hall of Fame Full Story >
Lanny Smoot smiles while twisting a knob on a large machine as a Walt Disney Company employee
Lanny Smoot
With over 100 patents, Lanny Smoot turns the imaginary into reality. Full Story >
Arlyne Simon stands in front of two body scan images.
Arlyne Simon
Words of wisdom from a woman in STEM on how to encourage young innovators. Full Story >
Headshot of Marian Croak
Marian Croak
Marian Croak is a pioneer in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the inventor of text-to-donate technology. Full Story >
A man in a white coat works with equipment in a laboratory.
Percy Julian
A scientist makes inroads in chemistry and civil rights. Full Story >
Shawn Springs holds two helmets and poses in front of a wall of helmets.
Shawn Springs
Former NFL cornerback Shawn Springs tackles a new venture: impact protection. Full Story >
Jim West in a laboratory with three of his graduate students.
Jim West
Highly regarded as an acoustic scientist, inventor Jim West is also a devoted mentor and advocate of diversity in STEM. Full Story >
Image: Johnson plays around with a Super Soaker® while wearing a shirt patterned with images of his famous creation.
Lonnie Johnson
How eight years of hard work led to the 'overnight success' of the Super Soaker®. Full Story >