Dr. Arlyne Simon is a biomedical engineer, patented inventor, and author of children’s literature. She was born in 1986 on the Caribbean Island of Dominica to Beverly Stedman-Andrew, a primary school teacher, and Lionel Simon, a civil engineer. Simon earned a Ph.D. in macromolecular science … Read MoreArlyne Simon (1986- )
This entry is for juvenile audiences. To see the full version of this entry, click here. Who are they: Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space during her flight on the STS-47, Spacelab-J in September of 1992. Why are they important to … Read MoreMae C. Jemison (1956- ) [Children’s Edition]
NASA scientist Hildreth “Hal” Walker, Jr. is most known for leading the team that used a laser to measure the distance between the earth and the moon for NASA during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. After astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set up … Read MoreHildreth “Hal” Walker, Jr. (1933- )
Edwina Justus, also known as “Curlie,” is the first African American woman locomotive engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. She was born on July 11, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska to Lee Chaney and Caldonia Isaiah Chaney. As a young child she attended Brown Park Elementary … Read MoreEdwina “Curlie” Justus (1943- )
John Brooks Slaughter is an electrical engineer, retired university president, college professor, and the first African American to serve as the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Slaughter was born on March 16, 1934 in Topeka, Kansas to Reuben Brooks Slaughter, a laborer, and … Read MoreJohn Brooks Slaughter (1934- )
Emma Reed (Wright) was born on May 30, 1925 on the family farm in rural Redwood, Mississippi to parents Sallie and Smith Reed. She grew up on the farm but attended Coleman High School in Greenville, Mississippi, graduating in 1943. She then enrolled in Tennessee … Read MoreEmma Reed (1925-2014)
Aerospace engineer Wesley Leroy Harris was born on October 29, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia. His parents, Rosa Minor and William Harris, were both workers in local tobacco factories. Harris graduated from Richmond’s Armstrong High School in 1960. He then married his high school sweetheart and … Read MoreDr. Wesley Leroy Harris (1941- )
On November 3, 1970, in Syracuse, New York, Jeanette J. Epps was born to parents Henry and Luberta Epps. She was born, with her twin sister, Janet, as the youngest of seven with two other sisters and three brothers. Epps graduated from Thomas J. Corcoran High … Read MoreJeanette J. Epps (1970- )
African American engineer, architect, and mathematician Archie Alphonso Alexander was born on May 14, 1888 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the oldest of Price Alexander’s and Mary Hamilton Alexander’s nine children. In order to help his educational opportunities, when he was 11 years old Alexander’s family moved … Read MoreArchie Alphonso Alexander (1888-1958)
Ursula Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Xerox, began life in a lower east side housing project in New York City. Burns was born on September 20, 1958 to a single mom. She was sent to Catholic school as a child to get the best education … Read MoreUrsula Burns (1958- )
