Category: Black Scientist Highlights

Gladys West

“Always doing things just right, to set an example for others who were coming behind me, especially women.” Gladys West was born on Oct. 27, 1930 in Sutherland, VA to a rural farming family. Facing financial and racial barriers, West needed to walk 3 miles to a one room schoolhouse as a kid, but quickly …

Emmett W. Chappelle

American scientist inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for groundbreaking work in bioluminescence.

Mae C. Jemison

“You have the right to be involved. You have something important to contribute, and you have to take the risk to contribute it.” – Mae Jemison

James Andrew Harris

“The greatest people will be those who possess the best capacities, cultivated with the best habits.” – James Andrew Harris

Percy Lavon Julian

“It was then that I made my vow that I would forever fight to keep hope alive because there is always a way out.” – Percy Lavon Julian

Marie Maynard Daly

“Courage is like – it’s a habitus, a habit, a virtue: you get it by courageous acts. It’s like you learn to swim by swimming.” – Marie M. Daly

Walter Lincoln Hawkins

“If you fight hard, know who you are, and are proud of who you are, you’ve got a good chance of winning” – Walter Lincoln Hawkins