Black scientists

Dr. Lloyd Noel Ferguson was one of the leading Black chemists of his era, paving the way for future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scholars at a time where his talents were almost overlooked. Dr. Ferguson is responsible for a pair of significant firsts which helped break barriers and gave rise to what became […]

Emmett Chappelle was a scientist and inventor who brought forth a wealth of innovation to the masses by way of his extensive research. The Phoenix, Ariz. native was born October 24, 1925. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER:  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM Chappelle served in the Army during World War II before earning his […]

Neil deGrasse Tyson has learned after a tweet that pointing out truths is not always helpful. The astrophysicist and author apologized Monday for a Sunday tweet in which he noted more people died in less attention-getting ways in the same two-day period as a pair of mass shootings. In the past 48hrs, the USA horrifically […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson says he will cooperate fully with an “impartial investigation” into allegations of sexual misconduct that have been leveled against him. Patheos.com recently published accounts from two women who say that Tyson behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner toward them. Tyson was host of “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” […]

Dr. Herman Branson was a pioneering physicist who helped uncover the mysteries of the alpha helix protein structure, although his contributions beyond science were also of note. Dr. Branson was also a champion of educational equity and used his influence to convince President Richard Nixon to increase federal aid to Black colleges in the early […]

INSTITUTE, W.Va. (AP) — Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician whose calculations helped astronauts return to Earth, is being honored at her alma mater with a bronze statue and a scholarship in her name. West Virginia State University says a dedication ceremony is planned for Aug. 25, the day before Johnson’s 100th birthday. Long before the […]

NASA Astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps has been abruptly grounded. Epps was on track to become the first African-American to travel through space and live on the International Space Station for an extended six-month assignment. But now that Epps has been abruptly pulled from the NASA mission, Epps’ brother says “racism” is the reason why his […]

James Harris was a chemist who was part of an American team of researchers that discovered the elements 104 and 105, the first African-American to do so in the capacity. Harris, who attended Texas HBCU Huston-Tillotson University, was also the only member of his team to not have a doctorate degree. James Andrew Harris was […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Prominent astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has a suggestion for anyone with a view of next week’s solar eclipse: Put down your smartphone and take in the phenomenon yourself. Tyson told an audience at the American Museum of Natural History on Monday: “Experience this one emotionally, psychologically, physically.” The Aug. 21 event […]

Katherine G. Johnson, a mathematical genius and early computing pioneer, used her love of numbers to create the pathway to one of the brightest careers in the sciences. Ms. Johnson was a part of a pair of NASA’s notable programs, and contributed greatly to the development of space exploration. Her story and that of her […]

Dr. Herbert Smitherman Sr. was an innovative chemist who worked for the major consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble. While some thought Smitherman was the inventor of Crest Toothpaste, Folgers Coffee and other products, he actually helped to improve these already established products. Smitherman was born and raised in Birmingham, Ala. on March 23, 1937, […]

Dr. Henry Thomas Sampson Jr. is the first Black person to earn a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering. Though Dr. Thomas has been incorrectly named as the inventor of the modern cell phone, one of his inventions did go on to inspire technology that powers the devices. Sampson was born in Jackson, Miss. in 1934. Graduating […]