Celebrating Black History Month in the USA

The Tech Industry

Black innovators have had a major impact on the Tech industry over the years. From creating programming languages to developing computer systems, they have revolutionized how we use technology today.

Gladys West

An accomplished African American mathematician and computer scientist played a vital role in the development of navigation technology Born in 1930 in Virginia, United States, a significant part of her career was dedicated solely to the U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the creation of the Global Positioning System (GPS).

West has been honoured for her contributions, including induction into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. She received recognition from esteemed organizations such as the National Black Colleges Alumni Hall of Fame and Virginia Women in History. Her legacy serves as a testament to the impact underrepresented groups have had on technology and science and inspires future generations to follow in her footsteps.

Shirley Jackson

Born in 1946 in Washington D.C., United States, Jackson is known for her ground-breaking research on the electronic properties of two-dimensional systems and the theory of unconventional superconductivity. Not only this but she is also credited with playing a major role in the advancement of communication technology through her pioneering work on optical fiber technology.

In addition to her research, Jackson has made important contributions to the field of education and public policy. She has served as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and as the President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where she was the first African American woman to earn a PhD in physics from MIT, lead the university and the second African American woman to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

In an industry that is predominantly male-dominated and with ethnic minorities receiving fewer opportunities in the early stages of their learning to study STEM, Shirley Jackson is a true inspiration to future generations of black women hoping to pursue careers within tech.

The Life Sciences Industry

The life sciences industry has also made huge advancements over the years that would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the contribution of black innovators.

Dr. David Satcher

One such leader is Dr. David Satcher, who served as both Surgeon General of the United States from 1998 to 2002 and Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from 1993 to 1998. During his time at CDC, he worked tirelessly to promote public awareness about health issues such as childhood obesity, HIV/AIDS prevention, mental health issues and more.

After leaving government service, Dr. Satcher continued to be an influential voice in public health, advocating for policies to improve health equity and reduce health disparities.

Dr. Patricia Bath

Dr. Patricia Bath born November 4, 1942, in Harlem, New York, made history when she became the first African American female doctor to patent a medical invention - her Laserphaco Probe, which removed cataracts from patients’ eyes without surgery or needles.

She was known as not just an ophthalmologist, but an inventor, and activist for patients' rights.

She was also the first woman chair and first female program director of a postgraduate training program in the United States. Bath founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness and the National Eye Care Project. In 1993, Bath retired from the UCLA Medical Center. Bath was inducted into the International Women in Medicine Hall of Fame in 2001.

Highlighting black leadership in any industry is important for encouraging future generations, acknowledging contributions, promoting diversity and inclusiveness, and driving innovation.

At Thor Companies, we fully acknowledge the significance of a diverse workforce and the impact it has on not just the industries we work with but any. We honour the achievements of black leaders in this field and are committed to creating an unbiased workplace where everyone can win together, regardless of race or gender identity.

The inspiring stories shared in this post are only a small representation of the many talented and dedicated Black leaders in the Tech and Life Sciences fields. If you have been moved by any careers, stories, or journeys of Black leaders in the Life Sciences or Technology sectors that were not mentioned in this post, we would be honoured to hear about them and feature them in future articles. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with your thoughts and suggestions.