African-American History Month

1. African-AmericanHistory Month

2. Did you know? • The lives of Black Americans were not studied or included in history until the early 1900’s • In 1915 Dr. Carter G. Woodson started the “Association of Negro Life and History”

3. Did you also know… • In 1926 as a forum to share information Dr. Woodson started, “Negro History Week” • The second week in February was chosen to honor Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas whose birth dates are that week

4. By the 1970’s the week long celebration became a month long celebration of African-American accomplishments and contributions to society and the world.

5. Fostering environments that are inclusive and welcoming include being aware of, celebrating, and recognizing the contributions of all people and cultures.

6. Benjamin Banneker Inventor, Agriculturalist, Writer, City Planner * Born in 1731 near Baltimore, Maryland, the son of a slave * After studying a wrist watch, Banneker built the first clock ever in the United States. * Grew grain in previously barren areas to feed American troops during the Revolutionary War * Developed his first almanac, predicting weather/seasonal changes * Extremely involved in the initial layout of streets and buildings in Washington D.C.

7. George Washington Carver, Jr. Former Slave, Educator, Scientist * B.S. from Iowa State College in Agriculture (1894): M.S. (1896) * His research developed 325 products from peanuts, 108 applications for sweet potatoes, and 75 products from pecans. * He developed 118 industrial applications from agricultural products, including a rubber substitute and over 500 dyes/pigments from 28 different plants.

8. Ida Stephens Owen Biochemist * Received Ph.D. in Biology-Physiology from Duke University in 1967. * At the National Institutes of Health (NIH) she conducts studies in the genetics of detoxification enzymes, research that is aimed at shedding light on how the human body defends itself against poison. * Currently is with the Section of Genetic Disorders of Drug Metabolism, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

9. Charles Henry Turner Zoologist and Entomologist * Credited for being the first researcher to prove that insects can hear and can also distinguish pitch * His research determined that roaches can learn by trial and error * This exploration into insect learning systems gave Turner the distinction of being an authority on behavioral patterns of ants and spiders.

10. Norbert Rillieux Sugar Chemist and Inventor * Invented a sugar refining process that reduced the time, cost, and safety risk involved in producing sugar from cane and beets. * "It was stated by Charles Brown, a chemist in the US Department of Agriculture, that [Rillieux's invention of the sugar processing pan] was the greatest invention in the history of American Chemical Engineering." (Simmons)

11. Joseph Lee Inventor * Born in 1849 and lived most of his life in Boston, becoming very prominent in the food services industry * Invented and patented a device to automate tearing, crumbling and grinding bread into bread crumbs thus using bread that would have been wasted * Invented the first automatic bread making machine

12. Ernest Everett Just Zoologist, Biologist, Physiologist, Research Scientist * Graduated from Dartmouth College in 1907 with special honors in botany and sociology. * In 1924 Dr. Just was selected by a group of German biologists to contribute to a monograph on fertilization. * His inherent ability, scientific training, creative imagination, and industry were the basis for success in his field of zoology.

13. Lloyd Augustus Hall Chemist and Inventor * Responsible for the meat curing products, seasonings, emulsions, bakery products, antioxidants, protein hydrolysates, and many other products to retain food freshness and flavor * After his retirement, be became a consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

14. Henry Blair Inventor * The second Black inventor issued a patent by the United States Patent Office * His first invention was a seed planter which enabled farmers to plant more corn utilizing less labor in a smaller period of time. * Two years later, in 1836, Blair received a second patent for a corn harvester.

15. Granville T. Woods Inventor * Patented over 35 electrical and mechanical inventions. * Born in Columbus, Ohio in April 23, 1856, Woods literally learned his skills on the job. * Woods invented the Synchonous Multiplex Railway Telegraph which allowed trains to communicate with stations, averting many accidents. * Other inventions included egg incubators and advancements on air brakes.

16. Leon Raymon Roddy Entomologist * Born in 1922 and received his Bachelor of Science from Texas College and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. * Professor at Southern University, Baton Rouge. Louisiana. * His research interest is the classifications of spiders.

17. George Murray Teacher, Farmer, Land Developer & Inventor * Born in South Carolina in 1853 and spent his first 13 years as a slave * Attended South Carolina University and the State Normal Institute * For the next 20 years served as a teacher and customs inspector * Elected as U.S. Congressman in 1892 * Secured patents for 8 inventions, including cultivating and fertilizing equipment and a cotton chopper