How Black Geeks Have Made the Past and Shaped the Future

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Alyssa Guzik
November 29, 2023

Dr. Mae Jemison loved the stars from a young age. She was so into space that she was the first African-American female astronaut and guest-starred on Star Trek: The Next Generation as Lieutenant Palmer. She's sharing her nerdy passions with future nerds with her foundations supporting youth in STEM.

Lewis Latimer was the youngest of his siblings but carried the weight of supporting his family on his shoulders. Thankfully, he loved learning math and drawing. His passion led him to create magnificent inventions and to improve upon the work of inventors such as Edison.

Benjamin Benneker was a Renaissance Man, meaning there was nothing he couldn't do. Inventor, writer, mathematician, and astronomer Benneker was a self-taught geek. His astronomical calculations were so on point he predicted a solar eclipse in 1789. He did all of this while publishing anti-slavery, pro-civil rights pamphlets.

Valerie Thomas was always a curious individual. Her interest in math and science started young, and though it wasn't encouraged, she kept pushing herself. Her perseverance led her to a degree in physics, one she used to help build the first satellite to send multi-spectral images to study the Earth's resources from outer space.

These exceptional individuals exemplify our natural brilliance, defying societal limitations while paving the way for future generations of intellectuals to thrive. They help us imagine a future that is Black, liberated, and powerful.

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