Did you know Katherine Johnson was one of the first women to work at NASA? She was a member of the Space Task Group. In 1960 she coauthored a paper with one of the group’s engineers about calculations for placing a spacecraft into orbit. It was the first time a woman in her division received credit as an author of a research report.
Black History 365 | # 75 Sylvia Robinson
Did you know a black woman, Sylvia Robinson is the Godmother of Hip-Hop? At least within the industry…conceiving and producing the first successful rap record in the summer of 1979, “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang. That record singlehandedly transformed the genre from a regional activity to commercially viable art form. We can thank her for that.
Black History 365 | # 73 Patrice Lumumba
Referred to by Malcolm X as “the greatest Black man who ever walked across the African continent.” Patrice Lumumba was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo — an anti-colonist, anti-imperialist, & pan-africanist whose efforts were short lived, he was assassinated at the hands of The CIA & Belgium less than 7 months after the Congolese gained independence. In 1955 he became regional president of a Congolese trade union of government employees, this union was not affiliate with the main Belgian federations. So, in 1956 he was invited to a study tour in Belgium which he intended & was arrested immediately after returning to the Congo. With charges of embezzlement. He served a 12-month sentence and upon freedom he launched the Congolese National Movement, the first nationwide political party in the Congo. His speech at the All-African People’s Conference in 1958 ignited all the people who attended. The Belgium government saw this fire for independence on the rise across the continent and in 1960 held general elections for the Congo as a way to smother this fire. Lumumba’s Congolese National Movement boycotted this election and many Congolese did as well. This resulted in the murdering of 30 Congolese in Kisangani (Stanleyville under colonist rule) and Lumumba was arrested on charges of inciting a riot. The Congolese National Movement decided to change direction and join the election race which they did, and they won with a 90% vote. Upon winning they demanded the release of Lumumba. And Belgium forces released him. This all resulted in the Congo gaining independence in June 1960. Just six months later he was imprisoned and executed by firing squad.
Black History 365 | # 72 Dr. Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Johnson is an engineer who invented the Super Soaker (which has generated over $1 billion in sales over its lifetime). He developed the toy after-hours while working as an engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. He saw the promise of his super-powered water pistol and persuaded executives at Larami, a company that made knock-off toys, to produce his invention and pay him royalties. Even though that’s the invention he is most known for his accomplishments are well beyond water gun design. He enrolled at Tuskegee University and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. While with the Air Force, he got his first patent, for an invention he called the “Digital Distance Measuring Instrument.” It was an early version of DVD-reading technology. He recalls it as a missed opportunity because he didn’t pursue it further. He’s currently active on TikTok right now @drlonniejohnson looking like a bag of money. Nuff Respect.
Black History 365 | # 71 Betty Davis
Did you know the second wife of Miles Davis was a badass in her own right? She was a model, singer, songwriter, & she heavily influenced Miles’ creative direction on Bitches Brew. Born Betty Gray Mabry her college years she was enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology, but by night she was performing, meeting musicians like Jimi Hendrix (who she actually introduced Miles to) & Sly Stone. She also worked as a model for Ebony, Glamour, and Seventeen magazines. Now called The Queen of Funk, Ms. Davis died in her home in Homestead, Pennsylvania on February 9, 2022, She was 77.