Black Inventors had MENTORS

Technological advancement has had a profound impact on our way of life, including the ways in which we work and communicate. Inventions that have improved communication and productivity have made the world a better, more livable place. Technologies like the wheel and the Internet have paved the way for social and economic development.

The adage, “necessity is the mother of invention” is relevant because disenfranchised Blacks have always been on the cutting edge of innovation.

Black entrepreneur and innovator Garrett Morgan is credited with creating both the stop sign and the gas mask. Granville T. Woods, an African-American inventor and electrical engineer, created the telephone switchboard in 1892. As a result of his innovation, multiple users can now share a single telephone line, laying the groundwork for the sophisticated system we have today.

Dr. Charles Drew, a Black physician and re-searcher, came up with the idea of a blood bank in the 1930s. Frederick McKinley Jones, an African-American scientist and engineer, created the first portable refrigerator in 1935.

Lonnie Johnson, a Black inventor and engineer, created the Super Soaker in 1990. His innovation revolutionized water guns and was an instant hit with consumers of all ages.

Gerald Lawson is widely recognized as an early innovator in the video game industry due to his development of the first video game console to use removable cartridges. The first graphical mouse was created by Ray Thompson, a computer engineer and inventor.

Many other similar technological advances have been made by people of African descent, but these are just a few. Black inventors and innovators have made substantial contributions to numerous fields, including medicine, transportation, and communication.

Mentoring programs that prepare young people for work in the many fields related to information and communication technologies are proven to be beneficial. Technology encourages new ideas and has the potential to influence the direction of future innovation.

Although Blacks make up about 13% of the total U.S. population, they only make up about 7% of the tech workforce.

For today’s and tomorrow’s youth to enter and succeed in in-demand fields like technology, mentorship is crucial. In today’s rapidly developing, technologically driven society, equipping young people with the tools they need to actively shape the future of innovation and invention is essential.

Tech has changed the way we live, work, and communicate, and that trend is only going to quicken. The future can be shaped in countless ways by technological advancements, from artificial intelligence (AI) to virtual reality (VR). From software engineering and cybersecurity to robotics and automation, the tech industry is rife with exciting career opportunities. However, many young people, especially those from marginalized populations, need these fields to be more accessible.

In cases like these, a mentor can be a great asset. Young people who show an interest in technology can gain from a mentor’s guidance, support, and connections. In order to thrive, young people need access to reliable resources, such as a guide. A mentor’s ability to make introductions to important contacts, internships, and job openings can be invaluable in a field where on-the-job experience and networking are often just as important as academic credentials.

A young person can only succeed in today’s world if they have access to the resources, knowledge, networks, and support system that a mentor can provide. By investing in the next generation of young people through mentoring, we can ensure that technological advancements in the future are accessible to all. That’s how we mold and establish identities.

What’s stopping you from having a group of kids follow you around for a day? Or pay for a child to go to a STEM camp, or lead a robotics club?

It takes just a little bit of your time, energy, and money to plant the seeds for tomorrow’s most groundbreaking discoveries. A new chapter in the history of African Americans could be created with that modest expenditure.