From designing aircraft and decoding outer space to pioneering AI and animation, Black innovators have been quietly building the tech world we live in today. While many names never make it into textbooks, their impact is felt every time we use GPS, stream videos, or collaborate online.
Walt Braithwaite helped revolutionize Boeing’s aircraft design using computer-aided design (CAD) systems, opening the door for software-based engineering across industries. Elijah McCoy, the son of former slaves, patented a lubrication device so crucial to machinery that it inspired the phrase the real McCoy. And Ursula Burns made history as the first Black woman to become CEO of a Fortune 500 company, transforming Xerox from a copier giant into a digital service powerhouse.
Breaking into big tech
Black women have also broken barriers in some of tech’s most influential spaces. Dr. Gladys West’s calculations laid the groundwork for GPS. Dr. Lisa Gelobter helped create GIF technology and was a key force behind Shockwave and Hulu. NASA engineer Dr. Aprille Ericsson advanced satellite missions, while Valerie Thomas’s invention of the illusion transmitter helped shape 3D imaging and virtual reality.
The list goes on, with leaders like Roy Clay Sr., Ayanna Howard, and Dr. Timnit Gebru all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in tech. What ties them all together isn’t just brilliance—it’s resilience. Each overcame systemic barriers to redefine innovation on their own terms.
If you’re thinking about your future in tech or wondering where you fit in, let this be proof that you belong. These stories aren’t just about the past. They’re a roadmap. And the next chapter? That’s yours to write.
Explore, ask questions, build something. The world needs your ideas—and your version of what comes next.
Key Takeaways
Black innovators have played a pivotal role in shaping modern technology—from aerospace to artificial intelligence—while overcoming systemic barriers.
- Impact – Black innovators have left an indelible mark on the tech industry, driving critical advancements like GPS and AI, even though their contributions often go unnoticed.
- Action – We can support and uplift underrepresented voices in tech by actively championing diversity, inclusion, and recognizing these unsung heroes.
- Empowerment – Embrace the legacy of resilience and innovation by pursuing careers in technology, breaking down barriers, and forging the future of our tech landscape.
