The Faces of Science:
African Americans in the Sciences
The Past: "What Has Happened Before?"
Profiled here are African American men and women who have contributed to the advancement of science and engineering. The accomplishments of the past and present can serve as pathfinders to present and future engineers and scientists. African American chemists, biologists, inventors, engineers, and mathematicians have contributed in both large and small ways that can be overlooked when chronicling the history of science. By describing the scientific history of selected African American men and women we can see how the efforts of individuals have advanced human understanding in the world around us.
Alphabetical Index to the Profiles Listed in "The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences"
Index of People Index by Profession
 | Women Scientists Women profiled. |
 | First Science Ph.D.s awarded to African Americans
First African Americans who earned doctoral degrees in science, mathematics, and engineering. |
| Mathematicians | Computer Scientists | Meteorologists | Medical |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Benjamin Banneker
Sister Mary S. Deconge
Annie Easley
Evelyn Boyd Granville
Katherine G. Johnson
Percy A. Pierre Louis W. Roberts J. Ernest Wilkins Scott Williams Other Mathematicians
|
Clarence A. "Skip" Ellis
Annie Easley
Philip Emeagwali Roscoe C. Giles Bryant W. York Other Computer Scientists Computer Scientists of the African Diaspora Developed by Dr. Scott Williams, Professor of Mathematics, SUNY-Buffalo |
Charles E. Anderson
June Bacon-Bercey
Bryan Busby E. Don Sarreals James Tilmon Warren Washington |
Benjamin S. Carson
Source: Academy of Achievement Rebecca J. Cole
Albert G. Crenshaw Charles R. Drew Mae C. Jemison
Roscoe L. Koontz Samuel L. Kountz William A. Hinton Lovell A. Jones Maurice Rabb Vivien T. Thomas Daniel Hale Williams |
The Present: "Where is the Leadership Coming From?"
Electronic Conferences dealing with African Americans in the Sciences
List of Electronic
ConferencesScience Ph.D.s Awarded to U.S. African Americans, 1870-1999
Source Data:African American Science Ph.D.s 1860-1960 |
Source Data: African American Science Ph.D. 1960-1969 |
- Source Data: Ph.D. Degree Supplement Data
- Latest: Science and Engineering Doctorate Awards:
2000 (NSF 02-305)
- Source Data:HBCU Chemistry Supplement --
Chemistry Ph.D.s granted by historically black colleges and universities.
- Directory of Graduate Research 1993, American Chemical Society.
- Source Data: Breakdown of African American Science Ph.D.'s issued between 1860-1969 ( Text Version 5K)
- James M. Jay Negroes in Sciences: Natural Science Doctorates,
1876-1969., 1977.
Bibliographies for Research on African Americans in Science and Technology
Minorities in the Sciences: A Guide to Selected References no.119
A guide to selected resources for the history, participation, and encouragement of minorities in the sciences.
Social Science and Historical Resources for Research on African-Americans: A Selected Bibliography
Bibliography of sources for social science and historical research on African Americans, prepared by Rosie L. Albritton, Ph.D.,Library and Information Science Program, Wayne State University. Presented at AFRITECH '95 electronic conference, January 20-22, 1995.
Technology and the African-American Experience
Bibliography of sources for Technology and the role of African Americans in education and scientific exploration. Compiled by Dr. Amy Bix, Program in the History of Technology and Science, Iowa State University, June 1994. Material for the bibliography contributed by Rosie L. Albritton, Jonathan Coopersmith, F. Elaine DeLancy, John Douard, Mark S. Frankel (AAAS), Steven J. Hoffman, Laura Kramer, Ed Morman, Richard Sclove, Bayla Singer, R. Samuel Winningham. Presented at AFRITECH '95 electronic conference, January 20-22, 1995.
The Future: "What is Being Done?"
Conclusions
Excerpt from: Graduate Educational Opportunities for African Americans in Chemistry.
The disproportionately low numbers of African American students enrolled in and graduating from chemistry graduate programs undoubtedly reflect a complex interplay of numerous and well known socio-economic forces, some of which cause (or result in) race and gender bias in education at all levels.
However, we contend, based on our experience in this department, that these numbers do NOT reflect any lack of inherent capability in chemistry by African Americans. The twenty [African American] students engaged in chemistry graduate studies at LSU, the majority of whom attended undergraduate HBCU's, are succeeding in all facets of the program at rates which are as good as or better than the other 90 graduate students. We believe their success is due to many factors, including the existence of a faculty role model, general faculty commitment to strong mentoring, a solid peer group, and a generally heterogeneous and divers graduate student population.
With proper undergraduate preparation, and in the right graduate environment, African Americans can and will become tomorrow's leading chemists in industry, education and research.
Graduate Educational Opportunities for African Americans in Chemistry. Steven Watkins and Isiah M. Warner
Department of Chemistry,
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Professor Steven Watkins, Professor
- Professor Isiah M. Warner, West Professor and former department chair
Sources Used in Preparing this Display
Usage Statistics for this page and for all documents (PDF) (GIF).
Usage Report -- Use of Internet Documents from "The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences" Web Site
Other Reports: Annual Report
1995 -- Annual Report
1996 -- Annual Report
1997 -- Annual Report
1998 -- Annual Report
1999
Awards and Acknowledgements
Copyright © 1995-2000
Comments/Suggestions: Mitchell C. Brown
The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences
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