As February unfolds, we're thrilled to kick off a special series in celebration of Black History Month, a time to honor the significant contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. Today, we're excited to chat with James Howard, the Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame (BIHOF).

James Howard wears many hats: he is a college professor, design historian, entrepreneur, industrial designer, inventor, and restaurateur. He brings more than 25 years of teaching experience in design and has created a course on Design Thinking and Design History, examining how design influences society.

An inventor in his own right, James has 20 patents under his belt. His most recent project involves launching Entrepreneurial U, the first Design Thinking school in Morris County.

We take a fascinating look at vital contributions by African Americans that were frequently overlooked or not publicized. James' passion for science, patents, inventions, and immortalizing these achievements and contributions is contagious in this enlightening and informative episode.

In This Episode:

[01:52] James shares his initial inspiration for the Black Inventors Hall of Fame. 

[03:19] He noticed a 2016 issue of Time Magazine that featured America's top 100 inventors. There wasn't a single black inventor mentioned until the very end. 

[05:09] Four years later he opened the Black Inventors Hall of Fame.

[05:59] He's designing a building to immortalize the contribution of black inventors over the last 400 years.

[07:10]  African-American, Charles Frederick Page patented the first airship before the Wright Brothers. Charles Henry Turner was one of the earliest pioneers in this country studying the cognitive quality of animals.

[11:00] James highlights inductees including Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, Dr. Charles Drew, Dr. Patricia Bath and Lonnie Johnson who invented the Super Soaker and more amazing inventors. 

[16:09] James gives us more details about the museum including who the different halls are named after and the stories they will tell.

[16:38] He also explains a program called A Moment In Time which will give holographic images of the inventors as they tell their story.

[19:39] There's also going to be a STEM Learning Center which focuses on teaching technology to underserved individuals and kids. Tuition free. 

[19:57] There's also going to be a Maker Station and an incubator for entrepreneurs. There will also be a theater to tell the stories through film.

[22:40] James talks about the Future Black Innovators Initiative.

[26:35] The vision will be shared over three distinct eras including the early innovators, the golden era of innovation, and the modern era of innovation.

[31:44] We learn about the vision of the learning center from whiteboards to 3D printers to the encouragement of open thinking.

[34:03] Reach out to James if you are interested in helping with the museum. Reach out if you're interested in researching, finding artifacts, or sharing information about an inventor whose story needs to be told.

Resources: 

Black Inventors Hall of Fame

James Howard Black Inventors Leadership Team

James Howard LinkedIn

Entrepreneurial U, Morris County’s First School Of Design Thinking

Charles Frederick Page

Charles Henry Turner