As noted on History.com, President Gerald Ford officially recognized the month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, it is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of Black Americans across U.S. history and society, from civil rights pioneers to leaders in industry, science, culture and more.
In partnership with the College of Engineering, we wanted to recognize several Black alumni whose historic contributions continue to be a source of inspiration today.