People, Locations, Episodes

Black History, the ‘Hela Cell’, and Cancer Research

October is national Brest Cancer awareness month, and the HeLa cancer cell discovered in 1951 is celebrated on this dates Registry.

Life is studied at the atomic and molecular scale in molecular biology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics. At the level of the cell, it is studied in cell biology. In biological and medical research, a HeLa cell is a cell which is derived from cervical cancer cells. A HeLa cell was taken from an African American woman named Henrietta Lacks.

The George Washington Carver National Monument is Dedicated

The George Washington Carver National Monument was dedicated on this date in 1953, in Diamond, Missouri, although it was established ten years earlier (1943).

The monument recognizes Carver’s outstanding achievements as a scientist, educator, and humanitarian. Although Dr. Carver spent only 10 to 12 years on the Diamond Grove farm in Missouri, the area and community greatly influenced the course of his life. It was here that Carver was born into slavery and orphaned as an infant. Yet, he grew up with a love and appreciation of nature that would sustain him throughout his life.

Beverly Daniel Tatum, Psychologist born

*Beverly Daniel Tatum was born on this date in 1954. She is a Black psychologist, administrator, author, and educator. Beverly Christine Daniel was born in Tallahassee, Florida. Her parents were Catherine Faith Maxwell and Robert A. Daniel. Tatum grew up in Bridgewater, Mass. Her family, including her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, attended the Tuskegee Institute […]

Ophelia Garmon-Brown, Physician, and Community Activist born

*Ophelia Garmon-Brown was born on this date in 1954. She was a doctor (family medicine specialist), minister, author, and community activist. Ophelia Garmon was a Detroit native who moved to eastern North Carolina with her family. Her interest in medicine began when her father died from encephalitis. She earned a degree in biology from North […]

Sharon Barnes, Chemist, and Inventor born

*Sharon Barnes was born on this date in 1955. She is a Black chemist, biologist, and inventor. Born in Beaumont, Texas, she is the daughter of Selena and William Jefferson McDonald. She attended Sisblee High School, where she received three scholarships to attend college. In 1978, Barnes received her B.S. in biology, chemistry, and clinical […]

Bernard Harris, Doctor, and Astronaut born

Bernard A. Harris, Jr., was born on this date in 1956. He is an African American scientist, surgeon, and former NASA astronaut.

Born in Temple, TX, he is the son of Mrs. Gussie H. Burgess, and Mr. Bernard A. Harris, Sr. He graduated from Sam Houston High School, San Antonio, in 1974, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Houston in 1978. In 1982, Harris received his doctorate in medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine.

Mae Jemison, Astronaut, and Physician born

Mae Carol Jemison was born on this date in 1956. She is an African American astronaut and physician.

She was born in Decatur, Alabama, but raised in Chicago, the youngest of three children. Her parents, Dorothy and Charlie Jemison, encouraged, stimulated, and supported the many interest of their children. Young Mae Carol Jemison loved to read and to dance. She enjoyed science fiction, pure science, and learning about the formation of the universe. She graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1973, and entered Stanford University as a scholarship student, all at age 16.

Regina Benjamin, Physician born

*Regina Benjamin was born on this date in 1956.  She is a Black Vice Admiral, physician, and former United States Surgeon General.  From Mobile, Alabama, Regina Marcia Benjamin attended Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, where she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also a member of the second class […]

Mamie Parker, Biologist born

*Dr. Mamie Parker was born on this date in 1958. She is an African American biologist, environmentalist and administrator.

The Electronic Resistor is Patented by a Black Man

*On this date in 1961, an African American man patented an electronic resistor. His name was Otis Boykin, a black electronic scientist, inventor, and designer.

He is best known for his invention of the heart pacemaker. He issued the resistor with patent number 2,972,726. The electronic resistor is used in many radios, computers, televisions and other electronically controlled devises.

Charles Drew University is Founded

*The founding of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science happened on this date in 1966. Originally the Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School (later Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science) has evolved and grown since it’s beginning.

Debi Thomas, Olympic Skater, and Surgeon born

*Debi Thomas was born on this date in1967. She was an African American figure skater, and is a surgeon and community activist.

The Exhaust Purifier is Patented by a Black Man

On this date in 1968 Rufus Stokes patented an Exhaust Purifier.

This African American inventor filed for the patent 3,378,241 two years earlier.
At the time he was working at working at R.S. Engineering Company, Inc., Chicago, Ill.

Benet Omalu, Physician and Forensic Pathologist born.

*Bennet Omalu was born on this date in 1968. He is a Black Nigerian-American physician, forensic pathologist, and neuropathologist. Bennet Ifeakandu Omalu is of Igbo ancestry and was born in Njikoka, Anambra, in southeastern Nigeria. The sixth of seven siblings, he was born during the Nigerian Civil War, which caused his family to flee from their […]

The Association Of Black Psychologists is Formed

On this date in 1968, the Registry celebrates the founding of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPSi).

A group of black psychologists from across the country Started it in San Francisco. ABPSi united to address the problems facing black psychologists and the larger black community. Led by the principle of self determination, these psychologists built an organization to address the long-neglected needs of black professionals. Their goal was to have a positive effect upon the mental health of the larger black community through planning, programs, services, training, and advocacy.