By Dr. Neville Holder

Science profoundly affects virtually every aspect of our national and daily lives; it is the foundation on which this country is built. Practically all areas of economic growth are based on developments in science and technology. Ever since the foundation of this country, men and women of all races, colors, and creeds have contributed to advances in science and modern technology. However, the scientific ingenuity of African Descendants has been mostly overlooked and, therefore, largely omitted from the scientific histories of the world. It is as if the scientific community has denied the fact that people of African descent have always had intelligent and inquiring minds.

Unrecognized Genius

Once in a survey that was designed to document the inventions of people of African descent, some of the responders claimed they “never heard of colored inventors,” and others believed that colored people couldn’t invent “anything”. Because of this attitude, it is reasonable to assume that there are many valuable inventions that have been patented by African American
inventors for which the race will never receive due credit. Contrary to the statements mentioned in the survey, people of African descent, especially African Americans have invented, experimented, discovered, and have passed on to others for centuries their expertise in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and medicine.

 

Dr. Neville L. Holder  Retired Research Chemist

Dr. Neville L. Holder Retired Research Chemist

Dr. Neville Holder is a distinguished chemist with over 40 years of expertise in column chromatography. His passion for chemistry began with a curiosity about natural remedies in his youth. He earned his Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Waterloo, following honors degrees in chemistry and mathematics from the University of the West Indies. Later, he expanded his expertise with a master’s in regulatory affairs from Temple University.