Notable Figures
The inventors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and activists who built America. Their contributions shaped the nation — their stories must be preserved.
Mary Ellen Pleasant
1814–1904
Entrepreneur, Civil Rights Pioneer, Millionaire
Known as the 'Mother of Civil Rights in California,' Pleasant became one of America's first Black millionaires through entrepreneurship in Gold Rush-era San Francisco. She built a $30M fortune ($881M today) and funded John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.
Paul Cuffe
1759–1817
Ship Builder, Sea Captain, International Trader
Born to a freed African father and Wampanoag mother, Cuffe built an international fleet of ships and became one of the wealthiest men in early America. He proved FBA capacity for self-governance and international commerce.
Garrett Morgan
1877–1963
Inventor of the Traffic Light & Gas Mask
Invented the three-position traffic signal (1923) that controls every intersection in America and the gas mask (1914) that saved countless lives in WWI. He personally used his gas mask to rescue trapped miners.
Lewis Latimer
1848–1928
Made Electric Lighting Practical for All Americans
His carbon filament improvements (1881) made electric lighting practical and affordable. The only Black member of Edison's research team, he also drafted patents for Alexander Graham Bell's telephone.
Granville Woods
1856–1910
The 'Black Edison' — 50+ Patents
Known as the 'Black Edison' with over 50 patents. His automatic railway air brake prevented countless train accidents, and his multiplex telegraph allowed communication between moving trains and stations.
Dr. Charles Drew
1904–1950
Revolutionized Blood Plasma Storage & Blood Banks
His blood plasma research revolutionized emergency medicine. He developed techniques for processing and storing blood plasma that made massive WWII blood drives possible, saving thousands of Allied soldiers.
Frederick McKinley Jones
1893–1961
Portable Refrigeration Pioneer — 60+ Patents
His portable refrigeration unit (1940) revolutionized food distribution, enabling fresh produce to travel cross-country. He held over 60 patents and co-founded Thermo King Corporation.
Marie Van Brittan Brown
1922–1999
Invented the Home Security System
Created the closed-circuit television security system (1966) — the foundation for every modern home and business security system. Her patent included remote door locks, two-way microphones, and alarm mechanisms.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
1856–1931
Performed First Successful Open-Heart Surgery
Pioneered cardiac surgery with the first successful open-heart surgery in 1893. Founded Provident Hospital, the first interracial hospital in America, and established training programs for Black medical professionals.
George Washington Carver
1864–1943
Agricultural Innovator — Saved Southern Farming
Developed crop rotation methods that saved Southern agriculture from soil depletion. Created over 300 products from peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes, providing sustainable farming methods that improved food security nationwide.
“These are not footnotes in history. These are the architects, the innovators, the builders who made America what it is. Every patent filed, every surgery performed, every business built stands as evidence that can never be erased.”
— FBA ARCHIVES