As we commemorate #Juneteenth, we are reminded of the importance of honoring freedom and progress. A holiday celebrating the journey and independence of Black people in the United States, Juneteenth is an excellent occasion to recognize the many contributions that Black people have made to American engineering.
- Katherine Johnson: Famous for her crucial mathematical contributions to NASA’s space program, particularly for calculating the trajectories and flight paths for the Apollo missions and Project Mercury. She also played a key role in sending the first Americans to the moon.
- Garrett Morgan: Invented the three-position traffic signal. His invention, which included a “caution” light (modern yellow light), was patented in 1923. This innovation improved traffic safety by providing a warning before a full stop.
- Mae Jemison: First African American woman to travel into space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Prior to Joining NASA, she served as a doctor in the Peace Corps, developing guidelines for health and safety issues.
This day, June 19th, 1865, marks the belated but critical realization of freedom for all Americans. At Qforensics we encourage everyone to reflect on the history of this day and consider how we can contribute to a more inclusive world. Today and every day, #Qforensics is committed to driving change by living our values of quality, excellence, rapid response, integrity, experience, and professionalism.
