Mark Dean: The pioneer behind the colour monitor

But the reality is, his success was achieved in the face of commonplace racism, an issue that’s plagued Black innovators throughout history.

As he recalls, one white friend in sixth grade asked him if he was really black. The reason? Because, the friend had concluded, he was too smart to be black.

“The assumption about what Blacks could do was tilted,” Dean said, a bias that he also encountered when he first joined IBM. But that didn’t stop him from believing in his skills.

As Dean himself says, “A lot of kids growing up today aren’t told that you can be whatever you want to be.”

Equally, a lot of kids growing up today aren’t given an accurate history at school, either.

In UK schools, the transatlantic slave trade and the US civil rights movement are largely the only black history taught as part the curriculum. In a 2022 Quinnipiac University poll, only 27 percent of Americans said the American History they were taught was a full and accurate account of the role of African Americans in the US. 

Unsurprising, really. Consider how common colour monitors are, but still Mark Dean’s name never gets mentioned in classes. Alexander Graham Bell, yes. Nikola Tesla, yes. Mark Dean? No.

Unsung hero: Lewis Latimer and the lightbulb

Here’s a question: who invented the lightbulb? You said Thomas Edison, didn’t you? 

Although he’s widely credited with inventing the lightbulb (thanks, school), it was Lewis Latimer, the son of formerly enslaved people, who patented a filament that extended the lifespan of lightbulbs. And yet, his contribution towards one of the most vital inventions ever has seemingly been resigned to historical darkness.

Marie Van Brittan Brown: Innovator of security systems

Or how about African American inventor Marie Van Brittan Brown who, along with her husband, invented the first closed-circuit TV security system? Her system paved the way for many systems found today in bank, offices, and apartment buildings. But although her system has secured many businesses, the one thing it hasn’t secured is her place as a well-known inventor.  

The struggles of Black inventors pre- and post-slavery

And the sad thing is, even though they receive little acclaim, Latimer and Brown actually fared better than countless other Black innovators who couldn’t even patent their inventions.

Although there’s a huge number of Black inventors of significant products who get next to no credit, it’s just the tip of the iceberg of Black inventors whose ideas never see the light of day.

Prior to the abolition of slavery in 1865, ‘free’ Black citizens could apply for patents, enslaved Black people couldn’t as they weren’t considered US citizens. Before that date, the inventions of many Black innovators were often claimed by their enslavers or other white people.

The impact of racial discrimination on patents

But that all changed after slavery ended, right? Wrong. Black inventors still faced considerable hurdles to obtain patents, unable to enjoy the same opportunities afforded white counterparts, from access to legal systems and education to start-up investment from mainstream banks.

In some instances, patent applications were rejected, and it’s not unreasonable to suggest it was because of racial discrimination, a decision that led some to conceal their race, whilst others used their white partners as proxies.

But in many cases, Black inventors didn’t even attempt to patent their work between 1870 – 1940, understandably deterred by the threat of lynchings, race riots, and US segregation laws.

In fact, in her paper ‘University, Violence and Economic Activity: Evidence from African American Patents, 1870 to 1940’, Lisa D. Cook found that violent acts accounted for more than 1100 missing patents compared to 726 actual patents among African American inventors during that time.

That’s generation after generation of lost inventions that could have changed the face of history as we know it. What we’re left with is a whitewashed history that not only warps our knowledge of the past but also our understanding of what constitutes innovation in the present.

Non-patented innovations: Beyond conventional inventions

Although we’ve mentioned a few examples of more ‘conventional’ patented inventions from Black people, albeit in a domain still dominated by white males, what about non-conventional  innovations that can’t be patented?

As Shontavia Johnson, an entrepreneur and associate vice president for entrepreneurship and innovation at Clemson University in South Carolina, says, “There are certain types of things that are patentable, and certain things that are not patentable, and that’s a distinction that I do think leaves a lot of people out of the ecosystem.”

Cultural pioneers: Grandmaster Flash and beyond

There are many examples of Black pioneers who have moved the needle of culture, including one who moved it quite literally, and in pioneering fashion.

Grandmaster Flash, a New York DJ, didn’t just influence the music world, he revolutionised it. His innovative style of mixing records and blending beats transformed the art of deejaying and influenced modern-day music. Yet, despite his groundbreaking approach, he holds no patents. And it’s the same for many other Black innovators who push the boundaries.

Unfortunately, when it comes to shouting about the significant contribution of Black people, whether that’s technological breakthroughs or innovations that have shaped today’s society, the history we’re taught and exposed to, isn’t so much a scratched record as a broken one.

Through important initiatives such as Black History Month it’s a chance to set that record straight.

The importance of Black History Month

At BI WORLDWIDE, our strength lies in our diversity. By changing the narrative and standing together as allies, we can create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for everyone.

As an organisation, we recognise that Black History Month isn’t just about acknowledging the past, but a commitment to creating a more inclusive, equitable future. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the contributions Black individuals and communities have made.

This month allows us to challenge the narratives that have misrepresented Black people. For too long, the stories of Black people have been told through the lens of struggle and oppression. Acknowledging history is important, but it’s also important to bring attention to stories of achievement, leadership, and innovation.

Over the course of the month, we’ll be empowering our Associates with resources to enhance their understanding of Black history, heritage, and culture, including inspiring untold stories. 

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Hear from BI WORLDWIDE EMEA’s People & Culture Director, Andrea Rowe on the importance of Black History Month