Black Tech Leaders Inspire Students at Harper College

Throughout the 20th century, innovation has evolved in ways that continue to shape our world, and this transformation will accelerate in the years ahead.Harper College in Palatine hosted a Black History Month event, “Black Futures: Inspiration to Innovation in Emerging Tech,” highlighting the contributions of Black leaders in technology. The event featured a panel of industry professionals, including Michael Crawley, William Smith, Angela Valentine, and Monica Shirley. Local high school students from Rolling Meadows, Palatine, and surrounding areas were invited to attend, engage in discussions and explore tech career opportunities.A dedicated educator, Angela Valentine, welcomed the students and underlined the event’s goal of offering valuable insights, especially in tech.“Our goal is to provide you with valuable information and resources that will inspire and empower you, particularly in technology,” she stated. In a PowerPoint slide, Valentine highlighted the achievements of several African-American pioneers who significantly contributed to technology and innovation. These included Granville T. Woods, who, with over 50 patents, developed the telegraph system for train communication, and Garrett Morgan, who invented the gas mask and improved the traffic signal. Dr. Charles Drew revolutionized blood storage, and Katherine Johnson’s mathematical expertise was crucial to NASA’s space program.Valentine also encouraged students to...