I have been a science teacher for 14 years, but won the BBC new talent competition in November 2000 which meant I was able to fulfil my childhood dream of being a presenter on Tomorrow’s World. I now work full time for the BBC as an Education Correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC 1 News.

In actual fact African and Caribbean history is littered with wonderful stories of how people nursed childhood dreams and brought them into reality. I am delighted to provide this foreword to support the on going work of Planet Science.

Black History Month is a time to reflect and build on ideas so all the great things that black people have achieved in the world, and for the world, are fully appreciated and celebrated.

To help continuously celebrate and to demonstrate the amazing range and achievements of black people working in science and technology, Planet Science has rounded up eight inspiring life stories for you.

According to Webster’s dictionary "Invention is the power to conceive and present new combination of facts or ideas to devise new methods or instruments"

All eight are African Americans, who created an original and new ideas or work that served a definite purpose. Each person presented here is an example of the creativity, aspiration, and the struggles that shaped the world. They start from back in the18th century, forward to Katherine G Johnson who is still alive today.

All of these scientists grew up under the shadow of slavery or segregation, and had to be very tenacious about getting the right education, honing their skills and getting the right support. Some are self-educated. They are rightly appreciated for their contributions in the USA today, they are part of its making after all - George Washington Carver’s laboratory is even a National Monument.

African Americans have been in the United States since its beginnings as a country, so it’s not surprising that some of them have made their mark on the world of science as the nation and science itself has developed. The real achievement is that they exist at all and we are all in the position to be truly empowered by them as we appreciate and acknowledge their efforts and work.

There have now been several generations of African and Caribbean people in Britain and you’ll be able to see from the profiles of our modern day scientists that we have been very busy making an impact as Scientists, Engineers and Inventors. It’s an ongoing process; so while you’re celebrating Black History Month Scientists, don’t forget that you too could be a ‘Black Future Month’ scientist yourself!

Whether you are part of the African Caribbean community here or not I hope you’ll enjoy reading and learning about these amazing individuals, and you’ll think of them and their pioneering work whenever you switch on a light, cross the road or watch some ants – don’t know what I’m talking about?

Well read on…..

	benjamin banneker (1731 – 1806) Benjamin Banneker was a brilliant astronomer and mathematician. He filled his lifetime with learning, and it all began with his fascination with a pocket watch!
	charles henry turner (1867-1923) Charles Henry Turner was an African American scientist who dedicated his life to entomology, the branch of zoology concerned with insects.
	lewis latimer (1848 – 1928) Lewis Latimer was not only a prolific and creative inventor and brilliant technical draftsman, he was also known as a "renaissance man", or in other words, a talented all rounder.
	elijah mcCoy (1844 – 1929) Have you ever heard anybody asking for the ‘real McCoy?’ It means that they don’t want any inferior imitations, only the ‘real thing’ will do.
	george washington carver (1864 - 1943) George Washington Carver was the person most responsible for the economic survival of the southern portion of the United States.
	charles richard drew (1904 – 1950) If you or someone you love has ever needed a blood transfusion it is Charles Richard Drew you have to thank for the processes and organisation that have made it possible. He is the father of the blood bank.
	garret a morgan (1877 - 1963) Garrett Augustus Morgan lived a long and very full life! He was truly gifted and didn’t just contribute one invention that helped people and saved lives, he invented at least two!
	katherine g johnson (1918 - retired) Dr Katherine G Johnson is still alive, but retired now. She is considered one of the pioneers of the American space movement.
	Daniel Hale Williams (1858-1931) The first doctor to perform open heart surgery successfully!
	Granville T Woods (1856-1910) A contemporary of Edison and Bell and a great electrical genius.

Dwain Neil Management Consultant		Stephanie Ankrah Materials Engineer		Olu Ibidunni Software Engineer		Charles Ifajika Inventor

	Eunice Laleye Doctor		Toyin Solanke Geoscientist		Tony Waithe Inventor

If you 'd like to find out more about Dr Liz Rasekoala, a NESTA learning awardee, and her work please click here, and if you'd like to have a look at a poster series on black scientists, inventors and curiculum subjetcs, click here.