#black tech

Kenyan inventor Roy Allela, 25, created Sign-IO gloves to translate sign language into audible speech, bridging communication for the deaf.

Sign-IO gloves, with finger sensors, connect via Bluetooth to an app, translating sign language into vocal speech.

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Emmett Chappelle’s journey from NASA to the Goddard Space Flight Center culminated in the creation of a new technique that helps scientists discover life on other planets.

By researching creatures like fireflies that emit light naturally in a chemical process called bioluminescence, Chappelle discovered that a combination of chemicals causes all living organisms to emit light, according to NASA.

Like other Black inventors, Chappelle never backed down from a challenge.

From Arizona to the stars

Emmett Chappelle was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 24, 1925, to cotton-growing and cattle-raising parents. He received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California.

After a brief stint as an instructor in biochemistry at the Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN., he received a master’s degree from the University of Washington in Seattle.

From there, his journey took one giant leap forward. After serving as a research associate and scientist for the Research Institute of Advanced Studies at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., Chappelle began working directly at NASA in the 1960s. There he supported the organization’s manned space flight missions while fellow Black genius Katherine Johnson calculated flight trajectories–by hand.

Using this technique, he was able to detect the presence of bacteria in urine, blood, spinal fluids, drinking water and foods, according to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The presence of bacteria is a strong indicator of life, and exobiologists today are able to more easily detect the presence of living organisms thanks to Chappelle’s discovery.

Emmett Chappelle: Connecting Earthlings to life on other worlds

For 34 years Chappelle worked at the Goddard Space Center, where he received 14 patents. He’s been recognized as one of the top 100 Black scientists and engineers of the 20th Century and has received numerous awards for his work.

“I really enjoyed my time at Goddard,” Chappelle after being notified of his acceptance into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. “The people made it a great place for me to do my research, and I really appreciated that NASA recognized the importance of my work.”

When asked what he missed the most about working at Goddard he simply responded, “The people.”

Black Tech Founder Details Journey from Extreme Poverty to Closing $1.6 Million Funding for App

In the eyes of entrepreneur Abbey Wemimo, there’s nothing he feels he can’t overcome.

That’s because he knows what it’s like to have very little, compete with the best and still come out on top. His winning secret, is simply knowing his stuff.

“They can rip everything away from you,” the 27-year-old executive said to Atlanta Black Star, “but they can’t rip your mind.”

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