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02.03.2025
6 Technological Innovations Pioneered By Black Women
By The Grace Hopper Program Team
Throughout history, Black tech professionals have been at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation, leading the way for some of the most well-known and widely used technologies today. However, many populations, including Black individuals, remain underrepresented in the tech industry. According to the 2024 State of the Tech Workforce report by CompTIA, black individuals make up just 8% of the computing workforce. Companies in recent years have slowly begun to diversify hiring practices as numerous studies continue to show that diversity in tech drives global innovation and paves the way for the future. These efforts include specialized initiatives aimed at addressing a historical lack of representation in tech for Black professionals, as well as for women and nonbinary professionals.
Learn about some of the most significant Black women innovators in technology and how their work impacts our daily lives.
Lisa Gelobter: Early Innovations in Internet Video
Lisa Gelobter is a computer scientist whose early work laid some of the foundations for internet video and animation. She developed technologies related to video compression and delivery, contributing to the evolution of online video. While her work wasn't directly responsible for the GIF file format (which predates her contributions) or the creation of specific platforms like Hulu, it was influential in the development of the underlying technologies that made video streaming possible. Gelobter is also the head of tEQuitable, an organization that provides a confidential platform for addressing workplace bias and discrimination.
Cristina Jones: Black Girls Code
Black Girls Code teaches basic programming principles, leadership skills, and creative empowerment to Black girls and gender nonconforming youth of color. Under the current leadership of CEO Cristina Jones, the organization aims to place 1 million girls in tech by 2040.
Annie Easley: Foundational Rocket Science Technology
Annie Easley's programming was essential to the Centaur rocket program, and her research contributed to the development of hybrid vehicle technology. She’s also credited with innumerable contributions to race and gender rights and representation in the workplace—known throughout NASA and beyond as a committed teammate, ally, and mentor for Black women in tech.
Dr. Gladys West: Groundwork for the Global Positioning System
Using a combination of mathematics, computer programming, and data analytics, West created a model of the Earth’s surface using satellite data. This served as one of the foundations of the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Dr. Patricia Bath: Cataract Surgery Device
A professional ophthalmologist, Dr. Bath also revolutionized the medical tech world with her invention of the Laserphaco probe—a device used for the removal of cataracts. In addition, she possesses 4 additional patents for medical technology and has served as a career-long advocate for racial minorities in the public health sector.
Pursue a Career in the Diversifying World of Tech
With companies striving to grow diversity in tech, more opportunities are opening for groups that have traditionally faced systemic barriers. DEI-focused coding bootcamps, like those offered by the Grace Hopper Program at Fullstack Academy, provide an accelerated pathway for women and non-binary professionals to prepare for roles like software engineer, web developer, and web designer.
Learn more by exploring the Grace Hopper Program!
