S*A*M I AM Broker/REALTOR®

  Percy Lavon Julian 1899 - 1975 Percy Julian had plenty of obstacles in his way as many did in the 19th century. However, he didn't allow those obstacles to prohibit him from acquiring his education to the Ph.D. level. Percy explorations through organizations he had access to developed into chemical synthesis of drugs which became treatments for glaucoma and arthritis. Percy Lavon Julian born on April 11, 1899, in Montgomery, Alabama who was the grandson to former slaves. Eighth grade was the highest education he had access to in his area at that time. Percy attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana which gave him the opportunity to become academically equal with his peers. Percy received a scholarship to attend Harvard University earning his master's degree. In 1931 Percy acquired his Ph.D. at the University of Vienna in Austria. In 1935, Percy had international praise by synthesizing physostigmine from the calabar bean to develop a glaucoma drug treatment. Despite P...

North Carolina requires all brokers (agents) to review the Working With Real Estate Agents Disclosure  form. This form is NOT  a contract. This form was created so you, the consumer, knows who is representing you within a real estate transaction. Your signature is acknowledgement it was reviewed with you. I service sellers and buyers. Contact me for your real estate🏡needs! Sheryl Martin Broker/REALTOR 336.355.7098 keys2homeownership.realtor@gmail.com

  John Albert Burr  1848 - 1926 John Albert Burr was born in Maryland in 1848 to parents who were slaves and later freed, John T. and Anna Wanger Burr. During the American Civil War John was a fieldhand worker. Black activists made certain John's ingenious skills didn't go unnoticed and he enrolled in engineering courses at a private university. John attended Harvard Business school. He had a job performing routine maintenance checks and fixing any issues on various types of machines. John relocated to Chicago where he was a steelworker. In 1898, John filed for the rotary mower patent. He received his patent for the rotary mower in 1899.   John created gadgets for mulch clippings, sifting and dispersing them. He enhanced the lawn mowers design by cutting closer to buildings and wall edges. His invention reduces the grass being caught in the blades. It helped save labor and is good for the grass. John got to witness his invention commercialized and gained royalties as well...

   Charles Brooks 1865 - ? Charles Brooks was born in 1865 in Virginia. When Charles was in his late 20s early 30s he relocated to Newark, New Jersey doing porter work for Pullman Palace Car Company. Manual street sweepers had picked up trash with dust pans or their hands. Charles invention was an enhancement to the street sweeper invented in 1849 and 1868. He received the patent in 1896 which enhanced the self-propelled front bursh sweeper. The intriguing part was showcasing the "receiving pan" which swept the dirty and placed it in an attached bin. The detailed modifications includes a scraper to clean up snow and ice. Charles has also invented the modern day "hole puncher" called ticket punch in 1893. Due to the death of a collaborator Charles didn't proceed with inventing the car fender. Source:  Charles B. Brooks (1865-?) • (blackpast.org)                    Charles Brooks: African American Inventor (myblackhisto...

Bettye Washington Greene                                                           March 20, 1935 - June 16, 1995 Bettye Washington Greene was born March 20, 1935, in Fort Worth, Texas. Even though slavery was eradicated, Texas state legislature instructed schools to be racially divided and interracial relationships felonies. Bettye attended I.M. Terrell High School which affiliated with the Black High School Study program. This program contributed to learning by bringing black teachers to enhance education through hands-on, experience-based, and problem-solving learning while including community and social projects. In 1955, Bettye graduated from HBCU Tuskegee Institute right as the civil rights era began earning a Bachelor of Science  in chemistry. She continued her education at Wayne State University e...

  Lewis Howard Latimer September 1848 - December 1928 Lewis Howard Latimer was born on September 4, 1848, in Chelsea, Massachusetts whose parents Rebecca and George Latimer, fled slavery from Virginia. Lewis's father, George, had to buy his freedom to reunite with his family because of someone recognizing him from Virginia. After a case ruled individual slaves needed proof of consent from their owners that they were legally free, Lewis's mother decided to split up the family. Lewis was sent to a farm school. At 16 years old he enrolled in the U.S. Navy and after 10 months received an honorable discharge. He got a job at a patent law firm as an office boy learning how to use drafting tools working his way up to draftsman. Lewis and Charles M. Brown received a patent for an improved toilet system called the water closet for railroad cars. Alexander Graham Bell hired Lewis to create drawings required to obtain a patent for Bell's telephone. Lewis relocated to Bridgeport, Conne...

   Dr. Philip Emeagwali Philip was born on August 23, 1954, in Akure, Nigeria whose parents are James and Agatha Emeagwali. His father being his math tutor enlightened his interest in mathematics. In 1966 Eastern Nigeria, Philip was a student at a British run Catholic elementary school. Due to the country's civil war his family relocated to a refugee camp. He worked as a cook for the Biafran army. After the war, Philip continued his education at Christ the King College in Onitsha, Nigeria. However financial hardships got in the way which led to passing a high school equivalency test. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at Oregon State University on a scholarship. Then went to Howard University receiving a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering; in ocean, coastal, and marine engineering from George Washington University; and in mathematics at University of Maryland. Philip didn't stop there. He furthered his education by working towa...

  Granville T. Woods April 23, 1856 - January 30, 1910 Granville was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 23, 1856. He had a scarce education. When he was a teenager, Granville had several different jobs within the railroad industry. At about age  20-22, while living in New York City he attended school for engineering and electricity. Working at pumping stations and shifting cars he had to travel between companies which lead to the creation of inductor telegraph. In 1889, Granville filed for his first patent which improved steam boiler furnaces. Alexander Graham Bell bought Granville's patent which merged the telephone and telegraph. In 1887, Granville invented the multiplex telegraph which allowed men voice communication enhancing faster delivery of important information stopping significant mistakes like train accidents. Granville was known as the "Black Edison" because Thomas Edison filed a lawsuit scrutinizing Granville's patent. Granville beat it. Thomas wanted to be ...

Alain (Arthur) Leroy Locke 1885-1954          Arthur Leroy Locke was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 13, 1885, to Pliny, his father who was the first black employee of the U.S.  Postal Service and Mary, his mother who was an educator. His mother inspired Arthur's dedication for education and literature. When Arthur was 16, he decided to use the first name "Alain". He attended Central High School and Philadelphia School of Pedagogy. He received degrees in English and philosophy from Harvard University in 1907. He received the Bowdoin prize and was the first African American Rhodes Scholar to the University of Oxford. Several scholars declined to live in Alain's presence regardless of the events. He didn't get accepted into some colleges but finally got accepted to Hertford College to study literature, philosophy, Greek, and Latin. Alain was famous for creating the philosophical concept of the New Negro. He donated five essays to the "first na...

Dr. Betty Wright Harris Dr. Betty Wright Harris was born on July 29, 1940, to Legertha and Henry Wright. Her parents purchased the land they farmed when Betty was in middle school. Legertha taught her children the importance of hard work and education. Betty was advanced in her studies starting her college journey at 16 years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, minoring in Mathematics at Southern University. Two years later she obtained a Master of Science in Chemistry at Atlanta University. Betty didn't stop there. She went on to receive her doctoral degree at University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. In 1973 Betty earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry at University of New Mexico. Betty went to New Mexico working at Los Alamos National Laboratory becoming an expert in explosives and nuclear weapons especially hazardous materials cleanup and environmental restoration. As Betty became proficient in explosives, she invented the TATB spot test. Betty created a summer program for hig...

Using a real estate agent can be highly beneficial when buying or selling a property. Here are some of the key reasons why a real estate agent can be important: 1. Local Expertise: Real estate agents have in-depth knowledge of the local real estate market. They can provide information about neighborhoods, property values, and other community-related factors that can be crucial when making a decision. 2. Market Knowledge: Real estate agents stay informed about current market trends, which helps both buyers and sellers make informed decisions about pricing and negotiations. 3. Access to Listings: Agents have access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS) and other databases that provide comprehensive listings of available properties. This can save you time in your search. 4. Price Guidance: Real estate agents can help you set a competitive and realistic price when selling your property or offer guidance on what a fair market price is when buying. 5. Negotiation Skills: Real estate agents...

Combining broccoli, carrots, and leeks into a juice can create a flavorful and nutritious beverage packed with vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Enjoy it as a refreshing drink to start your day or as a healthy snack anytime. Here's a simple recipe for making Super Bowl Veggie juice: Ingredients: 1 cup broccoli florets 2 medium carrots, washed and trimmed 1 leek, washed thoroughly and chopped 1-2 cups of water (adjust according to desired consistency) Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice or a piece of ginger for added flavor Instructions: 1. Wash all the vegetables thoroughly under running water. 2. Chop the broccoli into small florets, peel and chop the carrots into chunks, and chop the leek into smaller pieces. 3. In a blender or juicer, combine the chopped broccoli, carrots, and leeks. 4. Add 1-2 cups of water to help blend the vegetables into a smooth consistency. You can adjust the amount of water depending on how thick or thin you prefer your juice. 5. Ble...

Shirley Ann Jackson was born on August 5, 1946, in Washington, D.C. to supportive parents who stimulated her through projects and experiments. As a young child, Shirley collected honeybees observing their reactions to environmental changes. Shirley attended Roosevelt Senior High School where she graduated valedictorian, took advance math and science classes. Despite other's prejudices, she earned her bachelor and doctoral degree in physics at MIT. She assisted with initiating the Black Student Union encouraging black students and staff to enroll at MIT. Project Interphase, a summer program Shirley was a mentor at supported new minority freshmen. MIT was so impressed by Shirley's work she became a part of a task force on education opportunity. Her career started at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, a scientist at European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland, and then returning to the states working at Bell Laboratories. While at Bell Laboratories she anal...

Charles Richard Drew  June 3, 1904 - April 1, 1950 Charles born June 1904 to father - Richard carpet layer and mother - Nora teacher, a middle class African American family in Washington, D.C. He started working as a newspaper delivery boy. Dunbar High School where Charles went was all about equality and opportunities regardless of societies challenges at the time. He attended Amherst College under an athletic scholarship playing football and track and field. Morgan College a private historical black school is now Morgan State University a public HBCU where he was a chemistry and biology professor and the first athletic director and football coach. Due to roadblocks delaying him from attending Howard University and Harvard Medical School during his inquires, Charles went to McGill's medical school in Montreal, Canada. Charles earned Alpha Omega Alpha ranking 2nd of 127 students in his graduating class accomplishing Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree in 1933. ...

Valerie L. Thomas Valerie L. Thomas is born on February 8, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1964 with commendatory merit, she graduated from Morgan State University with a degree in physics. Valerie embarked on an opportunity as a data analyst at NASA. Because she administered the inception of the Landsat program from 1970-1981, she became an international expert. In 1977 she started research to enhance her NASA work by light and concave mirrors where her inquisitiveness stemmed from an exhibition. She wanted to understand concave mirror positioning and its effects on real objects being reflected. The illusion transmitter was born and patented on October 21, 1980. Valerie's invention contributed to space, surgery use, television and video screens. While project manager, during 1986-1990, Valerie's Space Physics Analysis Network (SPAN) team enhanced scientific collaboration linking research stations worldwide. Today's internet and NASA's science networking is cru...

  George Henry White December 18, 1852 - December 28, 1918 George Henry White a North Carolina native was born on December 18, 1852. George graduated from Howard University in 1877, through his course studies becoming a certified school teacher and excelled to a principal. George's attentiveness to studying law lead to a path of apprenticeship under former Superior Court Judge William J. Clarke and ultimately registered to the North Carolina Bar. George was a republican candidate chosen to serve a term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He assisted in growing his New Bern community by contributing to pass a law originating schools for African Americans paving the way to train more teachers in 1880. George H. White won a North Carolina Senate election in 1884, voted solicitor, and 2nd judicial district of North Carolina prosecuting attorney in 1886. In 1896 black votes were 85 percent because legislature abrogating various laws hindering black votes 2 years earlier; G...

Marie van Brittan Brown Marie Brown, a woman of color who did not let fear crippled her but took action and in so doing invented the first ever CCTV security.   Brown was born in 1922 in Jamaica, Queens, New York .   Not much is known about her early childhood and has no siblings .  She started off her career working as a nurse.  She married husband, Albert Brown, who was an electronics technician , and the y had a son and daughter. She worked long hours as a nurse and would get home late at night. Her husband also worked odd hours, so she was often alone at night.  Afraid of being vulnerable in a high crime neighborhood, Brown decided to figure out a way to see who was at her door at any given time. In 1966,  Marie, with her husband assisting her, invented a security system which consisted of four peepholes, a sliding camera, television monitors, and two-way microphones. These items created a closed-circuit television system for surveillance also known as CCTV. With ...