Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS)

The first African American brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of four-star general. Also organized the first entirely African American air unit, the 99th Pursuit Squadron, and commanded the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

DMS would like to salute Bessie Coleman. Coleman was the first woman of African American and Native American descent to earn her pilot’s license in the U.S., and she used every occasion in her ground-breaking career as a stunt pilot to encourage all women and African Americans.

Congratulations Shelia Taylor on being a two-time DMS Supervisor of the month!

We are at the MD&M West in Anaheim. Connect with us!

A pioneer in law, she was the first black woman to attend Yale Law School in 1931. In 1939, Jane became the first black female judge in the United States. She also served on the boards of the NAACP, Child Welfare League of America, and Neighborhood Children’s Center.

An American lawyer, newspaper publisher, and editor. Abbott founded The Chicago Defender in 1905, which grew to have the highest circulation of any black-owned newspaper in the country.

Hailed as the “godmother of the woman’s movement.” Height used her background in education and social work to advance woman’s rights. A leader in the Young Woman’s Christian Association (YWCA) and the president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) for more than 40 years.

First African American to play in the MLB. When the Dodgers signed him, it heralded the end of racial segregation in professional baseball that had relegated black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the Underground Railroad.

Inventor, Aerospace Engineer, and Entrepreneur whose work includes a U.S. Air Force-term of service and a twelve-year stint at NASA, where he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He invented the Super Soaker Water Gun in 1990, which has been among the world's bestselling toys

With her five solo Grammy wins in 1998, she became the first woman to win five or more awards in a single night. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill is also credited as the first hip-hop album to earn Album Of The Year.

Nurse and innovator. Inspired by the prolonged length of time it took the police to arrive in her neighborhood, in 1966 Brown invented the first home security system.

As a student at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanics,she was segregated from other students because of her race, often had to listen outside the classrooms and take notes while standing. In 1937, she became the first black to graduate from NM St. University

Politician, publisher, businessman, and naval pilot. Born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina, he freed himself, his crew, and their families during the American Civil War by commandeering a Confederate transport ship.

Former television executive, writer, and producer for Nickelodeon. She created the Nick Jr. series, The Backyardigans, and worked as a writer and creative director for Nickelodeon’s revival of Winx Club.

101 years before Rosa Parks, there was this fabulous force of a woman! A black teacher and civil rights figure, in 1854 she insisted on her right to ride on an available New York City streetcar, at a time when all such companies were private and most operated segregated cars.

Played Safety for FSU Seminoles. Awarded Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. Drafted to Tennessee Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft. Left the NFL in 2013 to pursue a degree in neurosurgery.

American television journalist and the first black man to anchor a nightly network newscast, most notably serving as co-anchor on ABC World News Tonight alongside Frank Reynolds and Peter Jennings from 1978 until 1983. Robinson was also the first black anchor in Washington, D.C.

American politician, educator, and author. First black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. Also the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president.

Organized the Negro National League, the first long-lasting professional league for black ballplayers, which operated from 1920 to 1931. Known as the "Father of Black Baseball." He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.