September 16th 2023.
After decades of not giving Lewis H. Latimer the recognition he deserved, the city of Fall River is finally honoring this Black scientist who helped Thomas Edison invent the lightbulb. Latimer passed away in 1928 and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery without a headstone, until now.
The change was made possible thanks to the efforts of two men, Frank Bonafilia and Jon Cropper, who alongside Carmichael Roberts, co-founded the Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program. This program is an extension of the Edison Awards, which recognize and foster innovation and positive scientific impact across the nation. Through this fellowship program, Black innovators are awarded opportunities and mentorship. Bonafilia and Cropper worked hard to install a headstone to honor Latimer. Bonafilia pointed out the significance of Latimer’s contributions when he said “The invention of light, the invention of the phone — we’re still using these innovations today. And Latimer was such a big part of that. What would’ve happened if there was a fellowship that removed all the barriers of entry for him back in the day? Where would he be today?”
Latimer’s accomplishments and contributions to the scientific community are impressive. His parents were enslaved but fled through the Underground Railroad to Massachusetts. After his time in the Navy, he taught himself draftsmanship and eventually became head draftsman at a patent clerk’s office. It was there that he caught the eye of Alexander Graham Bell, who hired him to help create blueprints for the telephone. He was also a member of Edison’s Pioneers Club. On the Latimer Fellowship Program’s site, his work is highlighted, including his invention of the first “water closet” for railroad cars in 1874 and the foundation he laid for the creation of the air conditioner in 1886.
To commemorate this long-overdue decision, the Edison Awards is hosting an event on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. Over 60 guests are expected to attend, many of whom are former participants of the Latimer Fellowship Program. Award-nominated actor Shameik Moore will also be in attendance. Jon Cropper is excited about the memorial saying “We’re working with the artist who created the Martin Luther King memorial in Atlanta. It’s a very beautiful stone with a bronze bust of his face, and a list of all his living descendants with a couple of elegant quotes. And I think that it is a memorial worthy of the man.”
This is an incredible milestone for Latimer and the recognition of the contributions of all Black scientists and innovators. The Edison Awards and the Latimer Fellowship Program are doing a great job of fostering innovation and positive scientific impact across the nation and helping to remove the barriers of entry for Black innovators.
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