Dr. David Harold Blackwell, African American Pioneer

Summary

Dr. David Blackwell is an African-American educational pioneer and eminent scholar in the fields of mathematics and statistics, whose contributions to our society extend beyond these fields. This paper highlights his significant contributions and the personal, educational, and professional experiences that groomed and nurtured him for leadership as a civicscientist. We hope this account of Dr. Blackwell's life will enhance the literature on African-American achievers, and motivate students majoring in, or considering careers in mathematics and statistics, particularly those from under-represented groups.

The education of David Blackwell

Early childhood

It is April 24, 1919, an era of heightened segregation and racial discrimination in the United States. Welcome to Centralia, Illinois, a small town community on the Mason-Dixon line, with a population of about 12,000 people, and very few African-American families [13]. Witness the birth of David Harold Blackwell. He was to be the eldest of four children born to Grover Blackwell, a hostler for Illinois Central Railroad, and Mabel Johnson Blackwell, a full-time homemaker. His two younger brothers, J. W. and Joseph, and his younger sister Elizabeth would follow soon after.

During his early childhood, David had a grandfather and an uncle living in Ohio who were influential to his cognitive development. His grandfather, whom he had never met, was a school teacher and later a storekeeper. He endowed David with a large library of books.