Black History Month is a time to honor the pioneers who broke barriers and changed the world. Like countless other industries, the electrical industry exists today because of Black trailblazers who refused to be held back, pushed boundaries, and created opportunities for future generations. These innovators didn’t just improve electrical work—they opened doors, inspired progress, and redefined what’s possible in the trades. Their contributions continue to shape the industry, proving that talent and determination can lead to lasting change.
Pioneers Who Revolutionized the Electrical Industry
Granville T. Woods was a self-taught inventor who earned the nickname “The Black Edison.” He held over 50 patents, many related to electrical systems that transformed how railways operated. One of his biggest inventions, the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph, made train communication safer and more efficient. His passion for improving technology helped lay the foundation for modern electrical engineering, showing that great ideas are everywhere.
Then there’s Lewis Latimer, whose story is just as inspiring. Born to parents who had escaped slavery, Latimer not only worked with famous inventors like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell but was a key part of their success. His most well-known invention, the carbon filament for light bulbs, made electric lighting last longer and become more affordable for everyday people. Thanks to his ingenuity, homes, streets, and workplaces around the world became brighter and more accessible.
Breaking Barriers in the Electrical Trades
One powerful story in the electrical trades is that of Charles Vernon Stewart and his stepfather, Sam Taylor. Despite facing racial barriers, they built a strong legacy in the electrical industry.
In 1922, Taylor, with Stewart as his Chief Assistant, opened Taylor Electric Company. They offered services like installing doorbells, lights, and doing other electrical maintenance, but faced many challenges in those early years. Segregationist attitudes at the time made their lives, and their work, extremely difficult. Competing white electricians would vandalize their work sites at night, forcing them to redo their projects at their own expense. Despite these challenges, Stewart and Taylor remained resilient, proving their skill and dedication to the trade.
As Stewart progressed in his career, he set out to join the trades, but Black men and women were not permitted to join at that time. So, Stewart and some of his associates formed the first Black electrical union in the United States. Then, in 1943, desegregation was ordered, and Stewart and Taylor were among the first Black electricians to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 134, making history and creating opportunities for those who followed.
Today, Taylor Electric Company is one of the oldest and most successful family-owned Black businesses in the United States.
The Future is Bright
Today, Black electricians are leaders at every level—master electrical workers, contractors, and business owners—proving what we know to be true: skill, dedication, and talent matter most. The electrical trades stand as a place of opportunity—where hard work earns respect and success is open to those willing to go after it. The industry continues to promote diversity, making sure that everyone has a chance to rise, thrive, and lead.This Black History Month, let’s celebrate those who lit the way—and inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps. If you’re ready to build a future in the electrical trades, take your first step toward a career that truly powers the world.