A Tribute to Ground Breaking Data Scientists

By Olivia Rojas, DSA Content Writer

As Black History Month comes to an end, it is a time to not only commemorate the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history but also to shine a light on their contributions to various fields, including the rapidly changing area of data science. While their involvement may be unnoticed, there are many historical Black figures who have helped shape the landscape of data science and analytics.

Valerie Thomas 

Dr. Valerie Thomas stands as a pioneering figure in the world of data science. With a career spanning decades as data scientist and inventor, Dr. Thomas has been a trailblazer in the field. Notably, her contributions to data visualization have impacted the way information is presented and understood. Dr. Thomas is renowned for her invention of the Illusion Transmitter, a device that utilizes concave mirrors to create three-dimensional optical illusions. This innovative technology has found applications in various fields, including medical imaging and virtual reality. Through her research and inventions, Dr. Thomas has demonstrated her ability to harness the power of data to solve complex problems and enhance human understanding.

W. E. B. Du Bois

WEB Dubois, mostly known for his role during the Civil Rights Movement, also laid the groundwork for principles that are relevant to data science. Dubois’s emphasis on empirical research, statistical analysis, and the study of society reflects the modern day use of data science. One of his projects, “The Philadelphia Negro,” exemplifies how he used data to show the impacts of social issues, utilizing various methodologies to examine urban life and inequality. Dubois’s advocacy for the collection and use of data to understand and address issues in society reflect data-driven approaches that occur today.

Harold Blackwell

Harold Blackwell, a mathematician and statistician, made significant contributions to the field of data science through his innovative approaches to statistical modeling and analysis. With his career also spanning several decades, Blackwell’s work laid the groundwork for modern statistical methods and their application in diverse fields. Blackwell’s contributions include his development of the Blackwell–Rao theorem, which provides fundamental insights into the convergence of stochastic processes. Additionally, his research in Bayesian statistics and decision theory has had a profound impact on data analysis and inference methods. Through his theoretical work and applications, Blackwell’s work continues to shape the methodologies and techniques used in data science today. His emphasis on mathematical reasoning and probabilistic modeling remains central to the field.