As part of our celebration of Black History Month in the United States, we wanted to take a look at just a few of the many African Americans who helped shape the food industry and the science of food profession.

"It is very important that we promote and leverage the many extraordinary contributions of African-American men and women to the science of food, if in fact we intend to attract students of color to the field," says IFT Fellow Larry Keener. "The life stories and accomplishments of American food scientists such as George Washington Carver, Norbert Rilleux and Percy Julian are compelling in this nation's history. Their life stories are simply amazing, and their accomplishments and innovations in food science and technology are inspirational for students desiring careers in science and technology. It’s exceedingly difficult to see one’s self in a place or a position in which there are no images nor history of people of similar background having succeeded previously. History can also be a portal to the future."

Here are four African American scientists and inventors who changed the food industry. Read about them here