We honor Black History Month by celebrating Dr. George Washington Carver—a visionary agricultural scientist, educator, and humanitarian whose work reshaped American farming and expanded economic opportunity.
Often called “The Peanut Man,” Carver developed over 300 industrial and food products from peanuts—including dyes, paints, plastics, soaps, cosmetics, lubricants, and synthetic foods—along with 118 products from sweet potatoes and dozens more from soybeans. These innovations helped diversify Southern agriculture and boosted the economic value of alternative crops, reducing reliance on cotton.
Born into slavery around 1864 in Missouri, Carver rose from extraordinary hardship. Kidnapped as an infant during a raid, he was later raised by Moses and Susan Carver. Largely self-taught due to limited schooling for Black children, he earned a degree in agricultural science from Iowa State University in 1896. At Tuskegee Institute, Carver revolutionized farming for Southern sharecroppers by introducing sustainable crop rotation and soil conservation, restoring depleted land and improving nutrition and livelihoods.
Despite worldwide recognition, Carver lived simply—never seeking wealth or fame. He patented very little, choosing instead to share knowledge freely. In a final act of service, he donated his entire life savings of $60,000 to establish the George Washington Carver Foundation, ensuring his work would continue to benefit farmers and communities long after his death. He passed away in 1943 at age 78, leaving a legacy rooted in sustainability and service.
As the George W. Carver Center for the Advancement of Science Education, we proudly carry forward his mission—using science and education to create opportunity, equity, and lasting change. Through C-STAMP, we are committed to ensuring every Chicago student—regardless of zip code—has access to high-quality STEM education.
From a slave cabin to fields of innovation, George Washington Carver turned dirt into abundance and knowledge into power.
That’s the legacy we honor. That’s the standard we strive to uphold.
#BlackHistoryMonth #GeorgeWashingtonCarver
