On this Valentine’s Day, GPS highlights the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. Charles Drew, who is responsible for the creation of what we’ve come to know as “blood banks.” We turn to Aretha Franklin for our musical inspiration which melds our faith in the Creator and love for each other in one classic song that…  Read More →

Join GPS for the 13th installment in our series highlighting Black excellence. Today we honor the work of Lloyd Augustus Hall, a pioneer in the food preservation industry. The perfect musical pairing on this Valentine’s weekend–how about a little Four Tops and “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch (I can’t help myself)“? Join us! Lloyd Augustus Hall…  Read More →

Happy Friday! Today marks the twelfth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Mark E. Dean, computer scientist and engineer, who helped develop a number of landmark technologies for IBM, including the color PC monitor and the first gigahertz chip. He…  Read More →

Today marks the eleventh day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of James Edward Maceo West, a research professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University and member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. West…  Read More →

Today marks the tenth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, “one of the most highly regarded, influential, and widely read poets of 20th-century American poetry. She was a much-honored poet, even in her lifetime, with the distinction…  Read More →

Today marks the ninth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Madam C.J. Walker, who created specialized hair products for African American hair care and was one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire. Our musical pairing is…  Read More →

Today marks the eighth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Lewis Howard Latimer, who was responsible for many inventions, including the carbon filament in light bulbs which made electricity more efficient and cost effective. Stevie Wonder’s effervescent “You are the…  Read More →

Today marks the seventh day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Joseph Lee, a caterer, baker, and restauranteur who invented two things that revolutionized the food industry and still impact our favorite party foods today. His musical inspiration comes from the…  Read More →

Today marks the sixth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Granville T. Woods, a Black inventor who dedicated his life’s work to developing a variety of inventions, many relating to the railroad industry. His musical inspiration comes from the song…  Read More →

Today marks the fifth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Dr. Henry T. Sampson, whose “gamma electrical cell” invention paved the way for the create of the cellphone, a device that connects us together each and every day. His musical…  Read More →

Today marks the fourth day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Dr. Valerie L. Thomas, inventor of the illusion transmitter and retired associate chief of the Space Science Data Operations Office (SSDOO) at NASA. His musical inspiration comes from the song…  Read More →

Today marks the third day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Lonnie George Johnson (1949-), NASA engineer and inventor of the Super Soaker. His musical inspiration comes from “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands.” Book Recommendations He’s Got the…  Read More →

Today marks the second day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931), one of the first physicians to perform open-heart surgery in the United States. His musical inspiration comes from the Stevie Wonder’s 1984 hit “I Just…  Read More →

Today marks the first day of 28 Days of Black Excellence created by VocalEssence Associate Conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. Phillip highlights the work of Garrett Augustus Morgan (1877-1963), best known for creating the Safety Hood and the Stoplight. His musical inspiration comes from the Supremes the 1965 hit song, “Stop! In The Name Of Love.”…  Read More →