On Saturday, Feb. 15, The Missouri Historical Society will commemorate Black History Month with a robust schedule of programming that will provide interactive learning about Black Missourians who made lasting contributions to the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Workshops, activities, storytelling and experiments have been designed to show Black scientists, doctors, architects and inventors from the Show Me State changed the world.
The program will honor the global impact of Homer G. Phillips Hospital, well known contributors to the field – and the unsung heroes who devoted themselves to applying their talent and knowledge within STEM to help make the world a better place.
Those who attend will learn about the life and legacy of Dr. Lincoln Diuguid. Dr. Diuguid’s grandparents were enslaved. He lived a life beyond their wildest imagination when he converted a veterinary hospital into Du-Good Chemical Laboratories & Manufacturers thanks to his family pooling together $60,000 (more than $850,000 in today’s money) to purchase the property that would house his business.
Mr. Diuguid graduated magna cum laude with a degree in chemistry from West Virginia State College in 1938. He became head of the chemistry department at what is now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and worked as an analytical chemist at the Pine Bluff Arsenal during World War II.
He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in chemistry from Cornell University, completing post-doctoral work there in organic chemistry in 1947.
That same year, he came to St. Louis and opened Du-Good Chemical Laboratory in St. Louis. With it he created a space where Black scientists could explore cures for cancer and research new medical treatments. Through hands-on experiments and activities, learn all about the advancements and inventions from the Du-Good Chemical Laboratory.
There he developed anti-cancer compounds, as well as household and personal products. He also used his passion for science and youth-building in the classroom. While operating Du-Good, Doc simultaneously worked as a science educator. He chaired the physical science department at what would eventually become Harris-Stowe State University for 25 years.
He passed away in 2015 – less than two weeks shy of his 98th birthday.
The Missouri History Museum’s presentation of Black Missourians in STEM will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 at The Missouri History Museum. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org, and https://shsmo.org/.