This is the story about a man who is an absolute legend in the field of tech, John Stanley Ford, the first Black Software Engineer in America. Some of you may have never heard of him but that's okay because today is a great opportunity to learn why he so important to the industry and why I chose to write about him, so without further ado let's go.

His Life

Born on August 15, 1919, in New York City, John Stanley Ford grew up in the Williamsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. He graduated from the U.S. Army Officers Candidate School in 1944 and served in World War II as a first lieutenant in the 369th Battalion. He then went on to earn his Bachelor's degree from the City College of New York in 1946 and his Masters degree in Business Administration from New York University in 1955.

In 1947 something interesting happened, John Stanley Ford met a man by the name of Thomas J. Watson, the CEO and chairman of IBM at a dinner party. JSF must have made quite an impression on Mr. Watson, because he would later hire Ford, making him the first black software engineer, not just at IBM, but in the United States of America.

In December 1950 Stanley married Vivian Marie Hill. Stanley was a pioneer in the earliest days of computing; the first African-American hired by IBM in 1946 to work on their electronic accounting machines, as computers were then known. In a distinguished career at IBM, which spanned 37 years, he received numerous awards for his contributions to the development of computing hardware and software. He loved the intellectual challenge of computers and the improvements in quality of life he felt this technology would bring.

Stanley also enjoyed teaching old and young alike how to use computers, and continued to work with and learn about the latest advances in computer technology until his death. Stanley was a member of the IBM Chess Team. Stanley was a talented musician. A baritone who performed at various venues around New York City in the 1930's, 40's and 50's, he also played the piano, violin, and trombone. He was a trombonist in the Rockland County Band. After moving to Orangeburg in 1967, Stanley became a member of the Nyack Branch of the NAACP.

His Courage

During his time at IBM especially in the era where African-Americans were overlooked for just about anything that you can imagine, Stanley no doubt faced that same problem, according to John Stanley Ford's son Clyde W. Ford,

my father...[was] passed over for promotions, discriminated against in pay...he still viewed his job as an opportunity of a lifetime. He refused to give up.

John Stanley Ford faced so many obstacles in his very prestiges life but he was determined to go the distance and drive forward with grit and determination. Stanley knew with certainty that if he gave up it would impact not just himself and his family but an entire culture.

My father always found ways to give back. He felt it was only a matter of time before other black men and women broke through the barriers to advancement he faced at IBM. Somehow, he managed to obtain copies of the IBM entrance examination questions and answers, which he surreptitiously shared with promising young black job applicants. He coached them on passing the exam and succeeding in their interviews. Many were subsequently hired. - Clyde W. Ford

Clyde W. Ford wrote extensively about his father in his book "Think Black" , GoodReads says, "In this thought-provoking and heartbreaking memoir, an award-winning writer tells the story of his father, John Stanley Ford, the first black software engineer at IBM"

His Legacy

John Stanley Ford continues to help his community even in his absence through programs such as the John Stanley Ford Fellowship or JSF launched by Flatiron school which I am happy to be a candidate.

JFS candidates can be considered for an apprenticeship at talented companies such as IBM, Citi, Justworks, FanDuel, fuboTV, Meetup, Datadog, VTS, Giant Machines, Infinia ML, Chubb, Cvent and Wunderkind (Formerly BounceX). If your company would like to be a participant of the John Stanley Ford Fellowship I provided a link below.

Each company has agreed to:

• Hire at least 2 of Flatiron School's Black alumni as Fellows

• Apprenticeships must be a minimum 4-month duration, and provide $60,000 annualized compensation

• Each Fellow must have weekly 1:1s with their direct manager, as well as monthly 1:1s with a mentor from within the company

• Provide an opportunity to interview for a full-time position prior to the end of the apprenticeship

This is a huge commitment and it speaks to the need to create broader and robust opportunities for many of African-Americans this type of engagement is certainly appreciated.

John Stanley Ford has quickly become one of my favorite people in our rich history, his impact on the lives of countless POC can not be overstated. I for one will strive for excellence just as he did and continue to close the gap for generations to come.

*Click this link If your company would like to partner with the John Stanley Ford Fellowship

Sources: John Stanley Ford Obituary L. A. Times