Mr. Howard P. Grant was born in Houston, Texas on July 28, 1925. He began studying engineering at UCLA, and ultimately transferred to the University of California, Berkeley. There he completed his engineering degree, becoming the first African American student graduate from the Berkeley College of Engineering. Additionally, he became the first known African American member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, at the time actively breaking down racial barriers.
As a licensed career engineer, Grant became the first African American Civil Engineer for the city and county of San Francisco and the second in the state of California. He began his career at the San Francisco water department, in addition to his position as President and Treasurer of the California Society of Professional Engineers, which later became the Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers (NCCBPE), an organization that serves to encourage African American youth to consider careers in engineering. NCCBPE has developed scholarship programs in support of their involvement with higher education in California.
Mr. Grant was not only dedicated to his career as a civil engineer but also in helping others advance in engineering by mentoring a number of minority students. He has served as a founding member of the Engineering Societies Committee for Manpower Training and has served as a board member for a number of other organizations and scholarship committees. Grant passed on November 22, 1997, but has since been renowned as an “engineering icon”, and today because of his success and passion he is also a Black STEAMer.
If you or someone you know is eligible, apply for scholarships through the Northern California Scholarships Foundation! http://www.ncsfscholarships.org/Home/ApplicationProcess
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Hi I’m Melvin Best, founder and director of the Harlem Film Institute. I am an educator, avid film lover and all around nice guy.