Overview: Black Tech is designed to be the first of several books in a series to help African Americans learn and appreciate more about Black participation in the development of the United States.

Verdict: Black Tech is written for first - to third-grade readers, but its content is applicable to all ages. In the book, a young narrator presents Black inventors and their unique inventions in a colorful way that catches the reader’s eye.

Some of these lesser-known inventors highlighted in the book include Gladys West, Jesse Russell, Alexander Miles, Frederick Jones, and other dynamic scientists and engineers.

In what is a most dutifully-crafted, impassioned and genuinely heartfelt towards its subject matter, let alone colorful read, author Theresa Merritt-Watson’s rather majestical Black Tech - Leaders in Technology: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is a must-have, must-read for all those first - to third-grade minds that are ready to be infused with empowering motivation.

Designed to appeal to anyone with ten seconds to read short descriptions paired with colorful illustrations and an interactive section to challenge the mind, the book is also designed to invoke pride in the readers and to encourage readers to pursue their own passions with purpose and clarity.

Black Tech was born out of the author’s belief in the importance of exposing young people to history early on, giving them all an opportunity to see themselves and their potential, and that is all clearly evident as you slowly work your way through the book.

Committed to equity for all, Theresa believes that equity and equality can begin with African American children knowing their history and the contributions that African Americans made to the development of this country.

Personally, what I found appealing from the off was how the author intermingled the inventor and his/her invention with the child, themselves thoroughly enjoying its modern use. The images throughout the book are colorful, informative and act as the most perfect attachment to the quick prose written alongside them.

A book most definitely open to children of all cultures, if only, perhaps, to broaden their own knowledge of some of the many scientific/high-tech contributions of African-American inventors (contributions/inventions used within the U.S. and beyond), it is both engaging and instructional informative.

About the Author - Theresa Merritt-Watson is committed to equity for all. She believes that equity and equality can begin with African American children knowing their history and the contributions that African Americans made to the development of this country. This knowledge can be unifying. Unity in the community is the way African Americans can continue to move forward and build on the foundation left by our ancestors.

Every child has passion, wonder, and interests that must be nurtured at home, school, and church, and her book can help begin to foster the process. African-American history should be part of a child’s daily reading regimen. Knowing one’s history befits everyone and ensures that no one is left in the dark. It is of the utmost importance that children learn history from home.

Theresa is advocating for black history to be a daily journey to include the good, bad, ugly, and indifferent. She believes that learning one’s history can help children know themselves and that it can change the trajectory of African American education and economics. It will also invoke a sense of pride and patriotism.

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