Jesse Eugene Russell

 African-American inventors who have contributed to technology

Jesse Eugene Russell developed the idea for wireless digital communications and phones.  Russell built a cell phone that could carry signals between phones and cell phone towers because mobile devices were mostly used in vehicles at the time. This would make mobile phones more functional as well as more affordable. Jesse Russell's inventions were vital in the development of the modern cellphone. Jesse comes from a large African-American family, which includes two sisters and eight brothers. His parents are Mary Louise Russell and Charles Albert Russell. His early years were spent in inner-city Nashville areas that were both socially and economically hopeless. Attending a summer educational program at Fisk University was a significant turning point in Russell's life. After graduating from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, he was hired by Bell Labs. Russell's inventions, including the first digital cellular base station, a mobile data telephone, and other wireless communication patents, transformed the wireless communication industry.  Raising awareness of the issues in computing and technology by providing information about how racial bias impacts technology is an important step in the fight against racial bias implementing training programs, workshops, and industry events could be used for this.