Issue #935 Today In Black History, Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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Roy L. Clay, Sr. was born in Kinloch, Missouri, and he became the first in his family to attend college, earning a degree in mathematics and physics from St. Louis University.
After struggling to find work in technology, Clay started work as a school teacher. At an interview for McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, Clay was taken aside and told, “Mr. Clay, I’m very sorry, we don’t hire professional Negroes.” He taught himself to write software and, by 1958, was a programmer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Clay’s early professional work involved creating a radiation tracking system to study the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. While working at LLNL, Clay was introduced to David Packard, who encouraged Clay to apply for a job.
Clay joined Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1965 and played a pivotal role in launching its computer division. Clay’s leadership in developing software for the HP 2116A, one of the company’s first mini-computers, was crucial in establishing HP as a formidable force in the industry.
Clay stayed at HP into the 1970s, eventually rising to become the highest-ranking African American member of staff. While working at HP, Clay developed several initiatives to improve the representation of African-Americans in Silicon Valley, including hiring from HBCUs. He recognized the need to test electrical products for safety and left HP in 1971 to start his own business.
In 1977, Clay founded ROD-L Electronics in Menlo Park, California, a manufacturer of “hipot and electrical-safety test equipment.” ROD-L was the first producer of electrical safety test equipment to be certified by the UL. An early proponent of flex time, he allowed employees to set their own schedule outside of core hours, stating, “I decided that the hours of greatest communication were between 10 am and 2 pm. Therefore, I asked that everyone be in the office between those hours, to avoid having trouble with scheduling meetings.”
In 2002, Clay was elected by the African American Museum and Library at Oakland as one of the most important African Americans working in technology. San Mateo County awarded ROD-L Electronics the Dads Count Family Friendly Employer Award, and Clay was inducted into the Silicon Valley Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2021, the city of St. Louis opened the Roy Clay Sr. Computer Lab in his honor.
Roy L. Clay, Sr., was inducted into the Silicon Valley Engineering Council’s Hall of Fame and honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bay Area Black Engineer of the Year Awards.
He died on September 22, 2024 (aged 95) in Oakland, California.
Today In Black History
In 1872, Morgan State College (now University) was founded in Maryland.
In 1935, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first official bargaining agent for Black workers and formally recognized by the Pullman Company, was founded by A. Phillip Randolph.
In 1941, Dr. Charles R. Drew was appointed Medical Director of the Plasma Project of Great Britain. Thousands of lives were saved as a result of his work with blood plasma banks.
In 1945, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Louis was discharged from the U.S. Army after being awarded the Legion of Merit.
In 1951, the 24th Infantry Regiment, the last of the all-Black military units authorized by Congress in 1866, was deactivated in Korea.
In 1952, Joe Black, who was also named the 1952 Rookie of the Year, was the first Black pitcher to win a World Series game. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 4-2.
In 1960, the African nation of Nigeria gained its independence from Great Britain and became the 99th member of the United Nations.
In 1962, James Meredith became the first Black student to register at the University of Mississippi.
In 1989, four-star General Colin Powell became the youngest and first African American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest military position.
October is my birthday month, and I will be 75 years old this month!
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