Black Inventors Hall of Fame 2nd Annual Induction Ceremony
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 18:00 -
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 22:00
Event duration 4 hours
General Admission:
USD 400.00
About Black Inventors Hall of Fame 2nd Annual Induction Ceremony
A Fundraising Gala to Build The Black Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
Join us on Thursday, July 16, 2026, for a landmark evening as the Black Inventors Hall of Fame hosts its 2nd Annual Induction Ceremony & Fundraising Gala at the prestigious Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago.
This unforgettable night will celebrate the visionary men and women whose inventions have shaped industries, transformed daily life, and expanded the boundaries of human possibility. Through powerful storytelling, cinematic honoree tributes, and a gathering of leaders across technology, education, philanthropy, and culture, we honor the legacy of Black ingenuity.
This year’s ceremony also serves a vital purpose:
raising support to build the permanent BIHOF Museum & Innovation Campus — a national home for the preservation, celebration, and advancement of Black innovation.
Your attendance directly fuels this mission to build the nation's first museum honoring Black Innovation
Events Schedule
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 18:00
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 22:00
Event Categories
Charity Galas
Cultural Celebrations
Fundraising Events
Community Connections
Black Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
https://bihof.org/
175 N. Main St.
The Black Inventors Hall of Fame (BIHOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020. Since its inception, BIHOF has been driven by a bold and historic mission: to design and build the nation’s first museum dedicated to immortalizing the pioneering genius of African American inventors spanning more than 300 years. The organization is led by African American businessman, entrepreneur, inventor, and lifelong professor James Howard, whose career embodies the spirit of innovation BIHOF exists to honor. Mr. Howard is an accomplished inventor with over 20 patents, and he mentors dozens of aspiring inventors throughout the year, nurturing the next generation of creators and problem‑solvers. In addition to his leadership at BIHOF, James Howard serves on the Pro Bono Advisory Committee for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He is also an Honorary Member of the National Academy of Inventors and sits on the boards of both the United States Intellectual Property Alliance and United Inventors Association, where he advocates nationally for equitable access to innovation, intellectual property education, and inventor support. Together, these roles reflect a lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity, preserving history, and ensuring that the brilliance of Black inventors receives the recognition, scholarship, and institutional home it has long deserved.