Ivan C. James Jr. facts for kids

Ivan C. James Jr. (1916–2014) was an American engineer from St. Louis, Missouri. He lived during a time of big changes for African Americans in the United States. Despite facing many challenges, he worked hard to get an education and become a successful engineer. He also helped open doors for others.

Early Life and Inspiration

Ivan C. James Jr. was born in 1916. He went to West Bell School and then Sumner High School. Even though there was a lot of racial segregation back then, his teachers at Sumner High School really inspired him. They encouraged him to value education and follow his dreams.

He especially remembered three teachers: Ms. Anderson, Mr. Davenport, and Ms. Alford. They pushed him to use resources like the St. Louis Public Library. They also taught him about the important role of African Americans in history and literature. These teachers showed him that the place of African Americans in society was still growing and changing. This made him want to learn even more.

Pursuing an Engineering Dream

After graduating from Sumner High School, Ivan C. James Jr. went to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He really wanted to become an engineer. He applied to the University of Missouri-Rolla for their engineering program.

However, at that time, the State of Missouri and its university system did not accept African American students into engineering programs. Ivan was disappointed, but he didn't give up. He soon found another school that would accept him and a friend.

He was accepted into the Milwaukee School of Engineering. There, he studied Stationary Engineering, which is now known as Mechanical Engineering. After Lincoln University, Ivan C. James Jr. and two other graduates were the first African Americans to attend this school. He even took a special interest in helping more African Americans attend the school after him.

Once he earned his engineering degree, he returned to St. Louis. He was ready to find a job as an engineer.

Engineering Career in St. Louis

Ivan C. James Jr. applied to Emerson Electric. But they did not offer him an engineering job. Instead, he started working as a porter. His real goal was to become a stationary engineer. These types of jobs were mostly available to African Americans only in St. Louis public schools, hospitals, and the St. Louis Housing Authority. These places usually served African American communities.

Even with these limits, Ivan C. James Jr. kept working towards his goals. He found an opportunity at Homer G. Phillips Hospital. This hospital was close to his old high school. To get even better job chances, he took more engineering classes at Washington University in St. Louis.

These extra courses and his five years of experience at Homer G. Phillips Hospital helped him a lot. Ivan gained the skills he needed to join the St. Louis Housing Authority. He became a Stationary Engineer, in charge of the central plant at different housing communities.

Outside of his work, Ivan C. James Jr. collected historical items about African Americans. These included books and pamphlets. Later in his life, he donated these materials so they could be saved and studied.

Lasting Impact

Ivan C. James Jr. lived through a time of huge historical changes. He saw many social and legal changes that improved the rights of African Americans. He also saw a big increase in the opportunities available to them.

His personal advice to young people who wanted to follow in his footsteps was: "Don't give up. Education is the key, and just keep plugging, plugging, plugging."

A scholarship was created in his name by the S.E.E. Opportunities Foundation. This scholarship helps middle school students who win an essay contest. It focuses on students who are interested in engineering and STEM careers. This scholarship shows how important his message about education and perseverance was.