Museum of Black Women Innovators

Museum of Black Women Innovators The Museum Black Women Innovators exists to inspire, empower, and educate all people by celebrating the groundbreaking achievements of Black women innovators.

Before “representation” became a corporate initiative or diversity became a talking point, Catherine Hoskins Wilson was ...
05/28/2026

Before “representation” became a corporate initiative or diversity became a talking point, Catherine Hoskins Wilson was already doing the work.

In 1960s and 70s Mississippi, where opportunities for Black women were often restricted by race, gender, geography, and economics, Catherine chose to build a different future not only for herself, but for the people and community around her.

Through education, faith, public service, and real estate investment, she forged a path rooted in knowledge, ownership, and community impact. While many women were denied access to opportunity, she pursued it relentlessly, earning degrees and credentials across multiple disciplines while simultaneously pouring into students, families, churches, and her town.
As an educator, civic leader, church financial secretary, alderperson, and investor, Catherine understood that true empowerment meant more than personal success. It meant creating economic opportunity, expanding access, and showing others what was possible.
Her leadership helped bring jobs, investment, and hope into her community while modeling a new vision of what Black women could achieve and lead.

Catherine didn’t just overcome barriers. She widened the path for others to follow.

Trailblazers are the foundational leadership level for the Museum of Black Women Innovators, women whose stories, impact, and leadership help shape what this institution preserves, honors, and carries forward.

Black women have always carried vision powerful enough to change the world.Their innovation lives in classrooms, communi...
05/28/2026

Black women have always carried vision powerful enough to change the world.

Their innovation lives in classrooms, communities, laboratories, movements, businesses, and culture — even when history failed to recognize it.

MOBWI exists to make sure those stories are seen, celebrated, and preserved for future generations.

Because representation is more than visibility.
It’s legacy. It’s power. It’s possibility.

True leadership is revealed in what you build for yourself. Great leadership is revealed in who you make room for along ...
05/27/2026

True leadership is revealed in what you build for yourself. Great leadership is revealed in who you make room for along the way.

Susan Pilato has spent her career doing both.

Her leadership proves that allyship is not performative. It is active. It is intentional. And it helps reshape industries and communities alike.

As Founder of PC&A Business Environments and later Mantra Inspired Furniture, Susan became one of the few women leading within the commercial furniture manufacturing industry, forging her own path in spaces where female leadership has historically been underrepresented.

But what makes Susan a Trailblazer is not simply the success she built. It is how intentionally she has used her influence.

Susan has consistently leveraged her platform, and leadership to elevate overlooked voices, advocate for diversity, challenge inequities, and create opportunities for others to lead and thrive. Through mentorship, inclusive business practices, and people-first leadership, she has helped open doors for emerging professionals and strengthened the belief that innovation is always more powerful when more voices are present at the table.

Trailblazers are the foundational leadership level for the Museum of Black Women Innovators, women whose stories, impact, and leadership help shape what this institution preserves, honors, and carries forward.

They tried to erase our stories.We’re building a future where they can never be forgotten.Every contribution, every brea...
05/26/2026

They tried to erase our stories.

We’re building a future where they can never be forgotten.
Every contribution, every breakthrough, every voice matters.

When you support MOBWI, you help preserve the legacy of Black women innovators while inspiring the next generation to dream bigger, lead boldly, and create fearlessly.

✨ Donate
✨ Volunteer
✨ Attend events
✨ Amplify the mission

Because history deserves visibility.
And the future deserves representation.

History does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it takes shape through steady leadership, groundbreaking first...
05/26/2026

History does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it takes shape through steady leadership, groundbreaking firsts, and the courage to step into spaces where no one expected you to belong. Captain Janet H. Days, USN (Ret.), has spent her life doing exactly that.

From becoming the first African American Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk in its 108-year history to being only the third African American woman in U.S. Navy history to command a ballistic missile defense-capable destroyer, Captain Days has consistently opened doors where few imagined Black women could lead.

But her legacy extends far beyond rank and title.

After nearly four decades of military service, Captain Days continues to shape the future as Director of Economic Development for the City of Suffolk, leading efforts focused on business growth, workforce development, tourism, entrepreneurship, and community investment.
Her leadership has never been about simply occupying rooms. It has been about expanding them.

Captain Days represents a kind of innovation rooted in courage, excellence, discipline, and service, proving that leadership at the highest levels can also create pathways for those coming behind you.

Trailblazers are the foundational leadership level for the Museum of Black Women Innovators, women whose stories, impact, and leadership help shape what this institution preserves, honors, and carries forward

Some women blaze trails through headlines and history books. Others build foundations so strong that generations rise be...
05/25/2026

Some women blaze trails through headlines and history books. Others build foundations so strong that generations rise because of them.

Before Evelyn Miles spent more than four decades serving students and families through Virginia Beach City Public Schools, she worked the fields. Laboring in conditions that could have limited her future…but never her vision.

What some saw as “just a lunch lady,” Evelyn understood as purpose.

She wasn’t simply feeding children. She was nourishing confidence. Encouraging discipline. Pouring care, consistency, and expectation into generations of students who would later become leaders, professionals, executives, and changemakers within their own industries and communities.

At home, that same spirit shaped her own children, whose lives and careers became extensions of the values she planted through faith, resilience, hard work, and unwavering love.

Her leadership wasn’t performative. It was foundational.

She didn’t just blaze trails for herself, she opened doors wide enough for others to walk through with confidence, dignity, and possibility.

Evelyn helped birth a generation of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, community leaders, and professionals who carried forward the lessons she modeled every day: show up with integrity, work with excellence, care deeply for people, and define your future.

Trailblazers are the foundational leadership level for the Museum of Black Women Innovators, women whose stories, impact, and leadership help shape what this institution preserves, honors, and carries forward.

05/23/2026

She carries vision in her spirit and greatness in her voice.
Every step forward, every dream pursued, and every barrier broken is proof that Black women continue to shape the future with brilliance, courage, and power. 🌸

Innovation doesn’t always happen in the boardroom, the laboratory, or from behind a podium. Sometimes, it begins around ...
05/22/2026

Innovation doesn’t always happen in the boardroom, the laboratory, or from behind a podium.

Sometimes, it begins around the kitchen table, at a community gathering, or on a front porch.

Vivian C. Yates (1929–1996) built a legacy rooted in faith, sacrifice, compassion, and unwavering love.

Widowed at a young age, she raised ten children while serving the Portsmouth community as a home healthcare provider offering care, wisdom, and support wherever it was needed.

Her leadership wasn’t loud. It was lived.

Along High Street and throughout Portsmouth, Vivian quietly planted seeds of purpose, discipline, faith, and community into everyone she encountered. Though not formally educated, she possessed the kind of wisdom that builds people, strengthens families, and transforms communities.

And today, the roots of those seeds are still bearing fruit, including through her granddaughter, who now leads a nationally recognized organization dedicated to empowering women and girls, housed in the home of the Museum of Black Women Innovators.

Vivian proved that some of the most powerful leadership begins in the quiet work of nurturing people and pouring into others.

Trailblazers are the foundational leadership level for the Museum of Black Women Innovators, women whose stories, impact, and leadership help shape what this institution preserves, honors, and carries forward.

Dr. Kathleen Cabler built her career by walking into rooms where Black women were rarely expected to lead; and then rede...
05/21/2026

Dr. Kathleen Cabler built her career by walking into rooms where Black women were rarely expected to lead; and then redefining leadership once she arrived.

From becoming the first African American female regional manager for Montgomery Ward, to serving as an executive coach, strategist, and culture leader across industries, Kathleen has spent decades helping organizations lead with empathy, integrity, and humanity.

At 58, she became the first in her immediate family to earn a doctorate, proving that growth, reinvention, and possibility never expire.

Because real leadership doesn’t just open doors; it gives others the confidence to walk through them.

Trailblazers are the foundational leadership level for the Museum of Black Women Innovators, women whose stories, impact, and leadership help shape what this institution preserves, honors, and carries forward.

Greatness begins the moment she believes in her own power. With confidence, courage, and vision, Black women continue to...
05/21/2026

Greatness begins the moment she believes in her own power.
With confidence, courage, and vision, Black women continue to bloom into leaders, creators, innovators, and changemakers the world cannot ignore. 🌸

Blair Durham isn’t just building businesses; she’s building economic power.As Co-Founder and President of Black BRAND, H...
05/20/2026

Blair Durham isn’t just building businesses; she’s building economic power.

As Co-Founder and President of Black BRAND, Hampton Roads’ Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, Blair has become a driving force for entrepreneurship, professional development, and wealth-building across the region. Through bold leadership and intentional community investment, she has helped create spaces where Black entrepreneurs and professionals can connect, grow, and thrive.

Because access changes everything. And Blair has spent her career creating more of it.

Trailblazers are the foundational leadership level for the Museum of Black Women Innovators, women whose stories, impact, and leadership help shape what this institution preserves, honors, and carries forward.

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340 High Street
Portsmouth, VA
23704

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