The “Youth Innovation Night: Unleash your Super Powers” event in Fort Myers attracted nearly 300 attendees to Clemente Park, where the Williams Academy Black History Museum stood proudly in the background. The event showcased the Latimer Fellows from the Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program, who shared their experiences and knowledge with the crowd. Among those who attended were a robotics CEO and an astronaut, adding to the prestige of the occasion.

The fellowship program aims to provide access and mentorship to exceptional Black innovators, and on this night, the panelists included Miles Morales’ voice actor from Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse. To match the theme of the event, some students even came dressed in superhero costumes.

In addition to sharing their wisdom, Latimer Fellows also got a chance to showcase their work during the event. For instance, Dunbar High School’s robotics team featured a robot that was on display at Clemente Park.

Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program honors Thomas Edison’s collaborator Lewis Latimer, who played a significant role in refining Edison’s vision of the lightbulb. The event was organized by Lee County Black History Society in collaboration with Edison Awards and Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program. It was truly an inspiring night filled with innovation and celebration of Black excellence in technology and innovation.

Overall, it was a night that encouraged young innovators to unleash their potential and embrace their unique abilities as they pursued careers in technology and innovation.