IMS

IMS Engineers proudly congratulates Dr. Denise Gregory Jones on being named the 14th President of Jackson State University . This remarkable achievement reflects her outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to academic excellence.

We are excited to continue our partnership with Jackson State University and look forward to working alongside Dr. Jones as she leads the institution into an even brighter future.

30 years of IMS — what an incredible milestone!!!

As we gathered to celebrate this anniversary, we were overwhelmed with gratitude. Seeing so many clients, partners, colleagues, friends, and family in one room was a powerful reminder that IMS has never just been about projects — it’s been about people!

For three decades, you have trusted us, supported us, challenged us, and grown alongside us. Your confidence in our team, your collaboration, and your belief in our mission are the true foundation of our success. Every relationship built, every challenge overcome, and every milestone reached has been possible because of the community standing behind us.

To everyone who came out to celebrate with us — thank you! Your presence meant more than words can express. And to those who have been part of our journey over the years, whether from the very beginning or somewhere along the way, please know how deeply grateful we are.

We are proud of the legacy we’ve built together, and even more excited about the future ahead. Here’s to continued partnerships, shared success, and the next chapter of IMS.

With sincere appreciation — thank you for being part of our story.

Refuse to lose your heart 💚🖤🤎

Elijah McCoy was a brilliant Black inventor whose work helped power the industrial world forward. Born in 1844, he became famous for creating an automatic lubricating device for steam engines and other machinery—an innovation that kept trains and equipment running longer, safer, and more efficiently without constant stops. His designs were so dependable that buyers wanted the “real” one, often linked to the phrase “the real McCoy.” This Black History Month, we honor McCoy for turning precision, persistence, and genius into inventions that changed everyday life—and proved that excellence leaves a legacy.

William Lincoln Hawkins was a quiet giant in Black history, an engineer and inventor whose work helped shape the modern world. A chemical engineer at Bell Labs, he became known as the “father of polymer cable sheathing,” developing plastic materials that protected telephone cables from heat, moisture, and damage—making communication systems stronger, safer, and more reliable. His innovations helped pave the way for the networks we depend on every day, and his legacy is a reminder that Black excellence isn’t just seen in moments—it’s built into the infrastructure of progress.

Lee P. Brown made history as Houston’s first Black mayor, bringing a lifetime of public service into city leadership with purpose and calm authority. Before leading Houston, he broke barriers as a trusted law enforcement and public safety leader—serving as Houston’s police chief and later as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy—always focused on safer communities and stronger futures. As mayor, he championed practical progress, economic growth, and a city that works for everyone, proving that real leadership is measured by impact, not volume.

Barbara Jordan didn’t just make history—she spoke it into the room with a voice that refused to be ignored. A Texas trailblazer and the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House from the South, she rose from Houston’s Fifth Ward to become one of the most respected leaders of her era; famous for her powerful defense of the Constitution during the Watergate hearings and her unwavering demand for justice, integrity, and equal rights. In a world that tried to shrink her, Jordan stood tall, steady, and undeniable proof that brilliance and backbone can shift a nation.

Mark Dean is a trailblazing computer engineer whose work helped shape modern personal computing, making him a powerful figure to spotlight during Black History Month. As a key engineer at IBM, he played a major role in developing core PC technologies, including helping create the original PC architecture and holding multiple patents that advanced how computers connect to peripherals and communicate with other devices. His innovations helped turn the personal computer into a practical tool for everyday work, school, and business, and his leadership opened doors for future generations of Black innovators in STEM. His legacy is a reminder that Black history is also technology history, built by brilliant minds who changed the world.

For today’s Black History Month spotlight, IMS highlights Valerie Thomas, a NASA scientist and inventor who helped change how we see Earth from space. While working at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, she managed the development of early Landsat image-processing systems, supporting the work that made satellite images easier to store, process, and use. She’s also known for inventing the Illusion Transmitter, a device that uses mirrors and video signals to create a realistic 3D image effect, and she received a patent for it in 1980.

A self-taught inventor and engineer, Andrew Beard overcame enslavement and limited formal education to become one of the most impactful innovators of the 19th century. Born in 1849, Beard earned more than 60 patents, with inventions spanning agriculture, engineering, and transportation. His most notable achievement—the automatic railroad car coupler—revolutionized rail safety by eliminating the need for workers to manually link cars, significantly reducing injuries and saving countless lives. Andrew Beard’s legacy is a powerful reminder that Black innovation has long driven progress in engineering and infrastructure, laying foundations that modern systems still rely on today.

As we kick off Black History Month, we celebrate Dr. Lilia Ann Abron, a trailblazer whose achievements have paved the way for so many who follow. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1945, Dr. Abron made history in 1972 when she became the first African-American woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in chemical engineering — a milestone that broke barriers in a field long dominated by men. After overcoming early professional obstacles, she founded PEER Consultants, P.C., an environmental engineering firm that has transformed communities with sustainable solutions and global impact. Beyond her technical expertise, Dr. Abron is a mentor, advocate for science education, and an enduring example of innovation, perseverance, and leadership in STEM.