Benjamin Banneker was a mathematician, astronomer, landowner, and author of a commercially successful series of almanacs. He was born on November 9,1731,1 in Baltimore County, Maryland, the son of an ex-slave named Robert Bannaky and his wife Mary (born Mary Banneker). Benjamin had three sisters and was raised on a family-owned farm.

He was taught to read by his grandmother and for a short time attended a small Quaker school. Banneker was mainly self-educated, and used his ingenuity to construct an irrigation system for the family farm. As a young man he also built a wooden clock that accurately kept time and ran for more than 50 years.

George Ellicott, a Quaker and amateur astronomer whose family-owned a nearby mill befriended Banneker. He would lend him books and resources, which Banneker than used to teach . He used his calculations to accurately forecast lunar and solar eclipses in 1789. His friendship with Ellicott also eventually afforded him the opportunity to work as an assistant surveyor and map out the initial layout of Washington D.C.

Although Benjamin Banneker was a well-spoken and accomplished man, he still faced racial adversity. He became frustrated by the limitations placed on him due to his race instead of being simply recognized and respected for his work. This led Banneker to mail an advance copy of his almanac to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson on August 19, 1791. In addition he sent a 1,400-word letter challenging the secretary of state on his proslavery views and urging the abolishment of slavery, pointing out that his own accomplishments disproved the myth of Negro inferiority. 

Thomas Jefferson responded back acknowledging his letter but did nothing to advance the abolishment of slavery. Banneker’s letter and Jefferson’s response were published and widely viewed. This sparked a discussion within the community. Banneker went on to publish a Farmer’s Almanac depicting his face on the cover for the next five years including excerpts regarding the state of Black existence.

When he became too old to work on the family farm any longer, he sold it to the Ellicott family on the condition that he was allowed to live in the farm house for the rest of his days. This was the birth of what is now known as the reverse mortgage. He spent his last days studying and continuing to carry out scientific experiments, passing away on October 9, 1806 in Baltimore, Maryland at the age of 74.

A native of Phoenix, Arizona Aundrea Sayrie is a firm believer in the power of words, faith and a strong spirit. Her greatest desire is to encourage those around her to discover and honor their truth, and to passionately live on purpose.