BIHOF is a 501c3 - Celebrating - Marjorie Joyner & James A.Parsons NIHF Inductees
175 N. Main St. Wharton, NJ 07885
(862) 354 5545 | Email : jhoward@bihof.org
Black Inventors Leadership Team
James Howard/Executive Director
James Howard is a college professor, design historian, entrepreneur, industrial designer, inventor and restauranteur. He owns and operates one of the area’s top niche food establishments, “Cozy Cupboard Tea Room”. Howard also brings over 25 years of experience as a design professor and has authored a course on Design Thinking and Des
James Howard is a college professor, design historian, entrepreneur, industrial designer, inventor and restauranteur. He owns and operates one of the area’s top niche food establishments, “Cozy Cupboard Tea Room”. Howard also brings over 25 years of experience as a design professor and has authored a course on Design Thinking and Design History that explores the impact of design on society.
Accomplished Industrial Design educator and entrepreneur, Howard has lectured on the experience of the Black American inventors, often drawing a parallel with many of his own experiences as an AA innovator to those innovators of the past. Howard is an extraordinary inventor who has 20 patents. Many of these extraordinary innovations save people's lives every day. His latest venture is Entrepreneurial U, Morris County’s first school of Design Thinking.
Board of Directors
Susan Van Alstyne, Ed.D
Susan Van Alstyne, Ed.D
Susan Van Alstyne, Ed.D
It is an honor to serve on the Advisory Board for the Black Inventors Hall of Fame. As a librarian, sharing information with others, especially introducing the important, and often hidden history to new audiences is at the core of being an educator. As a child of immigrant parents, I have experienced the role education plays in forming identity, and I recognize the importance organizations such as BIHOF have in education. I champion the evolving role of libraries and museums in fulfilling the educational mission while introducing and celebrating the history of black inventors to many new audiences. Susan is presently library Director at Centenary College. She was formerly a librarian at Berkeley College has served as a director at both the Newark and now the Woodland Park, NJ campus. Susan’s strategic vision and forward-thinking leadership to enhance services, and diversify resources to optimize the user experience has guided her career in higher education.
Michael Howard, MBA
Susan Van Alstyne, Ed.D
Susan Van Alstyne, Ed.D
Howard received national attention when his innovative Job Training program South Point Academy skills training and job placement program for men and women was featured in a TV special Hosted by Harry Porterfield. The Howards were also featured in two documentary films, Green Fire the first full-
high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. The PBS Special and “Eden’s Lost & Found” which aired nationally in 2006, highlighting the unique development of Eden Place Nature Center. An urban oasis Howard founded on the South side of Chicago. Howard and his wife Amelia own and operate and award winning urban farm and film production studio on the south side of Chicago.
Shawn M. Yearwood, MBA
Susan Van Alstyne, Ed.D
Shawn M. Yearwood, MBA
A motivated team leader with a desire to change what is necessary to achieve the desired outcome. An entrepreneur with 20 plus years of military experience as an Armored Soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces who has served as an Instructor, Tank and Reconnaissance Troop Leader, Supply Chain Manager (SQMS), Drill Sergeant-Major, Squadron Sergeant-Major, Regimental Sergeant-Major and achieved rank of Chief Warrant Officer. A motivated and diligent professional with an MBA Degree in Business Management, using ethics, leadership skills, experience, education, motivation, and networking to produce an exceptional work product. An Adjunct Professor of Business Management. Give customers a reason to do business with you.
Akil Khalfani, Ph.D.
Akil Khalfani, Ph.D.
Shawn M. Yearwood, MBA
Dr. Akil Kokayi Khalfani is a Change Agent, Motivational Speaker, Ambassador, Author, Professor and Award Winning TV Host. He is
Director for the Center for Global Education and Experiences, Director of the Africana Institute, Associate Professor of Sociology,
and Chair of the Social Justice Council at Essex County College.He is the author of, The Hidden Debate: The Truth Revealed about
the Battle over Affirmative Action in South Africa and the United States, which was nominated for the national Oliver Cromwell Cox
Award by the American Sociological Association (ASA).
Dale Caldwell, ed.d
Akil Khalfani, Ph.D.
Dale Caldwell, ed.d
The Centenary University Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the appointment of Dale G. Caldwell, Ed.D., as the University’s 15th president. Dr. Caldwell, who will be the first African American president of the University, will begin his tenure at Centenary on July 1. Dr. Caldwell is currently executive director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as president of the board of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. His experience includes being the founding executive director of the Newark Alliance, deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting. He will succeed current Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., who last fall announced his retirement effective June 30.
Paul Cofer, MA
Akil Khalfani, Ph.D.
Dale Caldwell, ed.d
Paul Cofer is a Stage Actor, Musician, Professional Sales Representative, Voice Over Artist, and Insurance Agency Business Owner. Paul holds an undergraduate Degree from American University in Marketing with a near Perfect GPA and a Graduate Degree from Ben Franklin University (now merged with George Washington University), in Finance. As a self-proclaimed observer of life and student of human nature, Paul wholeheartedly believes that honing sharp skills of keen observation of careful listening well, coupled with having quiet eyes of thorough visual observations, the World around us reveals amazing secrets
and revelations untold. The imaginations of the mind coupled with the mixing bowl of the swift transitions of time, use the information received from the 5 senses of the human body to produce life changing inventions and ideas
that improve and enhance the way we live.
Ardella Colema / Board member emeritus
John H. Lienhard IV / Board Member Emeritus
D. A. Abrams, CAE / BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
Caring for others is a quintessential component that enlivens, drive and push me toward employee and organizational support, engagement and excitement in the workplace. It is through understanding, empathy, and care for every human being that allows me to support diversity and inclusive initiatives in the workplace and is what propels me to react to organizational crisis, both internal and external that challenge organizational goals, objectives and employee success.
D. A. Abrams, CAE / BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
John H. Lienhard IV / Board Member Emeritus
D. A. Abrams, CAE / BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
David Anthony (D.A.) Abrams, CAE joined the CFP Board as Managing Director for the Center for Financial Planning in November 2019. In his role, D.A. is responsible for the following: Cultivating a quality workforce to ensure the profession can recruit and retain the talent it needs to grow; Fostering a more diverse financial planner workforce that reflects the changing demographics in the United States.
John H. Lienhard IV / Board Member Emeritus
John H. Lienhard IV / Board Member Emeritus
John H. Lienhard IV / Board Member Emeritus
John H. Lienhard IV is an emeritus Prof. of Mech. Engr. and of History, at the University of Houston. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the originator of the radio series, The Engines of Our Ingenuity, heard on Public Radio in America. Lienhard has also written a great deal about Black contributors to America’s culture, in his radio series and books.