Honoring Black Pioneers in the U.S. Petroleum Industry for Black History Month

Recognizing Contributions and Innovation

The petroleum industry has been shaped by countless innovators, problem-solvers, and trailblazers, many of whom have come from diverse backgrounds. As we celebrate Black History Month, we take the opportunity to recognize the contributions of African American entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers whose work has influenced the energy sector in meaningful ways.

From early business owners who built opportunities in the industry to researchers whose advancements continue to impact fuel technology and safety, these individuals have left a lasting mark. Their innovation, resilience, and leadership have helped shape the energy sector and continue to inspire future generations.

At E.O. Habhegger, we honor this legacy by celebrating the achievements of the past while looking ahead to a future where inclusivity, innovation, and opportunity continue to grow across the industry.

Black Entrepreneurs Who Shaped the Petroleum Industry

Threatt Filling Station and Family Farm: A Legacy of Entrepreneurship and Community

A photograph of the Threatt Filling Station, a historic Black-owned gas station along Route 66 in Luther, Oklahoma. The small building has a steeply pitched roof, a mix of white wooden siding and stone exterior, and green trim around the entrance. The structure shows signs of age and weathering. Photo credit: Rhys Martin. — Threatt Filling Station Route 66 Luther, Oklahoma

The Threatt Family has been an example of entrepreneurship and resilience in Oklahoma for over a century. In the early 1900s, the family began selling produce from their 150-acre farm outside Luther, Oklahoma. Recognizing new business opportunities, they expanded their operations by building the Threatt Filling Station in 1915—making it the only Black-owned and operated gas station along Route 66 during the Jim Crow era.

More than just a gas station, the Threatt Filling Station was a safe haven for Black travelers, providing fuel and services in a time when road trips could be dangerous due to segregation. The property also included a ballfield, outdoor stage, and bar, making it a true hub for the local Black community.

Beyond business, the Threatt Family Farm played an important role in history, reportedly offering refuge to Black Oklahomans displaced by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Today, the Threatt family still proudly owns the property and is working to restore and revitalize the site in time for the 2026 Centennial of Route 66. Their efforts aim to highlight the stories of Black entrepreneurship, travel, and community resilience that have long been part of the “Mother Road.”

Watch An Oklahoma Story of Place: Voices of Preservation” – Threatt Filling Station

Ardmore Lubricating Oil Company: A Bold Venture in Oil Production

In 1917, four African American entrepreneurs—Wilson Newman, J.C. Pratt, S.M. Holland, and Heston Welborn—recognized an opportunity in Oklahoma’s booming oil industry and founded the Ardmore Lubricating Oil Company. They purchased a 100-acre oil lease in the Healdton oilfield, an area that would ultimately produce more than 200 million barrels of oil.

A black-and-white photograph showing a two-story brick building with a sign that reads "Ardmore Lubricating Oil Co." Several men stand outside the entrance, dressed in early 20th-century attire, while a vintage automobile is parked in front with a woman standing beside it. The image is credited to Rembrandt Studio

Their company set up offices on East 2nd Street in Oklahoma City, in a vibrant business district known for both its commercial success and its jazz music scene. Despite operating in a segregated era, the Ardmore Lubricating Oil Company aggressively marketed investment opportunities to the Black community, selling shares for $1 each to encourage economic participation.

The company’s wells produced high-grade lubricating oil, a product with significant market potential. By 1920, they announced plans to build their own refinery in Tatums, Oklahoma—one of the many self-sustained Black communities established after the Civil War.

Despite their ingenuity and ambition, financial struggles eventually slowed the company’s progress. Stock sales and funding efforts continued, but by 1921, reports of delays in refinery construction and shifting operations signaled mounting challenges.

Innovators in Petroleum Science and Engineering

Scientific advancements and engineering breakthroughs have always driven the petroleum industry forward. African American scientists and researchers have played key roles in fuel technology, industrial safety, and energy innovation.

George Washington Carver: A Pioneer in Biofuels

A black-and-white portrait of George Washington Carver, an African American scientist and inventor, dressed in a suit with a white shirt and a flower pinned to his lapel. He has a distinguished mustache and a warm, confident expression. — George Washington Carver - Photo Credit Science History Institute Museum & Library

Best known for his agricultural research, George Washington Carver was also an early innovator in renewable energy. His experiments with peanut oil as a fuel source were ahead of their time, laying the groundwork for the modern biofuels industry.

Dr. Marie Daly: Advancing Petrochemical Safety

A historical black-and-white photograph of Dr. Marie Daly, the first Black woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry. She is wearing a lab coat and a scarf while handling a pipette in a scientific laboratory filled with glassware and research equipment. — Marie Maynard Daly - Science History Institute Museum & Library

In 1947, Dr. Marie Daly made history as the first Black woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry. While much of her research focused on human health, her expertise in biochemistry and toxicology had applications in the petroleum industry—particularly in understanding the effects of hydrocarbons and fuel exposure on the body. Her work contributed to a broader understanding of industrial safety, helping to shape the way fuel and petrochemical processing are handled today.

Walter Braithwaite: Revolutionizing Petroleum Engineering with CAD Technology

As a Jamaican-born aerospace engineer, Walter Braithwaite was a key figure in the development of computer-aided design (CAD) technology at Boeing. While CAD was originally developed for aerospace, its impact reached the petroleum industry by improving pipeline design, drilling simulations, and refinery planning.

The Future of Diversity and Opportunity in Petroleum

The petroleum industry is evolving, and today, there are more opportunities than ever for individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to engineering, technology, and innovation in the sector. Organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the National Association of Black Geoscientists (NABG) provide valuable resources and professional development, helping to build a stronger, more inclusive industry.

Honoring the Legacy, Inspiring the Future

As we reflect on Black History Month, we recognize the entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers who have helped shape the petroleum industry through innovation, resilience, and leadership. Their contributions continue to inspire new generations, driving progress in energy and engineering.

At E.O. Habhegger, we celebrate this history while looking forward to a future where innovation and opportunitycontinue to grow across the industry.