our mission

Inspiring the next generation of greatness.

Now more than ever, society needs to cultivate a new army of elegant inventors, artists, statesmen and women, who work together to imagine a brighter future, just like Lewis Latimer.

The *background*

Over the last 34 years, The Edison Awards™ have served as a leader in globally recognizing, honoring and fostering innovation and innovators to create a positive impact in the world. Named after legendary innovator Thomas Edison, the awards are considered the "Oscars in Innovation" and are the world's most respected innovation award.
In April 2021, The Edison Awards introduced the Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program, designed to provide special access and mentorship to a select group of exceptional visionary innovators.

Meet *Lewis*

**Lewis Howard Latimer** (September 4, 1848 – December 11, 1928) was one of the first major African-American inventors and a draftsman for the patents of the incandescent light bulb, among many other inventions.
He first worked as an assistant to Alexander Graham Bell and later was the only Black member of Thomas Edison’s private Pioneers Club of innovators.
Latimer's other patented inventions include such diverse items as the first water closet (i.e., toilet) for railroad cars (1874) and a forerunner of the air conditioner (1886).
Latimer was a true “renaissance man” – a painter, a poet, as well as a remarkable inventor and scientist.

The *Medici Effect*

The Latimer Fellowship is inspired by The Medici Effect, a concept defined by Frans Johansson. The concept describes the increased likelihood of transformative innovation when ideas, disciplines and cultures are combined.
The Medicis were a very prominent and influential family in Florence, Italy, who brought sculptors, painters, philosophers, scientists and poets together. Their influence and patronage led to “a creative explosion that became one of the most innovative eras in history—the Renaissance.” Taking advantage of different perspectives, views and skills allows innovators to rapidly identify powerful niches, and combine good ideas to create great ones.

Leadership

Meet the team behind the Lewis Latimer Fellowship Program.

As Executive Director for the Edison Awards™, Frank has been a leader in recognizing and promoting innovation across the world. Frank has a complete dedication to the growth of The Edison Awards and develops partnerships and networks to promote inclusivity in the field of innovation.
Originally established in 1987, the Edison Awards™ have recognized and honored some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world and is among the most prestigious accolades honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation.

Jonathan Cropper is the founder of Futurlogic Advanced Concepts, a highly confidential business development, design, and branding studio.
He has designed and implemented innovation strategies for many global brands, and sits on multiple startup boards as an angel investor and advisor.
Most recently, Jon was the Head of Global Real Estate, Aviation & Marine Partnerships for Aston Martin Lagonda.

Gordon Knox is a cultural innovator, institution builder, educator and arts-program designer.
Starting with the simple truth that humans are social beings, and that culture is the result of their interaction, Gordon has envisioned and established groups, residencies and institutions that support imaginative, exploratory artists and thinkers from across cultures and disciplines. The models for these organizations often emerge from familiar forms of human assembly: the home, shared meals, forums for the exchange of ideas, and institutions that encourage shared learning and collective efforts. His projects aim to make real an environment where thoughtful investigation, innovative thinking and shared values become a healthy matrix for cultural evolution.
Gordon’s work advances effective cultural institutions, public forums and community spaces, and he does this by assembling exceptional teams promoting shared values. His efforts have produced enduring institutions that encourage social transformation and cultural adaptation by engaging arts, architecture, community and our innate orientation towards cultural affinity.
Gordon Knox was president of the San Francisco Art Institute, director of the Arizona State University Art Museum, core collaborator at the Stanford Humanities Lab and founder of artist residencies at Civitella Ranieri in Italy, the Lucas Artists Programs in California, the Combine Artist Residency in Arizona, and the Woodman Artist Residency in Florence, Italy, as well as many short-term residencies, exhibitions and convenings globally.

Carmichael is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Material Impact, and bases the fund's strategy on his successful career as an entrepreneur-investor in materials, blending a unique business model of licensing university technology and commercializing it through targeted partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. His current investments include Soft Robotics and Zero Mass Water.
Carmichael is also member of Breakthrough Energy, a mission-oriented group committed to changing the world by creating and building companies that address the threat of climate change and long-term sustainability of the planet. As part of their work, Breakthrough Energy will invest over $1B over the next 20 years to help scale products for energy, transportation, agriculture, and construction, with a focus on big concept projects that promise the largest possible benefit to the earth’s future.