ST. LOUIS – Dr. Lincoln Diuguid, a pioneering African American scientist and businessman, made significant strides in the St. Louis area by founding one of the first Black-owned chemical companies in the country.

Dr. Diuguid was the first African American to graduate with an advanced degree from Cornell University, and he established Du-Good Chemical Laboratories and Manufacturing in 1947. His company produced a range of products from cosmetics to industrial chemicals and contributed to cancer research.

Despite facing racial discrimination, Dr. Diuguid refused lucrative offers from major chemical companies that required him to pass as white and not hire other Black individuals. Instead, he chose to create opportunities for young African Americans in STEM and business.

Dr. Diuguid also served as a professor of chemistry for nearly four decades at Harris-Stowe State University, a historically Black university in St. Louis.

Dr. Diuguid’s legacy is honored through several awards, including the American Chemical Society Award Salute to Excellence and Legacy in Science Awards from the Science Center of St. Louis and Harris-Stowe State University.

All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.