As Black History Month concludes, we celebrate the extraordinary journeys of leaders who have broken barriers and continue to inspire future generations. This month, we highlight Gregory Robinson, a trailblazing engineer whose leadership and perseverance helped bring one of the greatest scientific achievements of our time to life.

Born the ninth of eleven children to tobacco sharecroppers in segregated southern Virginia, Gregory Robinson attended segregated schools until the age of 10. Despite the odds, he pursued his passion for engineering, graduating from an HBCU and forging a path into NASA—a place where Black professionals were historically underrepresented.

His career at NASA spanned 33 years, culminating in his pivotal role as Director of the James Webb Space Telescope program. When he took over in 2018, the program faced major challenges, including budget overruns and delays. Through his leadership, Robinson steered the $10 billion project that was previously millions over budget and years behind schedule back on track, leading to its historic launch. Now 100 times more powerful than Hubble, Webb is transforming our understanding of the universe.

Robinson’s impact extends beyond space exploration. Named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022, he is also a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM, working to create opportunities for underrepresented communities.

Through his inspiring keynotes, Robinson shares lessons on leadership, innovation, and overcoming adversity—proving that humble beginnings are no barrier to extraordinary achievements.

Want to bring Gregory’s powerful insights to your organization? Book him as a keynote speaker by reaching out to info@bigspeak.com.