This week's Black History Moment will be presented by Myron Mintz. Let's listen and learn about Lonnie Johnson.

Lonnie is an American inventor, aerospace engineer, and entrepreneur, best known for inventing the bestselling Super Soaker water gun in 1989. He was formerly employed at the U.S. Air Force and NASA, where he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.[2]

Johnson was born in Mobile, Alabama on October 6, 1949.[3] His mother, who finished high school, worked as a nurse's aide and his father, who didn't finish high school, was a World War II veteran. He had 5 siblings. His father explained the basic principles of electricity to Johnson at an early age, which inspired Johnson's love of inventing.[4]Stating that he "always liked to tinker with things," Johnson earned the nickname "the Professor" from kids in the neighborhood, who would assist him with his creations.[4] He once "tore up his sister's baby doll to see what made her eyes close".[2] On another occasion, Johnson and the neighborhood children made a go-cart, with a motor Johnson built by himself out of metal from the local junkyard.[4] He also tried to cook up rocket fuel in a saucepan but in doing so almost burned down the house.

More recently, he teamed up with scientists from both Tulane University and Tuskegee University to develop a method of transforming heat into electricity to make green energy more affordable.[9]

As of 2022, Johnson has three technology-development companies, Excellatron Solid State, LLC, Johnson Energy Storage, and Johnson Electro-Mechanical Systems (JEMS), operating in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia.[12][13][14] JEMS has developed the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter System (JTEC) which Popular Mechanics listed as one of the top 10 inventions of 2009.[15] Johnson Energy Storage has developed a solid-state battery and as of early 2023 is raising funds to develop a demonstration manufacturing line.[16]

Johnson is a "part of a group of African American inventors whose work accounts for 6 percent of all U.S. patent applications".[17]

The Black History Month Film Festival concludes on Monday Feb. 16 with the movie The First Rainbow Coalition. Doors open at 6:00 and the movies start at 6:30. All screenings are free and open to the public. The first 50 attendees at each screening will receive free concessions.

Early voting for the March 17 primary election started Feb 5. If you live in the city of Bloomington, you can vote early at the Election Commission Office, 121 N. Main St., 1st floor, Bloomington, IL. If you live in Normal or anywhere in McLean County, you can vote early at the Government Center, 115 E Washington St, Bloomington, IL 61701. Through the end of February, early voting hours for both locations are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30.

Your 2025 giving statement is availale in the Church Trac app under " Giving History". If you have any questions about your statement please send an email to the church at mountzioncc@outlook.com with the subject line "Giving statement - your last name".

The 18th annual Soulful Gospel Brunch, hosted by the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter (BNAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc will be held on Saturday, March 7 at the DoubleTree. This spirit-filled celebration features uplifting performances, a delicious buffet, and a vibrant mix of Black- owned businesses to support. Tickets are $75 for adults. Purchase tickets at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/18th-annual-soulful-gospel-brunch-tickets-1978686360168?aff=oddtdtcreator

The birthdays we know about are: Janice Croom, Pastor Davis, and Victoria Maddox. We're unaware of any March anniversaries. If your birthday or anniversary is in March, please let us know by completing the "It's Your Special Day" card on the app.