What I learned over time and now know about my hometown is that a key moment was when German scientists after WWII came to the Redstone Arsenal Army Base and also helped to established the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. I'm not saying discrimination never happened, yet the need for labor force in hi-tech related companies was so pressing that if a person of color had the skills, they were needed, and they could make good money in that area.
In simpler words, Blacks in Engineering and Science related fields in the city have truly been blessed over the years with awesome opportunities. I do know that behind the scenes, there were many people that helped to make this happen. John Cashin is a name that definitely comes to mind. -->
https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca..._jr_dies_at_82/2011/03/27/AFQNxnlB_story.html
Thanks to him and others, the powers that be recognized that it was to the community's advantage to allow capable people thrive in spite of race or economic factors.
Now of course there still have been incidents and challenges at various times, but so many peeps from around the way that came before, during, and after my time in Huntsville are doing so well and I am very proud of them.