Celebrating BIack Innovators: Thomas JenningsOver 200 years ago, Thomas Jennings became the first Black person to hold a U.S. patent for his invention of dry-scouring, the precursor to modern dry cleaning. His groundbreaking technique revolutionized fabric care and laid the foundation for the dry-cleaning industry we rely on today.Jennings didn’t just stop there—he used the earnings from his invention to support the abolitionist movement and fight for racial equality, leaving a legacy of innovation and activism.