The background artwork on this mug comes from an original painting created by my son, Lamonte. His creative expression and imagination are a constant reminder that legacy is not only something we inherit, but something we continue to build. This piece brings together history, voice, and the next generation of artists in one meaningful object meant to be used every day and reflected on over time.
I Create What the World Needs Collector Mug honors the life and legacy of Granville Tailer Woods, an African American inventor and electrical engineer born in Columbus, Ohio, on April 23, 1856. He attended school as a child but left formal education around the age of ten to work and support himself. Woods continued learning through apprenticeships, night classes, and hands-on work in machine shops and on railroads, studying mechanics and electricity. In 1876, he enrolled in a technical college in New York City, where he studied electrical and mechanical engineering and strengthened the skills that would shape his career.
Woods earned more than 60 patents during his lifetime. His inventions improved communication, railway safety, electrical systems, and transportation infrastructure during a time when cities were growing quickly. His Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph allowed trains and stations to communicate, helping prevent collisions and making rail travel safer. Woods defended his work in court when Thomas Edison challenged one of his patents and won the case, later declining an offer to work for Edison so he could remain independent. His life shows that knowledge can come from study, practice, and determination, and that new ideas can change the way the world moves.
The message of this mug connects both stories. Granville T. Woods used his knowledge to create things the world needed, and Lamonte’s artwork reflects the same spirit of curiosity, creativity, and growth. Together, they remind us that ideas begin small, but with patience and persistence, they can grow into something meaningful.
• Ceramic
• 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.79″ (9.6 cm) in height, 3.25″ (8.3 cm) in diameter
• 15 oz mug dimensions: 4.69″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.35″ (8.5 cm) in diameter
• Lead and BPA-free material
• Colored rim, inside, and handle
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
