Roy Clay: Godfather of Silicon Valley

Roy Clay was a founding member of HP’s first computer division. Personally recruited to the company by Dave Packard in 1965, Clay led the design team for HP’s first computer, the 2116A, for which he also wrote the software. As the highest-ranking Black HP employee for a time, he used his position to help the company improve its efforts to combat discrimination and inequality. Other accomplishments included being the first Black city councilman in Palo Alto, election as Vice Mayor of the city, and induction into the Silicon Valley Hall of Fame. His contributions would garner him the nickname “The Godfather of Silicon Valley.”