William “Bill” Montgomery is the visionary founder of Hidden Pioneers, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to uncovering and celebrating unsung heroes in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STREAM). With a career spanning entertainment, automotive culture, and education, Montgomery uniquely blends storytelling, mentorship, and innovation to inspire future generations and preserve overlooked legacies.
His mission is deeply personal. Montgomery is the cousin of Katherine Johnson, the legendary NASA mathematician whose calculations helped propel America into the Space Age. That connection to Johnson—one of the central figures highlighted in Hidden Figures—shaped Montgomery’s lifelong commitment to honoring pioneers whose brilliance has too often been excluded from mainstream history. Just as Johnson overcame systemic barriers to make history, Montgomery works to elevate innovators, particularly people of color, whose contributions deserve recognition and remembrance.
Through hands-on experience in vehicle design, motorsports, and engineering, Montgomery recognized the power of vehicles and media as tools for education, mentorship, and cultural restoration. That insight became the foundation for Hidden Pioneers.
Today, Hidden Pioneers preserves and amplifies the legacies of Black and Brown innovators across American history, with a strong emphasis on transportation and STREAM fields. Montgomery brings these stories to life through live events, educational programming, documentary-style media, and immersive exhibits that connect historical achievement with modern innovation.
At the heart of the organization is access—connecting students, especially from underrepresented communities, with real-world professionals, career pathways, and inspiration they may never have imagined possible.
More than a preservationist, William Montgomery is a pioneer in his own right—honoring the past while actively building bridges to the future.
duPont REGISTRY® has proudly supported the mission of Hidden Pioneers for more than five years, united by a shared commitment to education, inspiration, and legacy.
You are cordially invited to a memorial presentation honoring Ed "Isky" Iskenderian, presented as part of the Hidden Pioneers STREAM Family Night.
The evening will feature a keynote address by Rodney Allen Rippy and will be hosted at the Downey Space Museum in Los Angeles, California.
This special gathering brings together an extraordinary community of automotive legends and creative pioneers, including Bob Rosas, Barnaby Brokaw, David Earhart, Kris’s FM, and Arnold Yu, Vice President of HISONG, among many others.
The memorial will take place on Friday evening, February 27, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Please join us as Hidden Pioneers continues its mission to honor legacy, inspire innovation, and open pathways for future trailblazers, celebrating the enduring impact of those who built the foundations of transportation and creative culture.
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