Tyraine “Grand Hank” Ragsdale
Founder, CEO, Educator, Television Personality, Master Scientist
Tyraine Ragsdale, widely known as Grand Hank, is an award-winning scientist, STEM educator, and former research chemist at the Robert Wood Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, a division of Johnson & Johnson. He is the visionary Founder and CEO of both The Knowledge Factory, Inc. (TKFI) and Grand Hank Productions, Inc. (GHPI), multimedia education companies dedicated to transforming how STEM is taught and experienced—particularly for underrepresented youth.
A proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Chemistry, Tyraine chose the field due to his passion for curing illness and solving real-world problems through science. His strong scientific foundation, combined with a background in music and television, has allowed him to build dynamic, culturally relevant STEM content that speaks to “hard-to-reach” and “harder-to-interest” students. Using tools like contemporary hip-hop, live events, television programming, and curriculum design, Grand Hank has reached over 10 million students, parents, and teachers across the U.S. and internationally.
Since founding GHPI in 1989 and TKFI in 1998, Grand Hank has consistently broken barriers in STEM education. His unique approach—blending entertainment with rigorous science—has earned him widespread acclaim and positioned him as a national leader in science literacy and youth engagement.
Notable Achievements and Contributions:
- Co-founder and host of the acclaimed television series Science of Philadelphia and Science Lab of Grand Hank, broadcast for 19 years via the Philadelphia School District’s PSTV Network on Comcast and Verizon Fios.
- Founder of the Grand Hank STEM Road Show Tour, which has reached over 25 U.S. cities, introducing students to STEM and energy-related careers.
- Led an 11-city STEM tour across South Africa, covering 3,000+ miles and delivering professional development to underserved educators and students.
- Recipient of the George Washington Carver Award for excellence in science.
- Honored with the “Man of the Year” Award by the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.
- Invited to the 6th and final White House Science Fair with President Barack Obama.
- Delivered the keynote address at the National Conference of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) in Nashville, TN.
- Featured presenter at the U.S. Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC.
- Completed a 10-city STEM-Energy Tour sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute.
- Partnered with DuPont Corporation for a 5-city “Science Is Fun” Tour.
- Featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, radio shows, and television programs for his innovative contributions to education.
- Spearheaded the renovation and development of the Grand Hank STEM Center for Inner-City Youth, a 10,000 sq. ft. facility adjacent to LaSalle University in Philadelphia that provides advanced STEM opportunities to underserved communities.
Grand Hank’s mission is clear: to cultivate scientifically literate students and help return the United States to a global leadership position in STEM. His work continues to inspire new generations of innovators, scientists, and change-makers—proving that when education is meaningful, fun, and culturally connected, every student can succeed.
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