Honoring Black Space Pioneers: Mae Jemison and Guion 'Guy' Bluford

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Shirley Chisholm said, "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." This week, we're honoring two people who did just that, and so much more.

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Mae Jemison and Guion 'Guy' Bluford were the first Black woman and man in space. Their respective lists of accomplishments are SO long, we can't fit them all here, so we've gathered a few of the highlights to blow your mind and get you started.

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Mae Jemison became the first Black woman in space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1987. She was also the first (and only) Black woman to be inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame, AND the first real-life astronaut to appear on Star Trek: The Next Generation!

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Guion 'Guy' Bluford first went into space in 1983, logging over 688 hours, or 28 days, in space aboard both the Challenger and Discovery. After his time at NASA, he led the research support effort in aeropropulsion, satellite systems, microgravity and advanced materials.

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Their boundless drive, curiosity, and persistence despite resistance along the way have made Mae and Guion bright reminders to everyone who follows in their footsteps: the sky is no longer the limit.

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