1983 – Guion Bluford Selected for Space Shuttle Mission

On May 17, 1983, Guion S. Bluford Jr. was officially announced as part of the crew for NASA’s STS-8 mission, making history as the first African American selected for spaceflight. Though the mission launched in August, the May 17 selection marked a monumental step in global Black achievement in STEM. Bluford’s selection broke racial barriers in the space industry and inspired a new generation of Black scientists and engineers worldwide. His inclusion signaled expanding opportunities for people of African descent in high-tech and research sectors. Countries in Africa and the Caribbean celebrated this milestone, viewing it as a victory against the narrative that excluded Black people from scientific advancement. Bluford’s career would go on to include four space missions, but May 17 stands as the turning point when representation in space exploration took a giant leap forward.