Dr. Charles Drew was a prominent African American physician and medical researcher who made significant contributions to the fields of blood transfusion and blood banking during the early 20th century. Born on June 3, 1904, in Washington, D.C., Drew graduated from Amherst College in 1926 and went on to earn his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal in 1933.

During World War II, Dr. Drew was appointed as the director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank, where he pioneered methods for the long-term storage and preservation of blood plasma. His groundbreaking research and development of blood banks revolutionized the field of medicine and saved countless lives.

Despite his achievements, Dr. Charles Drew faced racial discrimination in the medical and scientific communities, including being denied a position at the American Red Cross due to his race. Nevertheless, he continued his research and advocacy for equal treatment in blood donation and transfusion.

Dr. Charles Drew's legacy in the medical field continues to inspire generations of African American physicians and researchers. He died tragically in a car accident on April 1, 1950, but his contributions to medicine and his activism for racial equality have left an indelible mark on Black history.