Mae Jemison is a pioneering figure in Black history as the first African American woman to travel to space. She was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. Jemison had a passion for science and space exploration from a young age, and she pursued her dream of becoming an astronaut by studying chemical engineering at Stanford University and attending medical school at Cornell University.

In 1987, Jemison was selected out of a pool of 2,000 applicants to join NASA's astronaut program. On September 12, 1992, she made history as she became the first African American woman to travel to space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-47. During her eight-day mission, Jemison conducted scientific experiments and research in collaboration with international teams.

After leaving NASA in 1993, Jemison went on to pursue a career in science education and advocacy. She founded the Jemison Group, a technology research company, and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, which promotes STEM education and encourages young people, especially girls and minorities, to pursue careers in science and technology.

Mae Jemison's groundbreaking achievements in space exploration and her dedication to promoting diversity in STEM fields have made her an inspiration and role model for future generations of Black scientists and astronauts.