Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy is named for Guion "Guy" S. Bluford, Jr., retired Colonel from the United States Air Force, former NASA Astronaut, and first African American in space; Charles Drew, (1904-1950) physician and medical researcher developed the method for preserving and reconstituting blood and the system for storing blood plasma (blood bank); and Dr. Mae C. Jemison, physician, retired NASA astronaut, and the first African American woman to travel in space; three African Americans who have made significant contributions to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics realms.