Written in the Stars Collector Mug is inspired by Dr. Guion S. Bluford Jr., an aerospace engineer and astronaut born in Philadelphia in 1942. He attended public schools in Philadelphia, where a guidance counselor once told him he was not college material. At home, however, his parents taught him that anything was possible through hard work and education, and he carried that belief with him.
He went on to attend Penn State University, where he studied aerospace engineering and graduated near the top of his class. After college, he served as a pilot in the United States Air Force, flying 144 combat missions. He continued his education and earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, becoming highly skilled in areas such as computational fluid dynamics, a field that studies how air flows around aircraft and spacecraft. Later in his career, he also served in engineering leadership roles, including positions such as branch chief, helping guide research and technical teams.
In 1978, more than 8,000 people applied to become NASA astronauts, and Dr. Bluford was selected for training. After years of preparation, he launched into space on August 30, 1983, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first African American to travel into space and writing his name in history. He later flew four space missions and spent more than 28 days in space.
Dr. Bluford was also a husband and family man, and after leaving NASA he continued working in engineering and aerospace technology, helping develop systems used in aviation and defense.
Looking at his life from the beginning to the end, many people say his path almost seemed written in the stars, but his journey was built step by step through education, discipline, challenge, and the belief that anything is possible when you prepare and keep going.
The background artwork on this mug comes from an original painting created by my son, Lamonte, whose creative expression and imagination are a constant reminder that legacy is not only something we inherit, but something we continue to build. This piece brings together history, voice, and the next generation of artists in one meaningful object meant to be used every day.
• Ceramic
• 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.79″ (9.6 cm) in height, 3.25″ (8.3 cm) in diameter
• 15 oz mug dimensions: 4.69″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.35″ (8.5 cm) in diameter
• Lead and BPA-free material
• Colored rim, inside, and handle
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
