STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

This Day in Black History: March 30, 1962

Capt. Edward J. Dwight Jr. became the first African-American candidate for astronaut training on March 30, 1962.

(Photo: Public Domain)

Air Force Capt. Edward J. Dwight Jr. made headlines worldwide after becoming the first African-American candidate for astronaut training on March 30, 1962. He was given the opportunity after Whitney Young, then head of the National Urban League, recommended him to the Kennedy administration.

Sadly, Dwight faced a lot of discrimination from other astronauts that only grew worse after the assassination of President Kennedy. Not only did he not make it to space, he resigned from the program in 1966.

It was the start of a whole new beginning for him. As a child, Dwight's ambition was to work as an artist, but his father had different ideas and encouraged him to study engineering. After leaving the military, he worked as an engineer for IBM, as an aviation consultant, and founded Dwight Development Associates Inc., a real estate land development and construction company.

He also earned a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Denver, where he concentrated on sculpting. Today he owns and operates Ed Dwight Studios Inc., a Denver-based studio, gallery and foundry that focuses largely on public art and memorials.

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation,
including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click 
here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Beyoncé, Snoop DoggR. Kelly, Erykah BaduKendrick Lamar and many more. Go here for more details and info on how to buy tickets.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.