Man who hoped to be first Black astronaut in 60s heading to space [Video]

His dream of going to space fell by the wayside for more than 60 years. But Dwight has been selected as one of the six civilians to travel to the edge of space.

Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to enter an Air Force training program known as the path to NASA’s Astronaut Corps.

When he got the letter in 1961 offering him the opportunity to be the first Black astronaut, “I thought these dudes were crazy,” Dwight told national correspondent Jericka Duncan in 2022.

After completing the program in 1963, the Air Force recommended he join the corps, but he wasn’t selected and entered private life in 1966.

Dwight said he felt discrimination among his peers during the training.

“So, all these White folks that I’m dealing with, I mean, my peers, the other guys that were astronaut candidates and the leadership was just horrified at the idea of my coming …

Tags Missionary Training, Missions, Missions Education, Missions Programs, Training Programs