Ed Dwight: The First Black Astronaut Candidate Who Never Gave Up on His Dreams

At 90 years old, Ed Dwight has proven that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. The first Black astronaut candidate in U.S. history, Dwight finally saw his dream of going into space come true on Sunday as he soared into the sky with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket company.

Dwight’s journey to space was a long and challenging one. Originally selected to be an astronaut in 1961 as part of President John F. Kennedy’s efforts to diversify the space program, Dwight faced numerous obstacles and setbacks along the way. Despite being championed by the White House and the Black community, he was never given the opportunity to go into space.

After leaving the Air Force in 1966, Dwight pursued a career as a sculptor, but his dream of space travel never faded. When he was selected for the Blue Origin flight, Dwight expressed his belief that going into space was not just about justice, but about fulfilling a lifelong dream.

As he rocketed into space alongside five other passengers, Dwight made history as the oldest person to ever go into space, surpassing actor William Shatner by just a few months. Reflecting on his journey, Dwight stated, “My whole life has been about getting things done. This is the culmination.”

Dwight’s story serves as a powerful reminder to never give up on your dreams, no matter how long it takes or how many obstacles you face. With determination and perseverance, anything is possible.