September Founder's Corner Blog

From Grounded Dreams to Soaring beyond the Stars!

While working in the nation’s capital, my husband and I were privileged to meet Mr. Ed

Dwight at National Reagan Airport where, like him, we were waiting for our flight home

to Denver. One never knows how you’ll be treated when walking over to someone of

“substantive” celebrity to introduce yourself and simply say, “Thank you.” I will never

forget that day at National Reagan – an airport that I’ve flown into and out of too many

times to count. It was among my most special because on this day, we met Mr. Dwight,

who in his modest manner, beamed his welcoming smile. He never changes and always

selflessly shares his mighty wisdom.

In the early 1960s, Ed Dwight stood on the threshold of history. Handpicked by

President John F. Kennedy’s administration, he became the first Black astronaut

candidate—a monumental step in challenging racial barriers within NASA’s elite

training program. Yet Dwight never reached orbit in that era. Despite his remarkable

skill and determination, the entrenched racism of the time kept him from completing

astronaut training and achieving his dream of spaceflight. For many, that loss might

have extinguished the flame of ambition. For Dwight, it became fuel.

After leaving the Air Force, Mr. Dwight’s journey took him through multiple chapters of

reinvention. He thrived as an engineer and successful entrepreneur before discovering

his extraordinary talent in sculpture. Largely self-taught, he rose to international

acclaim, creating powerful bronze monuments that honor African American history and

resilience. Each piece he crafted was a declaration that obstacles could be turned into

enduring works of beauty.

And then, in 2024, at age 90, Mr. Dwight’s seemingly impossible dream became reality

when he flew into space, finally claiming his place among the stars. His lifelong

perseverance had come full circle, making him both a pioneer and a source of profound

inspiration. Today, a national campaign is underway to honor him further with a

Congressional Medal of Honor, recognizing both his trailblazing courage and his lifelong

contributions to American culture.

At the August 16, 2025, Soaring to the Stars in Gold community celebration hosted by

Sister Pat Duncan, founder and CEO of The Fellowship Community of Vikki Buckley, in

his honor in Denver, Mr. Dwight captured the essence of his journey:

“The sight of Earth from space is beautiful. If people would treat each other with

dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or anything else, we could

create a world of beauty.”

History may have delayed Ed Dwight’s flight, but it could never limit his reach.