Ed Dwight Nearly the First Black Astronaut — but Art Became His Life Mission

Inside 88-year-old Ed Dwight’s art studio in Denver, Colorado, is a collection of stories told through the sculptures he creates. 
 
But before Dwight became an artist dedicated to memorializing notable figures in Black history, he had hopes of making history of his own in space.   
 
Dwight was among one of the first African Americans who participated in an Air Force training program from which NASA selected astronauts. He was popular among many, including former President John F. Kennedy — who wanted to send a Black astronaut into space. 
 
Dwight recalled the first time he learned he may get to go to space.

More From CBS