07/17/2026
A Living Legend
Ed Dwight is a sculptor, author, astronaut, entrepreneur, and inspiration for how far ambition and innovation can take you.
In 2024 he became the oldest person to ever travel to space on the Blue Origin NS-25 mission.
He joined the Air Force in 1953, becoming a Captain, being hand-selected by President Kennedy as the first black man to train for the NASA space program.
Eventually he retired to open a BBQ restaurant in Denver, and began sculpting at his art studio in 1977, gaining an education in African-American history through the process.
His major artistic works focused around civil rights leaders, the Underground Railroad, and eventually jazz legends that shaped the musical future as he dedicated his career to sharing African American history.
These very sculptures and stories are on display at History Colorado’s newest exhibition, “Ed Dwight: Casting a Legacy,” for the next 6 months.
More than 500 people attended its unveiling.