Space in LA: The Untold Story of Black Aerospace Pioneers

At a time when there are executive orders demanding the termination of programs aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion at federally-funded scientific institutions like JPL and NASA, we are going back in history to hear the stories of the first Black aerospace engineers who entered the workforce through a program aimed to integrate these spaces.

This special live event is hosted by Antonia Cerejeido (she/her), host of LAist’s “Imperfect Paradise” podcast and is inspired by “LA Made: The Other Moonshot” from LAist Studios.

“LA Made: The Other Moonshot,” tells the story of three Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles, who played a crucial role in America’s race to space, amid the civil unrest of the 1960s. Host Joanne Higgins grew up hearing her godfather tell stories about his work on the Apollo mission to the moon. But as an adult, Higgins realizes his contributions – and those of other Black engineers – had been overlooked and left out of history books. She sets out to correct that and ensure their stories are finally told. Join Higgins in this four-part series, as three “hidden figures” give their accounts for the first time of their experiences in aerospace that broke racial barriers and helped the U.S. land on the moon.

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