We could not fail: the first African Americans in the Space Program

A man of firsts: Julius Montgomery

"There was a lot of history there": Theodis Ray

Stronger than steel: Frank Crossley

Dixie's role in the Space Age

First of race in space: Ed Dwight

The view from space: George Carruthers

"Huntsville, it has always been unique": Delano Hyder and Richard Hall

The country spartacus: Clyde Foster

Water walkers: Morgan Watson and George Bourda

Conclusion

Appendix: Relevant census numbers on employed professional and skilled labor for NASA host states.