Our George W. Carver Environmental Legacy Awards (CELA) is coming up in April to celebrate Earth Day and the accomplishments of members in our community who have made extraordinary contributions within the environmental movement. 

We will honor four awardees during the April 20 event at the California Science Center. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ed Dwight, the First African American Astronaut Candidate and renowned sculptor.

We recognize Ed Dwight for his role as a leader pioneering a path for underserved communities. From his art sculptures that capture conceptual messages regarding contribution of African Americans to our society, to his earned title as the First African American Astronaut Candidate, Ed is a role model to many striving to find their way while struggling within the constraints of an underserved community. Environmental change is as much about saving the planet as it is creating climate equity for underserved communities, and inspiration from individuals like you offers a positive outlook.

Here’s more about Ed Dwight, from his website:

A man whose resume reads: former Air Force Test Pilot, America’s First African American Astronaut Candidate, IBM Computer Systems Engineer, Aviation Consultant, Restaurateur, Real Estate Developer and Construction Entrepreneur can best be described as a true renaissance man. Ed Dwight has succeeded in all these varied careers. However, for the last 40 years, Ed has focused his direction on the Fine Arts- Gallery Paintings & Sculptures, Large-scale Memorials and Public Art projects. Since his art career began in 1978, after attaining his MFA in Sculpture from the University of Denver, Dwight has become one of the most prolific and insightful sculptors in America.  

Born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, Ed left in 1953 to join the U.S. Air Force. After completing pilot training, he served as a military fighter pilot and obtained a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Arizona State University. In 1961 Dwight was chosen by President John F. Kennedy to enter training as an Experimental Test Pilot in preparation to become the first African American Astronaut.  Ed completed the Experimental Test Pilot course and entered Aerospace Research Pilot training, in preparation for Astronaut duties. He successfully completed the course and continued on to perform duties as a fully qualified Aerospace Research Pilot. Three years after the death of President Kennedy, Ed left the military and entered private life.

Ed Dwight has been an artist since his youth. He is a graduate engineer, a former USAF Test Pilot and America’s first African American Astronaut candidate. After successful careers as an Air Force Officer/Pilot, and real estate and construction entrepreneur, Ed has dedicated the last 33 years solely to his artistic endeavors.

In 1975, while in the Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) Program at the University of Denver, Ed was commissioned by the Colorado Centennial Commission to create a series of bronzes depicting the contribution of Blacks to the American Frontier West. The series of 50 bronzes was exhibited for several years throughout the United States, gaining widespread acceptance and critical acclaim. In 1979, while the series was on exhibit at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (National Park Service), Ed was encouraged to create a bronze series portraying the history and historical roots of Jazz. The series created, entitled “JAZZ: An American Art Form,” now consists of over 70 bronzes characterizing the creation and evolution of Jazz from its African and European roots to the fusion of contemporary music.

In 1978, Ed’s first large-scale commissioned work was the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. This life sized monument was commissioned by the National Park Service and is on display at the Douglass Museum in Anacostia, Maryland. Since this commission, Ed has completed over 128 Public Art & Large scale Memorial installations throughout the United States. He has also created over 18,000 gallery sculptures and is represented in several galleries throughout the country.

In 2009, Ed was honored with the commission to create an historical life size sculpture presentation of President Barack Obama’s first inauguration scene. The scene includes the President, The First Lady, the two Obama girls and Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath. The exhibit is on tour throughout the U.S. in museums & other venues. 

Currently, Ed operates a 30,000 sq. ft. studio/gallery and foundry in Denver. He employs several artisan craftsmen. He is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from his Alma Mater Arizona State University and hundreds of“Living Legends Awards” from around the Country for his achievements & contributions to racial progress through his many Memorials & Public Art. Museums, institutions and art appreciators throughout the world rigorously collect Ed’s sculptures.

More About CELA

Dr. George Washington Carver, an African American scientist, naturalist, visionary and environmentalist saw it fitting to pursue a life of uplifting his community through the use of ecology and science. His vision lives with us today. The GW Carver Environmental Legacy Awards is intended to serve as recognition for outstanding devotion and service to mankind.

Our award recognizes leaders within their prospective fields of academia, green technology/STEM, environmental justice/advocacy, entertainment and community service categories. These outstanding citizens have distinguished themselves within their prospective professions to have made a positive impact on humanity and our environment. We seek to honor their service to humanity and achievements with our award during this annual gala celebration.

Our George W. Carver Environmental Legacy Awards (CELA) is coming up in April to celebrate Earth Day and the accomplishments of members in our community who have made extraordinary contributions within the environmental movement. 

We will honor four awardees during the April 20 event at the California Science Center. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Barbara Shannon,  Director of STEM Education Emeritus

We recognize Dr. Shannon for her outstanding work in the environmental field, most specifically her work as the Director of STEM Education at Synergy Academies, and her essential role in empowering more Latino and African American students to pursue a career in the STEM field. Her work lifts those in the same underserved communities we support out of the circle of poverty, allowing them to accelerate their lives to successful careers. STEM careers will play a vital role in future environmental protections, and we are grateful for her impact in this area.

Here’s more from our interview with Dr. Shannon: 

Dr. Barbara grew up on a farm in Fontana, where the city limited access to water to certain times of day depending on your location north or south of Baseline Street. Her dad purchased a water tank which he filled every night, and shut off the fill valve in the morning. The family farm was home to chickens, rabbits, goats, cows, and pigs – and, as she put it: “We learned not to waste water, or someone, including the animals, would have to go without.”

Conservation is always seemingly an underlying thread of her life. In the 1970s, she started her teaching career – well aware of the active research California put into alternative energy sources such as nuclear, wind, geothermal and solar. This in combination with her childhood and influences from devastating storylines of movies like Soylent Green and Planet of the Apes encouraged Dr. Shannon to always think earth conscious – and to pass that attention on to her students. 

In the 1980s, she wrote a course entitled, “The Physical Ecology of Southern California,” which combined chemistry, biology, geology and ecology and took students on field trips to places such as San Onofre Nuclear plant, the Solar Field – Solar One, and the San Gorgonio Wind Farm.

She spent 8 years as the Director of STEM Education for Synergy Academies, which consists of three public charter schools located in South Los Angeles. The program includes a very active Environmental Science program that has evolved over the years, often incorporating research and understanding of the South LA Wetlands. 

“I have taught conservation at every place I have worked and tried to instill in the younger generation the necessity of taking care of the earth – air, water, plants, and animals,” Dr. Shannon said. “When I lived in Eureka, I watched as cancer rates climbed in areas affected by the paper mill pollution. When they built Costco, the soil was so contaminated they had to burn off the soil to clean it up. In South Los Angeles, I noticed an increase in cancer in families whose dwellings were built on land where car painting facilities once were. And now, with the drought, clean water is becoming scarce. Conservation is more important than ever.”

Even when programs had to pause during COVID, Dr. Shannon says the school found resources that “helped the students truly understand our impact on the environment and what we could do to reduce our carbon footprint and still enjoy life.” They hope to end this school year with a field trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, where students will see how the park uses conservation methods to help animal and plant species.

“One fault of humans is that we invent but don’t look at what our inventions can cause. In California, all new appliances are to be electric by 2026,” she said. “But energy is needed to make that electricity. Where will we get it? So, I think we need to look ahead when we come up with an idea to see who will be affected and how they will be affected.”

Dr. Barbara Shannon said she continues to learn every day from everyone. Some unique details about herself: she learned to shoot a bow and arrow at the age of 7, and her favorite hobby is reading science fiction/fantasy.

Dr. Barbara Shannon is the co-founder and founding principal of two schools: the middle school, Synergy Kinetic Academy (2008), and the high school, Synergy Quantum Academy (2011). Barbara has been an educator for 50 years. She holds a B.A. in Biology from CSU San Bernardino, an M.S. in Biology from Cal Poly Pomona, and a Doctorate in Learning and Instruction with an emphasis on Science Education from the USC Rossier School of Education. Before opening Synergy Kinetic Academy, she spent her summers doing research at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the City of Hope. 

We are truly humbled by the work that Dr. Shannon has done to influence young minds about the importance of conservation, and look forward to presenting her with this much deserved award on April 20.

More About CELA

Dr. George Washington Carver, an African American scientist, naturalist, visionary and environmentalist saw it fitting to pursue a life of uplifting his community through the use of ecology and science. His vision lives with us today. The GW Carver Environmental Legacy Awards is intended to serve as recognition for outstanding devotion and service to mankind.

Our award recognizes leaders within their prospective fields of academia, green technology/STEM, environmental justice/advocacy, entertainment and community service categories. These outstanding citizens have distinguished themselves within their prospective professions to have made a positive impact on humanity and our environment. We seek to honor their service to humanity and achievements with our award during this annual gala celebration.

Our George W. Carver Environmental Legacy Awards (CELA) is coming up in April to celebrate Earth Day and the accomplishments of members in our community who have made extraordinary accomplishments within the environmental movement. 

We will honor four awardees during the April 20 event at the California Science Center. Today, we’d like to introduce you to David McNeill, Executive Officer of the Baldwin Hills and Urban Watersheds Conservancy.

We recognize David for playing an instrumental role in many open space projects that have connected our communities with green space so that more people can enjoy the great outdoors. The Park the Playa Trail is a wonderful example of the important work that he’s done in his role, and his dedication to creating green space access for our community. 

Here’s more from our interview with David: 

David started with the Baldwin Hills and Urban Watersheds Conservancy 21 years ago, and said he was drawn to the mission because of its focus on creating access to green space for those currently without. He cited something called, “outdoor deficit disorder,” referring to youth that had never been to the forest or the beach – their only understanding of the outside world? Concrete.

“We were the poster child for equity and putting parks where people are – it wasn’t so much a matter of saving a species or dealing with the environment, as it was providing access to communities of color to get into the environment,” David said. “I am a people person – I wouldn’t be in this if it wasn’t impacting people’s lives. The most impactful work that I’ve done revolves around youth and families enjoying open space, and more importantly building a pipeline for people to do my job, except for to do it better than I did.”

David also advocates for individuals to be better heard, and especially for minority communities to realize they have a voice that can create needed change around them. Importantly, he says, every individual needs to find the puzzle piece that will create personal interest and passion within an environmental mission.

“You want a spark to happen,” he said. “You can have what you want as long as you know what you want and you ask for it.” 

For example, if an individual really likes bird watching – ask: how can I make that happen in my community? Or, to think: I think I should be able to walk to a park, how do I make that happen?

“I say you need to go out and have a voice and take control of it and get some ownership – finding that ownership is the key,” he said.

When it comes to enjoying nature, David said he enjoys road trips and exploring the various landscapes of California, having attended school in Oregon and driven the route many times.

“All the natural beauty that California has to offer humbles me,” David said.

We are truly humbled by the work that David has done to change the connection that so many underserved in our region have to nature, and look forward to presenting him with this much deserved award on April 20.

More About CELA

Dr. George Washington Carver, an African American scientist, naturalist, visionary and environmentalist saw it fitting to pursue a life of uplifting his community through the use of ecology and science. His vision lives with us today. The GW Carver Environmental Legacy Awards is intended to serve as recognition for outstanding devotion and service to mankind.

Our award recognizes leaders within their prospective fields of academia, green technology/STEM, environmental justice/advocacy, entertainment and community service categories. These outstanding citizens have distinguished themselves within their prospective professions to have made a positive impact on humanity and our environment. We seek to honor their service to humanity and achievements with our award during this annual gala celebration.