On This Day in 2002: Frederick Gregory Becomes NASA’s First Black Deputy Administrator

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Frederick D. Gregory, front left, leads the crew of the STS-44 Atlantis mission as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Nov. 24, 1991. Gregory later became NASA's first Black Deputy Administrator in 2002 and the first Black person to lead the agency as Acting Administrator in 2005. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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(AURN News) — On this day, Aug. 12, 2002, Frederick D. Gregory was sworn in as NASA’s first Black Deputy Administrator.

Born in Washington, D.C., Gregory began his career as a military pilot before joining NASA’s astronaut corps in 1978.

He flew three space shuttle missions and became the first Black astronaut to command a space shuttle mission in 1989.

Gregory later moved into leadership roles at NASA, serving as Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Assurance and Associate Administrator for Space Flight.

In 2002, President George W. Bush nominated him to become NASA’s Deputy Administrator, and the Senate confirmed him.

Gregory served in that position until 2005.

That year, he became NASA’s Acting Administrator, making him the first Black person to lead the agency.

Gregory’s career included work as a pilot, astronaut and NASA official, marking several milestones for Black representation in the U.S. space program.

Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.

Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC. Twitter: @claycane

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