''The Other Moonshot'' Spotlights Forgotten Black Engineers

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 22, 2025

''The Other Moonshot''

LAist Studios is set to premiere "The Other Moonshot" on January 29, a new podcast series that brings to light the pivotal yet overlooked contributions of three Black aerospace engineers to the Apollo missions. Hosted by Joanne Higgins, the four-part series will delve into the stories of Charlie Cheathem, Nathaniel LeVert, and the late Shelby Jacobs who faced significant racial barriers while shaping America's lunar ambitions.

The series is part of KPCC (LAist)'s "LA Made," which profiles California's trailblazers. This season focuses on the trio's herculean efforts during the 1960s at North American Aviation in Los Angeles, where they overcame rampant discrimination to solve some of NASA's most challenging engineering problems.

Higgins, inspired by her godfather Cheathem's legacy, embarked on this project to ensure the engineers' stories are remembered. "It's been an ambition of mine for many years to get their story out there. And now it is. It's my gift to Charlie," said Higgins.

"Blood, Sweat & Rockets," the first season of "LA Made," initially brought LAist Studios to these engineers' stories, sparking the creation of "The Other Moonshot." According to Shana Naomi Krochmal, VP of Podcasting at LAist, the podcast not only explores the scientific achievements of these engineers but also their struggle for recognition and equality in the workplace.

The series promises an intimate look at the professional and personal battles these engineers faced, narrated through firsthand accounts from Cheathem and LeVert, as well as archival insights from Jacobs.

Listeners can subscribe to "The Other Moonshot" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms, with episodes to be released weekly starting next Wednesday.