Dwayne C. Brown
SCIENCE NEVER SLEEPS!
In 1969, the historic Apollo 11 moon landing captivated millions worldwide, including nine-year-old Dwayne Brown, who watched the unprecedented event on a black-and-white television in Washington, D.C. Little did Dwayne know that one day, he would find himself in a jet cockpit next to the iconic "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Dwayne's educational pursuits and early career experiences began the countdown to his memorable NASA journey. Internships in 1980-1982 at NASA Headquarters and the United Negro College Fund Governmental Affairs offices in D.C. and as a local Atlanta radio sports and city reporter were pivotal in developing his skills and passion for communications.
After graduating from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), Dwayne was called back to NASA in 1983, marking the beginning of a nearly four-decade-long tenure. His education did not stop with his undergraduate degree; Brown further honed his communication and leadership expertise through programs at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, George Washington University, and the University of Virginia. These experiences prepared him for the senior-level roles he would assume at NASA.
Throughout his career, Dwayne emerged as a key figure within the agency. Forging connections with countless communicators, scientists, engineers, astronauts, and other decision-makers across NASA and the aerospace industry, he distinguished himself through leadership, collaboration, and mentorship. He also became a celebrity on NASA Television, hosting hundreds of media briefings viewed by global audiences.
In 1998, Dwayne achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African American to lead NASA's Space Flight Communications Office.
He played crucial roles in coordinating communications planning and activities for over 35 space shuttle missions, including the first flight of an African American woman astronaut, Dr. Mae Jemison; Senator John Glenn's historic return to space; Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle commander; and pivotal missions constructing the International Space Station and servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. He also served as the "first boots on the ground" public affairs officer to coordinate communications for the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, where recovery operations were headquartered in rural Texas.
In 2004, he helped lead communications for NASA's Educator Astronaut Program before transitioning to the agency's renowned science division in 2005. There, he continued to break new ground as the longest-serving senior communications official until his retirement in 2019. Dwayne oversaw communications for groundbreaking science missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope construction, robotic missions to Mars, the first-ever mission to Pluto, a mission to touch the sun, and a spacecraft designed to return an asteroid sample to Earth.
One of Dwayne's many remarkable adventures occurred in 2006 when he joined an international team of scientists in the Sahara Desert to coordinate a television documentary about a solar eclipse and why this unique celestial event is vital to science and Earth's future existence. His most memorable achievement was anchoring NASA's August 2017 solar eclipse broadcast, captivating millions worldwide.
Dwayne's NASA legacy remains in his immortalized catchphrase, "Science Never Sleeps," featured in a Hollywood film and celebrated on commercial merchandise.
His integrity, leadership, and dedication to sharing NASA's achievements have earned him prestigious accolades, including the U.S. government's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the NASA Silver Snoopy, awarded only by an astronaut.
He remains a source of inspiration in retirement, advocating for excellence and encouraging students through his work with "Against All Odds." His motto, "Strive for excellence – not perfection” underscores his commitment to lifelong learning and inspiration.
Dwayne's impact goes beyond his contributions to space exploration and science communication. His legacy and mentorship remain in the lives he has touched and the knowledge he has shared, embodying a life dedicated to exploration, education, and empowerment.
