
LA Made: The Other Moonshot | The story of three Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles, who played a crucial role in America’s race to space, amid the civil unrest of the 1960s | Guest: Joanne Higgins
03/04/25 • 38 min
Guest:
Guest: Joanne Higgins
👉 https://laist.com/podcasts/la-made
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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society & Technology Podcast
Visit Marco's website 👉 https://www.marcociappelli.com
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This Episode’s Sponsors
BlackCloak 👉 https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb
Show Notes Blog:
The moon landing was one of humanity’s most celebrated achievements—a technological marvel, a leap into the unknown, and a moment that defined an era. But history is often incomplete, and some of the most brilliant minds behind that achievement were left out of the story.
That’s where LA Made: The Other Moonshot comes in. Host Joanne Higgins takes us on a journey to uncover the untold contributions of three Black aerospace engineers who helped make the Apollo mission possible—despite facing systemic discrimination every step of the way. These men weren’t just solving some of the most complex engineering challenges of their time; they were also battling for their place in an industry that barely acknowledged them.
Joanne’s personal connection to this story—growing up hearing these experiences firsthand from her godfather, Charlie Cheathem—drove her to document their legacy before it was lost. What she uncovered is more than just a piece of forgotten history; it’s a story about resilience, recognition, and the ongoing struggle for inclusion in science and technology.
In this episode of Redefining Society & Technology, we explore not just the space race but the human race—the fight for acknowledgment, the hidden struggles behind innovation, and the lasting impact of these unsung pioneers. Because technology is only part of the equation; the people behind it matter just as much.
Let’s talk about it.
Subscribe to this Redefinign Sociey & Technology podcast on your favorite Podcast Player and stay tuned for the next episode!
Thank you for listening,
Marco Ciappelli
_____________________________
Resources/References
LA Made: The Other Moonshot
Exploring stories of bold Californian innovators and how they forever changed the lives of millions all over the world.
“LA Made: The Other Moonshot,” tells the story of three Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles, who played a crucial role in America’s race to space, amid the civil unrest of the 1960s. Host Joanne Higgins grew up hearing her godfather tell stories about his work on the Apollo mission to the moon. But as an adult, Higgins realizes his contributions – and those of other Black engineers – had been overlooked and left out of history books. She sets out to correct that and ensure their stories are finally told. Join Higgins in this four-part series, as three “hidden figures” give their accounts for the first time of their experiences in aerospace that broke racial barriers and helped the U.S. land on the moon.
👉 https://laist.com/podcasts/la-made
____________________________
Listen to more Redefining Society & Technology stories and subscribe to the podcast:
👉 https://redefiningsocietyandtechnologypodcast.com
Watch the webcast version on-demand on YouTube:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTUoWMGGQHlGVZA575VtGr9
Are you interested Promotional Brand Stories for your Company and Sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/advertise-on-itspmagazine-podcast
Guest:
Guest: Joanne Higgins
👉 https://laist.com/podcasts/la-made
_____________________________
Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society & Technology Podcast
Visit Marco's website 👉 https://www.marcociappelli.com
_____________________________
This Episode’s Sponsors
BlackCloak 👉 https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb
Show Notes Blog:
The moon landing was one of humanity’s most celebrated achievements—a technological marvel, a leap into the unknown, and a moment that defined an era. But history is often incomplete, and some of the most brilliant minds behind that achievement were left out of the story.
That’s where LA Made: The Other Moonshot comes in. Host Joanne Higgins takes us on a journey to uncover the untold contributions of three Black aerospace engineers who helped make the Apollo mission possible—despite facing systemic discrimination every step of the way. These men weren’t just solving some of the most complex engineering challenges of their time; they were also battling for their place in an industry that barely acknowledged them.
Joanne’s personal connection to this story—growing up hearing these experiences firsthand from her godfather, Charlie Cheathem—drove her to document their legacy before it was lost. What she uncovered is more than just a piece of forgotten history; it’s a story about resilience, recognition, and the ongoing struggle for inclusion in science and technology.
In this episode of Redefining Society & Technology, we explore not just the space race but the human race—the fight for acknowledgment, the hidden struggles behind innovation, and the lasting impact of these unsung pioneers. Because technology is only part of the equation; the people behind it matter just as much.
Let’s talk about it.
Subscribe to this Redefinign Sociey & Technology podcast on your favorite Podcast Player and stay tuned for the next episode!
Thank you for listening,
Marco Ciappelli
_____________________________
Resources/References
LA Made: The Other Moonshot
Exploring stories of bold Californian innovators and how they forever changed the lives of millions all over the world.
“LA Made: The Other Moonshot,” tells the story of three Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles, who played a crucial role in America’s race to space, amid the civil unrest of the 1960s. Host Joanne Higgins grew up hearing her godfather tell stories about his work on the Apollo mission to the moon. But as an adult, Higgins realizes his contributions – and those of other Black engineers – had been overlooked and left out of history books. She sets out to correct that and ensure their stories are finally told. Join Higgins in this four-part series, as three “hidden figures” give their accounts for the first time of their experiences in aerospace that broke racial barriers and helped the U.S. land on the moon.
👉 https://laist.com/podcasts/la-made
____________________________
Listen to more Redefining Society & Technology stories and subscribe to the podcast:
👉 https://redefiningsocietyandtechnologypodcast.com
Watch the webcast version on-demand on YouTube:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTUoWMGGQHlGVZA575VtGr9
Are you interested Promotional Brand Stories for your Company and Sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/advertise-on-itspmagazine-podcast
Previous Episode

Cyber Wars: How Elite Teams Stay Ahead of the Game | A Conversation with Gary Hayslip | The Soulful CXO Podcast with Dr. Rebecca Wynn
Guest: Gary Hayslip, CISO, SoftBank Investment Advisors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghayslip/
Website: cisodrg.com/biographies/gary-hayslip/
Host: Dr. Rebecca Wynn
On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/rebecca-wynn
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This Episode’s Sponsors
Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network
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Episode Description
In this episode of Soulful CXO, host Dr. Rebecca Wynn speaks with Gary Hayslip about how elite cybersecurity teams stay ahead of constantly evolving threats. Gary shares insights from his extensive experience across government, military, and corporate sectors, discussing the critical role of proactive defense strategies, risk governance frameworks, and resilience-building techniques. He highlights the importance of aligning cybersecurity initiatives with business objectives, fostering executive collaboration, and developing a security culture that enables organizations to thrive in an unpredictable digital landscape. With practical leadership advice and real-world examples, this episode provides valuable strategies for CISOs and security professionals looking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
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Resources
Gary Hayslips books, CISO Reference Guides: https://a.co/d/clcNIBd
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Support:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/soulfulcxo
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For more podcast stories from The Soulful CXO Podcast With Rebecca Wynn: https://www.itspmagazine.com/the-soulful-cxo-podcast
ITSPMagazine YouTube Channel:
📺 https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazine
Be sure to share and subscribe!
Next Episode

Bridging Digital and Physical Security: Protecting Executives in an Evolving Threat Landscape | A BlackCloak Brand Story with Chris Pierson
In an era where personal and professional lives are increasingly intertwined in the digital realm, the security of high-profile individuals extends far beyond corporate firewalls. Executives, board members, and high-net-worth individuals face growing threats not just to their businesses but also to their families and personal lives. The convergence of cybersecurity and physical security has never been more evident, and BlackCloak is at the forefront of addressing this modern challenge.
In this episode of ITSPmagazine’s Brand Story series, hosts Marco Ciappelli and Sean Martin sit down with Dr. Chris Pierson, CEO and Founder of BlackCloak, to explore the increasing risks posed by cybercriminals, data brokers, and even nation-state actors, all of whom exploit publicly available information to orchestrate real-world threats. With the rise of doxing, swatting, and targeted attacks on corporate leadership, it is clear that safeguarding digital identities is no longer optional—it is essential.
Dr. Pierson shares insights on how BlackCloak’s concierge approach blends cutting-edge technology with a personalized human touch, ensuring that executives and their families can navigate the digital world securely. From removing personal information from data broker websites to mitigating deep web threats, BlackCloak’s unique approach focuses on proactive protection rather than reactive crisis management. The conversation also touches on recent high-profile security breaches and their implications, highlighting the urgent need for businesses to extend cybersecurity measures beyond the enterprise network.
As digital and physical threats continue to merge, organizations must rethink their approach to executive security. This episode is a wake-up call for leaders who may underestimate the exposure they and their families face. Tune in to learn why digital executive protection is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and how BlackCloak is setting the standard for safeguarding the modern executive.
For those looking to take control of their digital privacy and security, visit BlackCloak.io and connect with Dr. Chris Pierson on LinkedIn. The intersection of cybersecurity and personal safety is here—how prepared are you?
Learn more about BlackCloak: https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb
Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.
Guest: Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak | On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherpierson/
Resources
Download the Whitepaper | Executive Protection at Home is the Major Gap in Cybersecurity: https://itspm.ag/blackcue74
Learn more and catch more stories from BlackCloak: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/blackcloak
Are you interested in telling your story?
https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story
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