Vanessa Wyche Named Grand Marshal for Houston’s 44th Annual Original MLK Day Parade

The City of Houston named NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche as the 2022 grand marshal of the 44th Annual Original Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. Plans have recently been announced for the event, which is scheduled to be in person this year.

Along with Wyche’s special recognition, the city will salute and honor African American astronauts who have or will travel to space in the future.

“I’m thankful to the City of Houston, Mayor (Sylvester) Turner, and Black Heritage Society for recognizing me and our African American NASA astronauts who can dream big thanks to leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who had a bold vision for our nation. At NASA, we promote racial equality, eliminate barriers, and ensure fairness for all, and I’m looking forward to the day we land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface under Artemis,” Wyche said.

Wyche is not only the first African American to lead Johnson, she’s the first African American woman to lead any NASA center. A passionate promoter of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Wyche also serves as a member of Clemson University’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences advisory board; the University of Houston’s C. T. Bauer College of Business advisory panel; the Houston Exponential board of directors; and is a past chair of the Space Center Houston board of directors. She is the recipient of two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two NASA Achievement Medals, and is a current fellow of the International Women’s Forum.

Johnson’s African American Employee Resource Group (AAERG) will also take part in the event, which starts at 10 a.m. downtown on Monday, Jan. 17.

“For the past 10 years, the AAERG has been committed to public outreach and making sure our community has role models in STEM careers they can see and talk to,” said AAERG Chair Candice Palacios. “The MLK Parade has afforded us the opportunity to engage with the community on many levels, and we really enjoy the comradery of the event and will continue to support the Houston area and, hopefully, inspire future NASA employees.”

This year's theme for the parade is “Be A Drum Major for Justice.” Spectators can expect to see marching bands, colorful floats, and more in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. and Houston as the fourth most diverse city in the United States.

Opportunities to join the AAERG in volunteering and festivities at the parade will be forthcoming in Roundup Today.

Watch below as City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announces Wyche as the parade grand marshal, with Wyche accepting the honor during a virtual appearance.