Black Wings: American Dreams Of Flight

The air is the only place free from prejudices.
—Bessie Coleman, the first female African American pilot

Created in collaboration with the National Air and Space Museum, Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight chronicles the story of African Americans who, despite facing tremendous racial barriers, attained amazing achievements in aviation history. From the brave pioneers of the 1910s to today’s astronauts, Black Wings celebrates the fact that flying is not limited by race.

In December 1903, the Wright Brothers signaled the arrival of the new Air Age when they flew an airplane for twelve seconds at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This moment signaled the beginning of America’s new fascination with flight.  And while many African Americans shared the widespread enthusiasm for flight, this beginning coincided with an old tradition—racial discrimination. Blacks were soon denied access to formal training as pilots and mechanics. Despite these racial barriers, a powerful group of African American air enthusiasts emerged to challenge these obstacles and create their own legacy in the world of aviation. Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight chronicles this group.

The fact is that space and its resources belong to all of us, not to any one group.
—Dr. Mae C. Jemison, the first African American woman to fly in space

Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. The exhibition was made possible by the generous support of MetLife Foundation.