They came from different backgrounds, different hometowns, and different eras. But they all had a similar dream – to fly. And they all had the same obstacle – being black in 20th century America. Despite the prejudice of the day, many made their dreams come true.
From early barnstormers to war heroes to commercial pilots, African Americans have an enduring legacy in the sky, and their stories are as much about persistence and triumph as they are about the exhilaration of flight.