Black Wings Family Day: Lecture, Family Activities, and History Performance

Please note that due to our HVAC project and the temporary closure of the 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, this event will be held at Hillside Community Center (925 S. Institute St).  

This event is FREE, pre-registration is required.

Schedule

12:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Family-Friendly STEM Activities presented by the Space Foundation Discovery Center; Food Trucks. 

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: The Life of Bessie Coleman: First African-American Female Aviator – Historical Reenactment of the life of the of the world’s first African-American female to become a licensed pilot in the 1920’s, presented by Gigi Coleman.

In honor of Black History Month, join the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and the Space Foundation Discovery Center for a FREE celebration of African American’s amazing achievements in aviation history. The Black Wings Family Day features family-friendly STEM activities, food trucks, and a historical performance by Gigi Coleman, the great niece of Bessie Coleman, the first female African American pilot.

ABOUT GIGI COLEMAN

Gigi’s late grandmother was Bessie Coleman’s youngest sister, Georgia. Gigi’s mother is the late Marion Coleman who in 1995, successfully petitioned the United States Postal Service for the Bessie Coleman postal stamp. Following her mother’s commitment to Queen Bess’ legacy, Gigi is passionate in her endeavors to inform the world about Bessie’s achievements in the field of aviation.

She tours her one woman show and portrays the story of her Great-Aunt Bessie to challenge the minds of the young and old and to encourage individuals to achieve their dreams. Some of the places she has performed is the Cleveland OH Women’s Air and Space Museum, Embry Riddle University, Florida Memorial University, United Airlines, Charles H Wright Museum, the Northern IN Mayor’s Roundtable, and OSH KOSH Air Show to name a few! 

She also inspires youth to be interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through her aviation 501(C)3 program – The Bessie Coleman Aviation All-stars (BCAA). Its mission is to expose disadvantaged youth to career opportunities in the field of aviation. BCAA is associated with “After School Matters” at Gwendolyn Brooks High School. Students learn aviation history, operate flight simulators, visited airports, flown drones, obtained drone certification and flown airplanes! In 2013, the first year of the program, BCAA was selected number one of “After School Matters” of Southside Chicago!  BCAA has featured on ABC Chicago news and many other media sources.