Powell, William J. (aviator)
1897-1942 · Contribution: 1929-1931
Transportation
Founded the Bessie Coleman Aero Club and organized the first all-Black air show in U.S. history
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1897-1942
- Active since
- 1929-1931
- Category
- Transportation
Impact on the world
Powell built the institutions, spectacle, and literature that promoted 'air-mindedness' among Black Americans, laying cultural groundwork for the Tuskegee Airmen.
Sources
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
1 more sources and references are available to members.
More in Transportation
Allen, Thomas C.
unknown
Co-completed the first transcontinental flight by Black pilots in U.S. history, serving as mechanic and co-pilot alongside James Herman Banning
Banning, James Herman
1899-1933
First African American to be licensed as a pilot by the U.S. government; co-completed the first transcontinental flight by Black pilots
Beard, Andrew
1849-1921
Improved automatic railroad car coupler (Janney coupler design)
Bluford, Guion 'Guy' Jr.
1942-
Aerospace engineering and human spaceflight