Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight

February 7 – June 30, 2025

Opening reception: Friday, February 7, 2025, 5:00-8:00 PM
Free to the public

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

This powerful exhibition chronicles inspiring stories of African Americans who, despite facing tremendous racial barriers, made remarkable contributions to aviation history—from the pioneers of the 1910s to today’s astronauts.

Black Wings highlights the triumph and determination of individuals who defied convention and broke the color barriers of flight. Two of the many figures presented in this exhibition are early aviators Bessie Coleman and William J. Powell.

Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to obtain her pilot’s license and received commendation for her bravery and competence as an aviator. Visionary William J. Powell launched a national campaign promoting aviation to the African American community and ignited excitement for flying among young people. 
 
The exhibition is divided into key sections: early pioneers, the Golden Age of flight, military aviation during World War II and the Korean War, commercial aviation, and astronautics.

Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe and the Rahway City Council invite all members of the public with an interest in American history, aviation, innovation, and STEM education to attend the opening reception on Friday, February 7, 2025, 5:00-8:00 PM.

The exhibition is free and open to the public during the following regular gallery hours. For more information, please call 732-669-3600.

The Gallery Space
1670 Irving Street
Rahway, NJ 07065

Gallery hours:
Monday – Wednesday, by appointment
Thursday, 1:00-4:00 PM
Friday, 1:00-4:00 PM
Saturday, 1:00-4:00 PM

Closed on the following holidays: Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, and Juneteenth

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