American Wings

Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky

De: Sherri L. Smith, Elizabeth Wein

Narrado por: Karen Murray

From the acclaimed author of Flygirl and the bestselling author of Code Name Verity comes the thrilling and inspiring true story of the desegregation of the skies.

In the years between World War I and World War II, aviation fever was everywhere, including among Black Americans. But what hope did a Black person have of learning to fly in a country constricted by prejudice and Jim Crow laws, where some previous Black aviators like Bessie Coleman had to move to France to earn their wings?

American Wings follows a group of determined Black Americans: Cornelius Coffey and Johnny Robinson, skilled auto mechanics; Janet Harmon Bragg, a nurse; and Willa Brown, a teacher and social worker. Together, they created a flying club and built their own airfield on Chicago’s South Side. As the U.S. hurtled toward World War II, they established a school to train new pilots, teaching both Black and white students together and proving, in a time when the U.S. military was still segregated, that successful integration was possible.

American Wings brings to light a hidden history of pioneering Black men and women who, with grit and resilience, battled powerful odds for an equal share of the sky.

Cover photo © Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

©2024 Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein (P)2024 Listening Library

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Accessible and buoyant . . . A fascinating, well-told American story full of compelling innovation.” —Kirkus Reviews

“An enlightening account of notable Black American aviators and the issues that they confronted during their careers.” —Booklist

“This beautiful and brilliant history of not only what it means to be Black and dream of flying but to, against every odd, do so, completely blew me away. Kudos to Smith and Wein for believing in the importance of history and passing it on.” —Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Winner for Brown Girl Dreaming

Amazing research! Historical accuracy

Anything by Elizabeth & now Sherri is worth every moment of your time. So many events I was unaware of. I wish I could have known Coffee, Bragg, & Brown such historical heroes.