William J. Powell: The Pilot Who Dreamed in Black and White

William J. Powell was one of the first Black aviators on the West Coast—he was a visionary who opened the skies to a generation. Through his Bessie Coleman Aero Club and his 1934 manifesto Black Wings, Powell laid the groundwork for the Tuskegee Airmen and challenged the nation to imagine a future where Black pilots would lead. His legacy still speaks powerfully to northeast Louisiana and beyond.