Gigi Coleman, Beth Powell Share the Story of the First African American Female Aviator

Gigi Coleman has returned to EAA Oshkosh AirVenture with a book dedicated to upholding the legacy of her Aunt Bessie: the first African American and Native American female pilot who defied all odds to pursue her aviation dreams and inspire generations to come.

Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman holds numerous aviation ‘firsts’, including first African-American woman and first Native American to earn her pilot license, and first known Black person to hold an international pilot’s license. In spite of the obstacles of her time, she became an extraordinary aerobatic pilot and an inspiration to communities worldwide.

Knowing the weight her legacy holds, Gigi Coleman and those before her have worked to preserve Bessie’s story in any way possible. Gigi established the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars Foundation in 2013 and has since given more than 600 teens access to aviation and STEM programs.

The foundation made its Oshkosh debut last year, and now, Gigi Coleman has returned to the show with a book that tells the journey her aunt took and the challenges she overcame to earn a permanent spot in aviation history. The tribute, titled “Queen of the Skies”, was spearheaded by Airline Captain Beth Powell in collaboration with Gigi Coleman and other family members.

“More than a biography, this is a story of love, perseverance, and the shared mission of breaking barriers so others may soar,” Powell shared. “Perfect for history enthusiasts, aviation lovers, and anyone seeking inspiration, this book reminds us that, as Bessie said, ‘The sky is the only place where prejudice doesn’t exist.’”

Powell has been committed to honoring Coleman’s work for years. In August 2022, she led an all-Black female crew that flew from Dallas to Phoenix to visit with students as part of the Bessie Coleman Aviation Allstars Tour.

But Powell wasn’t stopping there. While continuing her career in the airlines, she founded Queen B Production LLC with a mission to empower underrepresented voices in aviation. Her inaugural project will continue the homage to Bessie Coleman and her fight against prejudice. Longtime EAA Spruce Creek chapter member Steve Walton is assisting the team as a screenwriter.

Powell, Coleman, and Walton are all on-site at AirVenture to promote the book’s release. It can be purchased in their Booth, located within the WomenVenture center, or online.

FMI: www.queenbproduction.com