or


[01/09/12 - 08:49 AM]
Smithsonian Channel Premieres "Black Wings" on Martin Luther King Day - Monday, January 16 at 8PM ET/PT
The one-hour special "celebrates the stories of black aviation with rich detail and character, proving that the dream to fly is an aspiration that transcends all boundaries."

[via press release from Smithsonian Channel]

MEDIA ALERT

GROUNDBREAKING AFRICAN-AMERICAN AVIATORS FEATURED IN BLACK WINGS PREMIERING ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY, MONDAY, JANUARY 16 AT 8PM ET/PT ON SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

From Tuskegee Airmen to NASA Astronauts to Pioneering Female Pilots, One-Hour Special Tells Story of How African-Americans Contributed to American Aviation

New York, NY - January 9, 2012 - For early aviators, conquering the forces of gravity was a daunting challenge. But black aviators had an additional challenge - the forces of racism. Men and women of color who took to the skies and demonstrated that skin color doesn't determine skill level are the subject of the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, BLACK WINGS, premiering Monday, January 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

BLACK WINGS celebrates the stories of black aviation with rich detail and character, proving that the dream to fly is an aspiration that transcends all boundaries. Throughout the 20th century, the evolution of aviation paralleled the evolution of American race relations. In the space where these two stories intersect are rich and rarely-told stories of courage and innovation. For these adventurers, the attraction of flight was stronger than the distraction of racism, and by taking to the skies they helped America look beyond old stereotypes. From biplanes to commercial jets, from barnstormers to war fighters, pioneering black pilots opened the skies for all.

BESSIE COLEMAN was the first internationally-licensed black pilot in America... and a woman. How did she do it? Determination, personality, and the guts to learn French and move to Paris for training, as no one in the U.S. would take her. When barnstorming was the rage in the 20s, she was on the leading edge of aviation, smashing stereotypes along the way. Helping to tell her story is LA'SHANDA HOLMES, a Coast Guard helicopter pilot who overcame a troubled childhood to become an enthusiastic ambassador for flight.

WILLIAM POWELL was a pilot and social visionary. When aviation was the cutting edge technology of the day, Powell tried every means possible to get African Americans involved in flight in order to prove they could innovate alongside whites. Dubbed "a prophet of aviation", his goal was nothing less than complete equality. Framing this story is ROBIN PETGRAVE, who runs an aviation program for minority youths in Los Angeles. Powell and Petgrave are separated by 80 years, but their visions are strikingly similar.

While the exploits of Earhart and Lindberg became iconic, THE FLYING HOBOS, pioneering black aviators, showed just as much daring but were relegated to the shadows - famous only to the black community. Two pilots tried to change that by taking off for a cross country flight with $25 in their pockets - during the depths of the Great Depression -- hoping that good luck in the air and goodwill on the ground would propel them to be the first African Americans to fly coast to coast. Modern insight comes from GUS MCLEOD, an adventure pilot who was the first to fly to the North Pole in an open cockpit biplane.

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN is the most well-known of the stories recounted in BLACK WINGS, but rarely put into context. How did the black aviators of the 20s and 30s blaze the trail for these World War II fighter pilots? And after the war, how did military culture lead the rest of society into the battle over civil rights? Air Force pilot MATT QUY offers modern perspective, revealing how he fell into Tuskegee history quite literally by accident, but ended up honoring the Airmen in a very unique way.

JESSE BROWN was the first black pilot trained by the Navy. Flying combat in the Korean War, he was shot down. Fellow pilot Thomas Hudner crash-landed his own plane to try to save the badly injured Brown from encroaching North Koreans. THOMAS HUDNER himself recounts the harrowing episode, and its bittersweet ending with President Truman at a White House ceremony. This surprising story illustrates what a white man was willing to do for a black man in 1950.

CHAPPIE JAMES trained at Tuskegee, flew combat in Korea and Vietnam, and later became America's first black 4-star general. Our focus will be Vietnam, when he was vice commander of a celebrated Air Force unit led by Col. Robin Olds. Soon, they were nicknamed "Blackman and Robin" and together they helped shape a cohesive and successful flying force amid a war known more for its chaos. Framing this story is BENJAMIN ALVIN DREW, a military helicopter pilot in the 80s and 90s who became an astronaut and flew missions on the space shuttle.

While the military was hurtling towards successful racial integration at all levels, society dragged behind. At the dawn of the jet age, the new commercial airlines were routinely hiring retired military pilots - but not black pilots. MARLON GREEN changed that. His story starts with an application form that kept his race a secret, and ends with a historic Supreme Court decision that changed the airline industry. His family members offer a very personal account of this important civil rights pioneer whose story has never been told on film or television before.

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

Smithsonian Channel is owned by Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. Its programs are largely inspired by the assets of the world's largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features award-winning original documentaries, series, and groundbreaking programs highlighting America's historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Smithsonian Channel brings the American experience home in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 and is available to customers of DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T, and more. Learn more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.





  [january 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[07/07/25 - 02:01 PM]
"Alice in Borderland" Season 3 Premieres September 25
Once again directed by Shinsuke Sato, Season 3 stars Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, along with an exciting lineup of new and returning actors.

[07/07/25 - 11:15 AM]
John Slattery, Jessica Henwick, Ellen Robertson and More Join Netflix's "Vladimir"
Kayli Carter, Miriam Silverman, Mallori Johnson, Matt Walsh, Tattiawna Jones and Louise Lambert will also recur on the series.

[07/07/25 - 11:09 AM]
2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby Exclusively on ESPN Platforms July 14
Karl Ravech will return for his 9th year to call the action, alongside analysts Eduardo Pérez and Todd Frazier and reporters Buster Olney and Alden González.

[07/07/25 - 10:31 AM]
Tubi to Launch AMC Studios' Sci-Fi Comedy Series "Demascus" as a Tubi Original
The six episode half-hour comedic sci-fi series follows Demascus (Okieriete Onaodowan), a Black man who goes on a journey of self-discovery using an experimental reality-bending technology.

[07/07/25 - 10:17 AM]
"LEGO Masters Jr." with Host Kelly Osbourne to Air Over Four Weeks Beginning Monday, August 18 at 8/7c on FOX
Hosted by television personality Kelly Osbourne, the series features celebrity contestants including Ravi V. Patel, Andy Richter, Jordin Sparks, Alison Sweeney and Porsha Williams.

[07/07/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "My Life With the Walter Boys" Season 2 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Hoping for a fresh start in Silver Falls, Jackie discovers second chances aren't guaranteed when unresolved feelings and small-town tensions resurface.

[07/07/25 - 08:02 AM]
Nickelodeon Sets Launch for "Tim Rex in Space," Brand-New Animated Preschool Series, on Monday, Aug. 4
The series follows a Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) named Tim, his big brother Tommy, little sister Tia, and triceratops bestie Kai, as they tackle kid-shaped adventures with dino-sized solutions in space.

[07/07/25 - 05:01 AM]
Video: "The Sandman" Season 2 - Volume 2 Official Teaser - Netflix
When the Kindly Ones turn a sorrow-stricken mother into a vessel of vengeance, their combined power puts Lord Morpheus' realm - and life - in jeopardy.

[07/07/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "She Said Maybe" - Official Teaser - Netflix
From Hamburg to Istanbul. One journey, two worlds, and a decision that changes everything.

[07/06/25 - 10:31 PM]
Video: "Vir Das: Fool Volume" - Official Trailer - Stand-Up Comedy Special - Netflix
Vir Das is back to make you laugh, think, and feel all the feels with his brand new special.

[07/05/25 - 02:11 PM]
Yeeee-haw! "My Life with the Walter Boys" Season 2 Premieres August 28
Netflix confirmed the news on social media this afternoon.

[07/05/25 - 01:31 PM]
From Action-Packed Adventures to Chilling Supernatural Tales: Netflix Invites Viewers to Discover Their Next Favorite Anime
In addition to debuts for "BEASTARS" Final Season, "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2," "Record of Ragnarok III" and "My Melody & Kuromi," Netflix offered sneak peeks at "The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity," "The Summer Hikaru Died" and "SAKAMOTO DAYS," with new episodes launching weekly beginning July 14.

[07/05/25 - 01:01 PM]
First Look at "Reasonable Doubt" Season 3 Premiering September 18 on Hulu
Jax is coming in red hot.

[07/04/25 - 03:31 PM]
Video: Tyler Perry's "Miss Governor" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Tyler Perry's comedy series "She The People" starring Terri J. Vaughn returns with all the laughs and a new name.

[07/04/25 - 02:31 PM]
Video: Tyler Perry's "Beauty in Black" Season 2 - Official Teaser - Netflix
As she takes the reins of the Bellarie empire, Kimmie confronts a vicious family power struggle, where betrayal, greed and danger lurk at every turn.