NSU celebrates Black History Month through art

Rachel Smith, junior environmental science major, views the Tuskeegee Airmen 100th fighter squadron display case of USAAF pilots in the Black Wings Exhibit of the Alvin Sherman Library. PHOTO BY INDAYA BYER.

By Danna Bertel •

With the start of Black history month, the Adolfo and Marisela Cotilla Gallery located on the second floor of the Alvin Sherman Library are hosting the “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight Exhibit,” commemorating African Americans and their achievements in aviation history.

The exhibit will be on display from Jan. 17 to April 17.

The art displayed will include historical photographs and narrative text describing important events in African American aviation history.
Gena Meroth, university archivist, said the exhibition will feature the story of specific African American aviators through different part of history.

“It covers legendary aviators like William Powell and Bessie Coleman,” said Meroth “It touches on World War II and the Tuskegee Airmen, all the way through the Vietnam or the Korean Wars.”

There will be several events associated with the exhibit.

Heroes of 1,000 Faces: Barrington Irving

This event will present the documentary “Heroes of 1,000 Faces” on Feb. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This will be followed by a Q&A session with the producer Michael Anderson. Captain Barrington Irving, the first African American and Jamaican to circumnavigate the globe at his age, will also be present. When Irving was 23, he held the record for the youngest person to pilot a plane around the world solo.

Double Victory Film Screening

On Feb. 16 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., this event will present the documentary “Double Victory: Tuskegee Airman at War,” which tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen experience during World War II. The event will addition-ally showcase rare archival materials and original interviews with veterans.

Nicole Yarling Quartet in Concert

South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, Nicole Yarling, will be performing live on Feb. 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Alvin Sher-man Library on the second floor in Lab A.

Hometown Heroes: Winston Scott

At this event, which takes place March 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., audiences will watch the documentary “Hometown Heroes,” which tells the life story of Miami native Captain Winston Scott, a NASA astronaut.

“Each event is important because it brings that specific history, knowledge and education on individual events throughout history. African American aviators might be relatively unknown for some people,” said Meroth. “As a library and cultural center, we’re always trying to educate people.”

The exhibit and events are free and open to the general public. To attend the events, registration through the Alvin Sherman Library website is required.