"I'm Gonna Fly"

In a social climate that consistently told her “no,” she said “yes” to herself and went beyond what people thought was possible to live her dreams.

Born to a family of Texas sharecroppers in 1892, Bessie Coleman fell in love with the idea of flying at the age of 23. She worked multiple jobs, saved her money, and moved to France – the only place that would accept a Black woman to be trained as a pilot – where at the age of 29, in 1921, she became the first Black person to earn a pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, becoming the first Black aviatrix in the process.

I’m Gonna Fly tells the story of Bessie’s life, her desire, her drive and her determination to live her dream.

"The air is the only place free from prejudices. I knew we had no aviators, neither men nor women, and I knew the Race needed to be represented along this most important line, so I thought it my duty to risk my life to learn aviation..."
Bessie Coleman

See It For Yourself

To arrange a performance of “I’m Gonna Fly” please contact us.