Bessie Coleman: Flying the Blues - New eBook Chronicles Life & Career of
First Black Woman to Earn Pilot’s License.
Capturing the attention of the world with her
hair-raising stunt flying, parachuting and barnstorming, Bessie Coleman also
bridged a pivotal civil rights gap by becoming the first African American woman
to earn a recognized pilot’s license. Following new and diligent research by Opio Sokoni, Coleman’s life and its impact
on aviation is depicted as never seen before.
For
Immediate Release
Jacksonville, FL – As she proved throughout her sky-high career,
Bessie Coleman was unstoppable. When U.S. flying schools refused to allow her
entry, she quickly learned French and departed for France, gaining her pilot’s
license from the coveted Caudron Brother’s School of Aviation in just seven
months.
In a powerful
new book researched and compiled by Opio Sokoni, Bessie’s life and career is
brought back into the spotlight for the current generation to enjoy and
appreciate.
‘Bessie
Coleman: Flying the Blues’ proves that determination and passion is stronger
than any of society’s constraints.
Synopsis:
Flying the Blues"
takes a look at the times of the roaring twenties in the United States through
the life of pioneering aviatrix Bessie Coleman. She was admired by the women
and men of her day in aviatrix because of her death defying skills as an
airshow barnstormer. She was the first American woman to receive an
international pilot’s license and first African American to receive a pilots
license. Her influence reached beyond race and gender. She inspired Amelia
Earhart who came after Bessie.
Coleman died in 1926 in a
plane crash one day before an airshow she was to headline in Jacksonville,
Florida. Coleman's dream of opening a school inspired her followers to form the
schools that lead to the training of the famed World War II black pilots called
the Tuskegee Airmen. This book is the most thorough research done into the life
and circumstances of this American female pioneer in the field of aeronautics.
Finally, this ebook
captures race and Bessie's connection to the hugely popular Blues and Jazz
music genres.
As
the author explains, Coleman remains a celebrated figure during the annual
Black History Month.
“Bessie
Coleman’s remarkable story of courage and achievement is still celebrated every
February. She is hugely popular among aeronautics enthusiasts and is cherished
by those who fought hard during the Women’s and Civil Rights Movements,” says
Sokoni.
Continuing,
“She was one of the first pioneers to break down social barriers and confront
an issue that many at the time kept quiet. Not only was it rare for a woman to
become a pilot, but the fact she was an African American woman made her
achievements all the more important.”
As
a renowned political commentator, Sokoni had good reason to teach the world
about Bessie Coleman.
“Bessie
died in my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida and there has been nothing named
in her honor. Amelia Earhart and the Wright brothers have streets in this city
named after them, but not Bessie, who has a closer tie to Jacksonville than
either of them,” he adds.
The
book has also inspired an entertaining and informative documentary surrounding
Coleman’s life. Proving popular with internet audiences, the film can be
accessed here: http://bit.ly/WX9Kwt
About the author:
Opio is a political
commentator and founder of Poli-Tainment, Inc., a non-profit organization which
uses various forms of entertainment to educate the public about important
issues. He is also a documentary filmmaker whose subjects are media images, Hip
Hop and meth addiction. Mr. Sokoni’s writings include books about the Seminole
Wars, the plight of black police officers and a history about black music
genres created in the United States. Opio has a BA in political science from
Norfolk State University, a masters in criminal justice from the University of
North Florida and a law degree from Howard University. He resides in
Jacksonville, Florida.
Contact: Opio Sokoni /
904-422-6078 / politainment1@gmail.com
