Bessie Coleman Honored in Jacksonville Florida

VIDEO

                           

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OPIO SOKONI's SPEECH

My name is Opio Sokoni, I was born and raised here in Jacksonville, Florida.

              First, thank you to Mayor Alvin Brown who signed this resolution and to all of the members of this body. A special thank you to Councilman president Gulliford and a particular thank you to Councilman Jones. I would be remiss if I did not mention Councilman Gaffney who is my council member.

           Bessie Coleman represents an incredible time in U.S. history. Women were gaining their right to vote. World War I was over and the economy was roaring. Blues, Jazz, and swing dances like the Lindy Hop, the Black Bottom and the Charleston were shared by the entire country. The Harlem Renaissance was at full steam along with the Marcus Garvey movement. Jacksonville, Florida was the winter capital of a booming film industry during that time. Bessie Coleman’s presence here in 1926 added to the incredible excitement that was going on in this city. She was a flying sensation that was written about and adored all across the country.

            

             Her death here in Jacksonville sent ripples throughout the new aviation world and deep into the African American community.

         The impact of Bessie's death, however, caused admirers to fulfill her dreams of opening flight schools in the United States. One of those Bessie Coleman flight schools trained the World War II hero pilots called the Tuskegee Airmen. So many have forgotten about Brave Bessie. She died here. We do well in honoring her. Let’s agree to do more. The way Chicago and Texas has. The way Frankfurt Germany has in remembering Queen Bess. Something to show the beauty and bravery she exuded as an aviation pioneer. Something to show that we remember her. What a wonderful story for this city. What a wonderful story this is for Jacksonville, Florida.     

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Opio Sokoni's St. Philips Episcopal Church Speech about Aviatrix Bessie Coleman

 

SPEECH TEXT
April 28, 2013

He knows my soul so weak and blind, 
So full of fears of mortal mind,
And He will lead, and I shall find
The way to Him, I know.
He guides my steps, and He knows best,
He will not harm where He is blessed.
And so goodnight, I'll take my rest,
Where sweet wild roses grow.

Thank You:   Father Hugh Chapman, Rector
                      The St. Philips Church Family

                      And a special thanks to your administrator
                      Mrs. Barbara Lee who gave me a church
                      tour during the week.

             The words I opened with are lyrics to “I’ve Done My Work” - the favorite song of Pioneering Aviatrix Bessie Coleman who died here in Jacksonville in 1926. She had two funerals here in the city. One was at Bethel Baptist Church and the other funeral was here. That song would have been sung here that day.

A movement is now under way to properly honor her memory here in Jacksonville.

I would like to read to you the letter I read before the City Council last week at their meeting.

[Opio Sokoni’S SPEECH TO THE JACKSONVILLE, FL. CITY COUNCIL]

          I would like to personally thank St. Philips Episcopal Church for being among the first to honor Bessie Coleman. And, for still being here in the same place for so many years.

          Bessie’s story has some parallels to the disciple Philip in the Bible. I’m the grandson of two pastors and I seem to remember that Apostle Philip was with Jesus when he fed the multitudes with the five loaves of bread and fish. That feast is held around May 1. Bessie came her to headline the airshow here on the very month and day in 1926. Bessie’s funeral was held here almost to the exact day.

Bessie died doing what she loved in the field of aeronautics. Her dream was to open up a school so that Blacks did not have to go to France to learn how to fly. When she died, people were so inspired that flight schools were opened in her honor. One such school created the Tuskegee Airmen who were heroes of WWII.  I think about the Apostle Philip being hung upside down and preaching from the cross. Bartholamew was released as a result of St. Philips preaching. He, himself, refused to be taken off the cross and died for his convictions. Your church and you are special. You are here for a reason.

          I want to end by citing the words of another song that the research said was sung at her funerals. The song is entitle, “Jesus Savior Pilot Me.” The last verse of the song goes…

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

Thank you so much for having me. This is such an honor.

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This is how St. Philips Episcopal Church would
have looked during Bessie Coleman's Funeral

Order of Leadership at
St. Philips Episcopal Church
Note: Reverend Parchment is
the Rector in 1926, the year
Bessie Coleman's funeral
was held at the church.

Reverend Satterwhite
would have been at
Bessie Coleman's Funeral.
He was the Rector before and
after Reverend Parchment who
was the Rector when the funeral
was held for Bessie Coleman at
St. Philips Episcopal Church.

Current Picture of St. Philips Episcopal Church

Father Hugh Chapman is the current Rector of
St. Philips Episcopal Church

Reverend Hugh Chapman and Opio Sokoni

Opio Sokoni is an activist, researcher of
Pioneering Aviatrix Bessie Coleman
in Jacksonville, Florida

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Program - April 28, 2013

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