Muhammad Ali Airport unveils Black aviation history exhibit in terminal for the first time
There's a new exhibit inside the Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport, and it's paying homage to Black people who've helped advance the aviation industry.
It features the field's most influential Black people like Mae Carol Jemison, the first Black female astronaut to travel in space, and Willa Brown, the first Black female to earn a pilot's license in the U.S.
"At a time when really they were told they couldn't or shouldn't," said Anthony Gilmer, the SDF marketing director. "At a time when they were told they never would, or never would be able to, they prevailed."
In Brown's case, being from Kentucky, she helped inspire generations of Black Kentuckians to join the aviation field. A field that once was not extended to those who looked like her, now people like Gilmer — a Black man — can reap the benefits of her broken barriers.
"It's just super inspirational to see these stories," said Gilmer. "To see what these folks have accomplished."
This week Gilmer and his team unveiled "Sky's the Limit" for the third year in a row. It's an exhibit showcasing 14 Black people who made the aviation industry what it is today.
Normally the exhibit is on display at Bowman Field, but this year Gilmer said they wanted it on display in the rotunda of the Muhammad Ali Airport. Throughout the month of February, they expect roughly 300,000 people to pass by it.
"I think it's important to show this off in Louisville because, as we know, diversity is a big part of the culture here," said Gilmer. "That mixed with the aviation ties here, UPS, new flight options, it's kind of a no-brainer."
This year, for the first time ever, the next generation gets to help their display.
"We are actually doing an art contest," said Gilmer. "It's a K-12 contest, and the winners will have their art displayed with the exhibit."
Gilmer said they included this contest to help make sure the exhibit is not just reached by parents and adult passengers. They wanted to make sure even the youngest Kentuckians understand because it's important that those stories live on.