A new exhibit dedicated to Black aviators opened at San Antonio International Airport for Black History Month.
On February 9, a new exhibit opened at Level 1, Terminal A in the San Antonio International Airport to honor the legacy of Texas’s Tuskegee Airmen during Black History Month. Titled, “Reach for the Stars: African American Pioneers in Aviation,” the art display is composed of Wilson Pottery Foundation pottery and historical artifacts from San Antonio’s Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. chapter.
The Wilson Pottery Foundation is dedicated to preserving the work and protecting the legacy of Wallace, James, and Hiram Wilson, formerly enslaved men who went on to establish a booming pottery business. More information about their work and accomplishments can be found here. In an Instagram post announcing the San Antonio Airport collection, the organization wrote, “This powerful exhibition honors the legacy, creativity, and contributions of African Americans in aviation—and we’re proud to be part of this celebration.”
The display is located close to the ticket counter for Southwest Airlines for travelers and any locals who would like to drop by to see it.
Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?
In addition to paying tribute to the Wilsons and their contributions to the world of pottery, “Reach for the Stars: African American Pioneers in Aviation,” tells the story of Texas’s chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black flying unit in the US military. The group was founded during World War II and gave hundreds of people the opportunity to learn aviation skills.
Each crew was composed entirely of Black airmen and pilots (the US Armed Forces were still segregated at the time), who collectively completed over 1,500 missions throughout Europe and North Africa. They earned the Congressional Gold Medal, 60 Purple Hearts, and 150 Distinguished Flying Cross awards for their service and bravery. Of the 900 men who served as Tuskegee Airmen, five called Texas home, including Robert T. McDaniel, the last surviving airman who passed away in 2019.
In honor of their memory, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of its Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home in 2025. The long-term nursing care facility was established to help provide for the state’s veterans and their families. Dawn Buckingham, the Texas Land Commissioner, said during the facility’s grand opening, “As we open the doors to our 10th Texas State Veterans Home, we celebrate the brave Tuskegee Airmen. We will never forget their accomplishments and courage during World War II, which inspired a new generation of aviators.”
