The Sankofa Cinema Club Meetup With Film Screening and Discussion

In honor of Memorial Day, we will Freedom Flyers of Tuskegee: The Tuskegee Airmen. Before there was a Civil Rights Movement in the Unites States of America, there were the actions of the Tuskegee Airmen. Many African American men and women were aviators in the early 1930's, but established military policy forbade them from flying. However, as World War II loomed, there was heavy pressure from black organizations and leaders such as the NAACP, A. Phillip Randolph (head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping-Car Porter's Union), Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, and some journalists to offer U.S. Army pilot training to black United States citizens.

Over 950 African American men became fighterpilots at the Tuskegee Army Airfield during World War II. By war's end,the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals and Clusters, numerous Legions of Merit, the Red Star of Yugoslavia and a Presidential Unit Citation. This is the story of their struggle to be accepted as World War II United States Army Air Corps pilots, and their fight to defend a country that denied them some of their rights and civil liberties.

Join us at the Brooklyn Public Library - Macon Branch on May 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM (ET) for a fun meetup featuring a film screening and an engaging discussion. It’s a great chance to connect with fellow film lovers, share thoughts, and enjoy some awesome cinema together. Don’t miss out on this chill afternoon of movies and conversation!

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Host or Publisher Bridget Smith