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Robbins Airport, located in Robbins, Illinois, was established in 1931. It became the first airport in the United States to be owned and operated by African Americans. Its creation was primarily driven by the vision of John C. Robinson and Cornelius R. Coffey, both pioneering figures in aviation and pivotal in challenging racial barriers within the industry.
The airport served as a training ground for the first generation of African American pilots, who were otherwise excluded from larger white-operated aviation schools. Robbins Airport provided essential training and flight operations for many who would later contribute significantly to the military and civilian aviation sectors.
Among its notable pilots was Willa Brown, the first African American woman to hold both a pilot’s and commercial licenses in the United States. An aviation pioneer in her own right, Brown was instrumental in recruiting and training African American pilots who went on to serve in World War II, particularly through the esteemed Tuskegee Airmen program.
The significant contributions of Robbins Airport did not merely advance aviation but also created avenues for economic and community development within Robbins, setting a precedent for Black entrepreneurship.
In celebrating this landmark, educators, historians, and community leaders nationwide host events and discussions to highlight Robbins Airport’s enduring impact. These include exhibitions showcasing photographs, personal accounts, and artifacts from that era and lectures focusing on the broader implications of Black achievements in aviation.
Today In Black History
In 1905, Robert Sengstacke Abbot founded the African American weekly newspaper, the “Chicago Defender.”
In 1917, Eugene Bullard gained his pilot’s license from Aéro-Club de France, becoming the first African-American military pilot. He then served in the French Air Service.
In 1944, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie returned to Addis Ababa.
In 1988, Eugene Antonio Marion was installed as the first Black Archbishop in the United States.
In 1969, Moneta Sleet, Jr. won the Pulitzer Prize for photographing Mrs. Coretta Scott King with her daughter Bernice at the funeral of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 2022, Karine Jean-Pierre was appointed the first Black and LGBTQ White House Press Secretary.
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I appreciate that brief history lesson Pamela Owens. I am familiar with Robbins, IL., but there’s always something more to know. Thank you so much for everything that you do.
I appreciate this history lesson. I never knew this!
I appreciate that brief history lesson Pamela Owens. I am familiar with Robbins, IL., but there’s always something more to know. Thank you so much for everything that you do.