Denver International Airport (DEN) yesterday celebrated the dedication of its Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) Hall of Equity to honor pioneering aviators Bessie Coleman and Ed Dwight. The event was graced by elected officials, community members, Ed Dwight himself, Gigi Coleman—Bessie Coleman’s great-niece—and representatives from the Fly Girls and Boys Bessie Coleman Denver Chapter of Take Flight Leadership Aviation, along with other notable attendees.
“When we expand opportunities for underrepresented communities to explore new and exciting careers like aviation, our entire city thrives – and CEEA does just that,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “I am thrilled to honor the legacies of Ed Dwight and Bessie Coleman by dedicating the CEEA Hall of Equity in their names. Their groundbreaking accomplishments will inspire all who come through CEEA to reach new heights in their own careers.”
The Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA), launched in December 2023, is a groundbreaking initiative designed to cultivate a diverse talent pool for Denver and the broader aviation sector. This innovative facility focuses on empowering underserved communities, supporting historically underutilized businesses, and providing opportunities for veterans and women in the industry.
“As we continue to make progress on our new CEEA facility, the buildout of the space will allow DEN and Denver to develop the country’s aviation workforce, provide small and underrepresented businesses with the tools to succeed and allow DEN to lead the aviation industry in research and innovation. It’s fitting then that we would dedicate the heart of CEEA’s facility to two pioneering aviators,” DEN CEO Phil Washington said. “Neither Ed Dwight nor Bessie Coleman received the recognition they deserved for their immense accomplishments during their time and careers. Today, their legacies become memorialized in what we believe will be a model for the entire aviation and transportation industry, DEN’s Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation.”
The Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) is set to span around 38,000 square feet on Level 4 of the hotel and transit center, located beneath the Westin Hotel. At its heart lies the Hall of Equity, a versatile space designed to host up to 300 individuals for engaging training sessions and educational programs. Surrounding lecture halls and training rooms will offer additional capacity for 200 to 300 participants. The facility will also include a welcoming pre-function area, a lobby, and a cozy café, ideal for networking and intimate group discussions.
“I am very honored to receive this recognition,” Ed Dwight said. “Aviation has been my lifelong passion. As a former Air Force Test Pilot and America’s first Black astronaut candidate, I can say that the Center for Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) and the capabilities it holds for Denver, Colorado and the nation shows good truly does lead the way!”
Ed Dwight, born in 1933, served as a U.S. A skilled Air Force pilot, he distinguished himself as both a combat aviator and a flight instructor during the Korean War.. In 1961, President John F. President Kennedy chose him to be the first African American candidate for NASA’s pioneering astronaut program.. Despite this groundbreaking opportunity, systemic racial barriers prevented him from advancing within the program. It would take over two decades before an African American astronaut finally journeyed to space. After leaving the military, Dwight’s career was as multifaceted as it was inspiring—he became an engineer, private pilot, developer, restaurateur, and celebrated sculptural artist. His passion for aviation endured, and at the age of 90, he made history once again by joining the crew aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space capsule, becoming the oldest person ever to travel to space.
“As Bessie Coleman’s great-niece, I am deeply honored to see her legacy celebrated in such a profound way. My great-aunt believed in breaking boundaries, embracing diversity and inspiring future generations to reach new heights,” Gigi Coleman said. “This space stands as a tribute not only to her remarkable achievements but also to the countless individuals who dream of transforming the impossible into reality. I hope every traveler passing through this Hall of Equity feels empowered to carry her spirit forward – bold, resilient and unyielding in the pursuit of their own dreams.”
Bessie Coleman, born in 1892 in Atlanta, Texas, made history as the first African American and Native American woman to earn an international pilot’s license. She also became the first Native American to fly an aircraft. Denied admission to flight schools in the United States due to racial and gender barriers, Coleman learned French and traveled to Paris, where she achieved her dream of becoming a pilot. Her ultimate vision was to establish a flight training school to inspire women and people of color to pursue their aspirations, a legacy that continues to resonate worldwide. Tragically, her pioneering career was cut short in a plane crash in 1926, but her influence remains enduring.
The Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) is set to be completed by late 2025. For the past year, its programming has included initiatives like the Business Development Training Academy, research and innovation programs, and mentorship, internship, and leadership development pathways. These efforts are dedicated to building a robust aviation talent pipeline for the Rocky Mountain region and the nation as a whole.
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