William j powell biography
William j powell biography wife...
William j powell biography
William J. Powell
Aviator
For other people named William Powell, see William Powell (disambiguation).
William J. Powell | |
|---|---|
Lt. William J. Powell in France, | |
| Born | ()July 27, Henderson, Kentucky, US |
| Died | July 12, () (aged&#;44) Reno, Nevada, US |
| Known&#;for | Aviator, engineer, author |
William Jenifer Powell (July 27, – July 12, ) was an American engineer, soldier, civil aviator and writer who is credited with promoting aviation among the African-American community.
Along with Bessie Coleman and James Banning, he is recognized as a pioneer aviator and a civil rights activist. Powell was optimistic about the prospects of African Americans in aviation, and believed that their involvement in the industry would help end racial prejudice at a time of widespread segregation under the Jim Crow laws.[1][2]
Early life
Powell was born in Henderson, Kentucky and moved with his family to Chicago, where he was accepted to the University of I