First Licensed African American Aviator in State
Greatness comes from some of the smallest areas in the world. Pickins Black, Jr., was a young man who had many dreams. One of those was to fly and it was one he perused with great determination.
Pickins grew up in the small community of Blackville, Arkansas, which was founded by his entrepreneur father, Pickins Black, Sr.
After graduation, Pickins, Jr., went full force into the world, attending Philander Smith College and graduating from Virginia Union University.
Pushing ahead with his love of flying, he obtained his pilots license on November 30, 1933, making him the first licensed African American aviator in the state.
Pickins went on to own two crop dusters and a private plane. He also built his own plane but at the time, the government would not allow him to fly it. Being a sharp and cunning entrepreneur, he hung the plane above his store and gas station in North Little Rock, AR. This brought more attention to his business.
Pickins raised a large family and returned to his family home in Blackville towards the end of his life, passing away there on April 17, 1980.
He was laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery in nearby Auvergne, Arkansas, beside many of his family members.
Greatness comes from some of the smallest areas in the world. Pickins Black, Jr., was a young man who had many dreams. One of those was to fly and it was one he perused with great determination.
Pickins grew up in the small community of Blackville, Arkansas, which was founded by his entrepreneur father, Pickins Black, Sr.
After graduation, Pickins, Jr., went full force into the world, attending Philander Smith College and graduating from Virginia Union University.
Pushing ahead with his love of flying, he obtained his pilots license on November 30, 1933, making him the first licensed African American aviator in the state.
Pickins went on to own two crop dusters and a private plane. He also built his own plane but at the time, the government would not allow him to fly it. Being a sharp and cunning entrepreneur, he hung the plane above his store and gas station in North Little Rock, AR. This brought more attention to his business.
Pickins raised a large family and returned to his family home in Blackville towards the end of his life, passing away there on April 17, 1980.
He was laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery in nearby Auvergne, Arkansas, beside many of his family members.
First Licensed African American Aviator in State
Greatness comes from some of the smallest areas in the world. Pickins Black, Jr., was a young man who had many dreams. One of those was to fly and it was one he perused with great determination.
Pickins grew up in the small community of Blackville, Arkansas, which was founded by his entrepreneur father, Pickins Black, Sr.
After graduation, Pickins, Jr., went full force into the world, attending Philander Smith College and graduating from Virginia Union University.
Pushing ahead with his love of flying, he obtained his pilots license on November 30, 1933, making him the first licensed African American aviator in the state.
Pickins went on to own two crop dusters and a private plane. He also built his own plane but at the time, the government would not allow him to fly it. Being a sharp and cunning entrepreneur, he hung the plane above his store and gas station in North Little Rock, AR. This brought more attention to his business.
Pickins raised a large family and returned to his family home in Blackville towards the end of his life, passing away there on April 17, 1980.
He was laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery in nearby Auvergne, Arkansas, beside many of his family members.
Greatness comes from some of the smallest areas in the world. Pickins Black, Jr., was a young man who had many dreams. One of those was to fly and it was one he perused with great determination.
Pickins grew up in the small community of Blackville, Arkansas, which was founded by his entrepreneur father, Pickins Black, Sr.
After graduation, Pickins, Jr., went full force into the world, attending Philander Smith College and graduating from Virginia Union University.
Pushing ahead with his love of flying, he obtained his pilots license on November 30, 1933, making him the first licensed African American aviator in the state.
Pickins went on to own two crop dusters and a private plane. He also built his own plane but at the time, the government would not allow him to fly it. Being a sharp and cunning entrepreneur, he hung the plane above his store and gas station in North Little Rock, AR. This brought more attention to his business.
Pickins raised a large family and returned to his family home in Blackville towards the end of his life, passing away there on April 17, 1980.
He was laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery in nearby Auvergne, Arkansas, beside many of his family members.
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