First Coast Connect: Celebrating Bessie Coleman

She saw flight as a path to empowerment and once dreamed of opening her own flight school. That dream was never realized, but the legacy of Bessie Coleman has continued to inspire generations of aviators. The first Black and Native American female pilot in history to earn an aviator’s license, Coleman was forced to learn to fly in France because no U.S. instructor would take her as a student. But she would later barnstorm the country, dazzling crowds with her aerobatic feats. She died as she lived, during an air show in Jacksonville in April 1926. On the centenary of her death, we remember her impact with two historians who’ve made her life a focus of their research and activism. Guests: Ed Booth, pilot, board-certified aviation attorney Opio Lumumba Sokoni, author, activist Breaking the silence As Florida eliminates the phrase “climate change” from state law and the Legislature bans local government “net-zero” policies, it seems increasingly difficult to have discussions about a changing climate that aren’t colored by politics. Local environmental nonprofits and faith leaders hope to remove that lens, hosting a “nothing-but-the-facts” discussion on the varied impacts many are already beginning to experience on the First Coast. The discussion features an overview of the science behind more extreme or frequent weather occurrences, and outlines ways to protect yourself, your property and your loved ones. Breaking the Silence: Talking Climate Change in Jacksonville will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville. The event is free and open to the public. Guests: Rev. Mark Anderson, St. John’s Cathedral Kathleen Biggins, president and founder, C-Change Conversations Big Sister of the Year Mentorship didn’t come to Ally Capriotti early. It started with a service learning class during her senior year at Jacksonville University. But the impactful experience quickly turned into a commitment, one she wanted to continue after graduation. Capriotti connected with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida and through it met her “little sister” Abby, who she’s now known for nine years. For her work, Capriotti was recently named 2026 Big Sister of the Year by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida. Guest: Ally Capriotti, 2026 Big Sister of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of FloridaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.