The Southern Museum of Flight proudly presents “Ben Davis – Watch Him Fly,” a One-Man Stage Play by author, actor, and US Army veteran J. Leon Pridgen. The play tells the life story of General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the first commander of the Tuskegee Airmen. Davis spent more than 35 years in the military and helped integrate the U.S. Air Force by serving as the service’s first Black general. The play is written, produced, and masterfully performed by Pridgen and directed by acclaimed actress, writer, and director Karen Abercrombie. It is presented as part of the Museum’s annual Black History Month Celebration.
Complimentary school performances will take place February 25 –27, 2025, at 9:30 am & 1:00 pm, and will be accompanied by our Black Aviator Tour and dedicated activities. A reception and the complete stage play will also be performed on Thursday, February 27th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, and we encourage you to bring friends and family to share in this fantastic educational experience.
Mr. Pridgen currently lives outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, and has performed in over 30 film, TV, and stage productions, including The Program (1993), The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992), and Single Ladies (2011). He is also the author of Color of Justice and Hidden Secrets, Hidden Lives.
The evening program on February 27 will also feature a panel discussion about the inspirational legacy of the Tuskegee Airman and how it can be used to promote educational and career opportunities in the aviation industry among underrepresented communities. Panel participants will include administrators and educators from Tuskegee University and delegates from Tuskegee Moton Field Municipal Airport.
The Southern Museum of Flight is dedicated to investigating, preserving, and promoting the rich stories of Southern Aviation and to providing exciting interactive educational programming for people of all ages. Through collaborative partnerships with the community, the Southern Museum of Flight provides a continuum of exhibitions, displays, and educational services with sincere devotion to cultural and historical literacy. To learn more about the Southern Museum of Flight, visit www.southernuseumofflight.org.
