One of the first African American combat pilots to fly during World War I, Eugene Jacques Bullard flew for France, not the United States. During that time, African Americans were denied entry into U.S. aviation units.
Born in Columbus, Georgia, Bullard sought to escape the racism of the Jim Crow South at an early age. By the age of 12, he left home eventually stowing away on a German freighter bound for Hamburg. After a stint in Aberdeen, Scotland, he made his way to London, where he worked as a boxer and performer in an African American entertainment troupe. In 1913, Bullard went to France for a boxing match and settled in Paris.
Foreign volunteers were allowed only to serve in the Foreign Legion. By 1915, Bullard was a machine gunner and wounded in combat. While recuperating, he bet a friend $2,000 that despite his skin color he could enlist in the French Flying Service. He won the bet, entering flight training in the Aéronautique Militaire. Earning his wings in May 1917, he took part in over twenty combat missions and is sometimes credited with shooting down one or two German aircraft.
After the war, Bullard opened a nightclub and because he was fluent in German, agreed to spy on the German citizens who frequented his nightclub for the French government. Fearing capture by the Nazis, he fled the country - making his way to Spain, Portugal, and eventually Harlem, New York.
Bullard became an advocate for civil rights. Beaten by the police, he headed back to France. During his lifetime, the French showered Bullard with honors, and in 1954, he was one of three men chosen to relight the everlasting flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. In October 1959 he was made a knight of the Legion of Honor, the highest ranking order and decoration.
He attempted to regain his nightclub in Paris, but it had been destroyed during the war. A financial settlement from the French government, provided the funds for his home in Harlem. On December 22, 1959, he was interviewed on NBC's Today Show and received hundreds of letters from viewers. He died of stomach cancer on October 12, 1961, at the age of 66 and is buried with military honors in the French War Veterans' section of Flushing Cemetery in NYC.
Sources: Airandspace.si.edu; PBS.org; Wikipedia.org
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CAAA Public Meeting - Friday, November 17th in Tacoma!
Join us in Tacoma for our public meeting! Meeting is open to the public. Agenda
Location: Tacoma Municipal Building Council Chambers - 747 Market Street, 1st floor, Tacoma, WA 98402. Time: 1 to 4pm
 What is a Legislative Page? A page is a student, between 14-16 years old who helps deliver documents and provide assistance during floor sessions, all while attending the Legislative Page School. Paging presents students with a unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative process.
The Washington State Legislature is proud to offer one of the finest page programs in the nation. Since prior to our statehood in 1889, students from across Washington have come to Olympia to serve as pages for the Washington State Legislature during the legislative session. Pages serve a one-week term and earn $65.00 per day for their service.
Openings are limited and slots fill quickly. Applicants must:
- Have parent or guardian permission
- Receive a recommendation from a teacher and your principal
- Be at least 14 years of age and have not reached your 17th birthday
- Provide a Social Security card in order to receive the page stipend of $65 per day. If you do not have a Social Security card, you are still able to participate without receiving the daily stipend. *
To learn more about the role of a page, view the Day in the Life of a Page video! For questions, contact Myra Hernandez, Civic Education Director
Myra.Hernandez@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7498
The City of Seattle asks local minority owned business owners for feedback about barriers encountered when doing business with the city.
By hearing from you, the city aims to improve the contracting process for small businesses. Complete this survey before November 14th by following the link, clicking the poster or scan the QR code.
The City of Tacoma seeks members of the Tacoma community willing to volunteer as a Community Representative for the Deadly Force Review Board. Community members already a part of the Citizens' Academy (current and former) are strongly encouraged to apply.
The primary purpose of the Board shall be to review the investigation and determine if the application of deadly force was within Department policy. Complete announcement and application can be found here. Apply before November 30, 2023.
Know of an upcoming community event? Let us know about it! Forward details to ckerney@caaa.wa.gov
 The hope for this space is to bring together all Black communities, Black leaders, Black Educators, Black Health workers, and all Black experiences in Spokane. The goal is to address the many needs of the Black communities in this region and to be a source of inspiration, connection and healing. Reserve your spot. Presented by Healing Spaces Spokane.
Date & Time: Friday, November 17 · 5:30 - 7:30pm PST
 iUrban Teen presents an eye-opening journey about the weather! The science behind our behind Urban Water Systems will be revealed. How does Georgetown's Wet Weather Operation manage Seattle's Storms? Those attending will learn about stormwater pollution, waste-water and stormwater engineering. These are the jobs that no one talks about!
Use this opportunity for your science projects or as a potential career path. Apart of the new "Green Economy", these jobs pay well and will be needed in the future! Get in on the ground floor!
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