Foundation News

Visit the National Model Aviation throughout the month of February to learn more about the history of African Americans in aviation and celebrate Black History Month. The museum will host “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight”—a Smithsonian traveling exhibition—to honor the history of African Americans in flight, as well as a speaker series on February 10, 2018. The exhibition will open at the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Ind., on February 1, 2018, and will be on view through the month of February in honor of Black History Month. The Wright brothers signaled the arrival of the new air age with their historic flight in 1903, they sparked America’s new fascination with and exploration of flight. And while many African Americans were enthusiastic about flight, they still faced racial discrimination and were denied access to formal training as pilots and mechanics. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight” chronicles the powerful group of aviation proponents who challenged these obstacles and created their own legacy in the world of flight. “Black Wings” will open at the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Ind., on February 1, 2018, and will be on view through the month of February in honor of Black History Month. Developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, the exhibition was made possible by the generous support of the MetLife Foundation. On February 10, 2018, the National Model Aviation Museum will host a special speaker series featuring members of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) who will be sharing their experiences in the aviation industry. Returning panelists include Captain Albert Glenn (OBAP) and John Graham (FedEx), and joining them will be A.C. Glenn (F3A Team USA). The discussion will begin at 1 p.m. inside the gallery of the National Model Aviation Museum. Admission to the panel discussion and the museum will be free of charge for members of the community. This event is presented in partnership with the YWCA of Muncie and the Muncie Chapter of the Indiana Black Expo, Inc. This exhibition chronicles some of the most important black figures from the past and present who helped make the dream of careers in flight and space exploration possible, including Bessie Coleman, a young African American woman who desired to fly but whose race prevented her from doing so in the U.S. To combat this injustice, Coleman went to France to learn to fly. Another important figure, William J. Powell, led an ambitious program to promote aviation by establishing the Bessie Coleman Flying Club and later sponsored the first all-black air show in Los Angeles in the late 1930s. These are people who shaped the lasting legacy African Americans would forever leave on aviation. Divided into six sections, “Black Wings” chronicles the evolution of aviation through the stories of African Americans who dreamed of flight, left their mark and helped pave the way for those who would follow. Figures whose contributions are explored include the Tuskegee Airmen—the first military division of African American pilots who fought in World War II—and Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to fly in space. The exhibition is based on the book “Black Wings: Courageous Stories of African Americans in Aviation and Space History” (HarperCollins, 2008) by exhibition curator Von Hardesty of the National Air and Space Museum. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world, is a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, and memorializes the national development of aviation and space flight. Learn more online, airandspace.si.edu. SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 65 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. Exhibition descriptions and tour schedules are available at sites.si.edu. For more information please visit our Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/1939877386332461/?active_tab=about.  

Dean Palermo (Miami area, Florida) Dean Palermo is a Client Relations and Business Consultant for Palermo, Landsman, and Ross P.A. (full service account service). Palermo takes his extensive experience working with Fortune 500 companies from which he offers consulting services to our client base of entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers, and high net-worth individuals. Dean takes their passion and dreams to the next level. He organizes the firm’s involvement in numerous charities and not-for-profits for our clients and associates in the South Florida community. His involvement with the AMA and AMA foundation include: -2014 Sony open with Rich Hanson, RJ Gritter, Nick Maxwell -2015/16 NBC Today Show/Good Morning America. Matt Lauer, Kerry Saunders. Rescue assist from flood waters Live Show, life jacket to swimmer LifeGuard assist program Live Show, Drone safety in Hotel “Live” -2015/2016/2017 Facilitated several demos and training sessions for UAS for safety, inspection, etc. -2006-17 Vista View RC 501c3 nonprofit Electric only club due to city requirement (236 active members) -2015/16/17 Educational/safety events to the public “boy scout Jamboree” “multi GP Safety Grant given”, and Private Crest” both Nonprofit and for profit -2016 ESPN college Final ESPN Blimp with interactive FPV gear -2006-17 Deans RC Keeps, Wire-Keeps, Battery-Keeps Etc. original distributor for 8 years, Horizon Hobby. From Dean: “A lot of behind the scenes work goes into building a reputation and culture. I have enjoyed every moment helping others get into the hobby as hobby and others build a carrier around what they love. I have been flying Scale RC plans, Gliders, Jets, Helis, quads ect… All aspects of aircraft and truly enjoy it all and have built a club site where they all interact together sharing and enjoying that common bond of the pure enjoyment of RC flight   Francis “Rusty” Kennedy (Poquoson, VA 23662)   Rusty Kennedy is retired. He served in the United States Air Force from 1975-1997. He was the owner and operator of a retail hobby shop from 1997-2007. His involvement with the AMA and AMA foundation include: -AMA member for a few years in the 60s, 1979 - present AMA Member -AMA Leader Member 1983 - present -Life Member L716 -Life Member AMA Museum Patron -Lifetime Contributor AMA Foundation -AMA Distinguished Service Award 2015 -Associate Vice President AMA District IV   Terry Fleener   Terry Fleener is the Director of the National Rugby Foundation. His long and noteworthy involvement with the sport of rugby began in 1963 when he was a Founding Member and player for the Quad-City Rugby Football Club in Davenport, Iowa. In 1967 he served in his first of numerous administrative positions as he served on the Board of the Midwest Rugby football Union.   In 1975, Mr. Fleener was a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the Western Rugby Union. That same year, he was also elected to the first ever Board of Directors of the Western Rugby Union. He remained a USARFU Board Member until 1999 serving among other positions as Treasurer from 1983-87 and President from 1987-89. He was also the first president and a member of the Board of Directors of the Pan American Rugby Association from 1992-2001. From 1996-2001 Mr. Fleener served as USA Rugby Director of the Pacific Rim Rugby Championship and was Chairman, Board of Directors, of the Pacific Rim Rugby Championship, Inc. from 1998-2001. In 2004, Terry joined the Board of Directors of the United States Rugby Foundation, a position he continues to hold today. Terry also continues to serve as a Trustee of the Green and White Rugby Trust, the non-profit arm of the Denver Barbarians Rugby Football Club. And he’s also been to every Rugby World Cup as a spectator.   Mr. Fleener recently retired as Director of Marketing for Ball Aerospace, a company in Colorado developing products for the civilian and military Space Programs. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from the University of Iowa, and a Masters in Business Administration from Denver University. He has been married to Jane since 1969 and they have two sons, Clint and Clay, and two granddaughters. He is an AMA member and a multi-rotor pilot.   Paul Frankum (Atlanta, GA)   Paul Frankum is transitioning into a position in Atlanta at the corporate office to serve as lead for one-third of global business ($1 billion annual revenue) for Flower’s Foods. He has worked with Flowers Foods for 30 years and has served as president of operations for five locations within the company.   His involvement with the AMA and AMA foundation include: -Lifelong modeler in Georgia -Served as AVP for 6+ years -Leader members -Turbine Waiver holders -Contest Director -AMA Foundation Donor