Monday Night Movie and Discussion: "The Tuskegee Airmen"

In anticipation of Black History Month, join TOUR of St Luke’s Parish for a special screening of "The Tuskegee Airmen." Join us after the screening for a special guest speaker, Gordon Smith.

Gordon has earned national acclaim as an expert speaker about the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, the distinguished and highly decorated group of African American military aviators of World War II.  Gordon’s father, Captain Luther Smith, was one of the original Tuskegee fighter pilots, flying an extraordinary 133 missions, before his capture following his escape from his burning P-51 Mustang. The U.S. Post Office in Cheyney, Pennsylvania is named in Captain Smith’s honor.

About the Film

“The ‘fighting 99th’ was the first squadron of African-American U.S. Army Air Corps combat fighter pilots in WWII. When they began training, few, if any, in the Army wanted them there. They had to prove that they were stronger, tougher, smarter, and better fliers than most white pilots…and they did! Laurence Fishburne stars in this high-flying drama as a Chicago law-school graduate whose determination to serve his country led him to intense training in Tuskegee, Alabama…and into action in the dangerous skies over North Africa and Europe.” – Apple TV 

Director: Robert Markowitz

Year: 1995

Starring: Laurence Fishburne as Captain Hannibal "Iowa" Lee Jr., Allen Payne as Cadet Walter Peoples, Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Lieutenant Leroy Cappy, Courtney B. Vance as Second Lieutenant Glenn, Andre Braugher         as Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Christopher McDonald       as Major Sherman Joy, Daniel Hugh Kelly as Colonel Rogers, John Lithgow as Senator Conyers, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Lieutenant Billy "A-Train" Roberts, Mekhi Phifer as Cadet Lewis Johns, and Rosemary Murphy as Eleanor Roosevelt. 

This movie is 1 hour and 46 minutes and is rated PG-13 (for thematic elements and brief strong war violence).

Watch the official trailer.

About Gordon Smith

Gordon Smith is an Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase (“JPMC”) in Manhattan, New York.  As a Senior Banker in JPMC’s Commercial Bank, Gordon manages a portfolio of professional services firms including many of the largest law firms in the United States.  

Gordon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from Princeton University and is an actively engaged alumnus.  Gordon currently resides in Manhattan with his wife, Nancy Gilroy-Smith. 

Gordon leads JPMC’s charitable efforts in support of the Eagle Academy, which provides financial mentorship to students in underserved communities. Outside of work, Gordon serves in various community related roles as part of St. James’ Church in New York, is a member of the Board of Governors of Episcopal Charities, and is an avid golfer.