My journey with UNKNOWN FORTY-NINE began simply, with a profound sense of shock. At the age of 41, my father shared a YouTube video that exposed the deliberate cover-up of the Tuskegee Airmen’s 1949 USAF Gunnery Competition "Top Gun" victory.
As an African American man raised in Colorado, I was hit with mixed, powerful feelings. There was immense pride in the Airmen’s undeniable skill, immediately followed by deep frustration that such a crucial piece of our American history had been suppressed.
The biggest tragedy wasn't just the injustice done to the four men who flew; it was the realization that generations of young African Americans had been robbed of this story. A powerful, tangible narrative of excellence was hidden, costing countless missed opportunities to inspire future aviators and leaders.
UNKNOWN FORTY-NINE is my commitment to reversing that loss. This is the first of many suppressed American stories I intend to reclaim and share, using our brand to honor the past while actively funding the future.