Airman’s Inspiration 

Thomas Blackshear’s “Airman’s Inspiration” depicts a young Black man dressed in a pilot’s uniform and goggles with a small hummingbird perched on his outstretched finger. The man’s gaze is directed downward, his expression contemplative, creating a sense of quiet awe. The image highlights the beauty of nature, the possibility of flight, and the resilience of Black men in the face of adversity. Blackshear’s use of realism creates a striking visual, placing the viewer in the moment with the subject.