Frontiers of Flight New Frontiers Gala

Frontiers of Flight Museum announced a new era and launched its DESTINATION: Frontiers platform at its recent gala, “A New Frontiers,” on October 7, 2023. With a record-setting astronaut as guest speaker and community builder and leader Toni Brinker hosting the night, it was one to remember. Presenting sponsor JSX, the museum’s next-door neighbor at Love Field, hosted the VIP reception prior to the main event, then guests enjoyed gourmet cuisine from Chef Peja Krstic (Mot Hai Ba and Ichi Ni San), live music from Ricki Derek & Band and a Wings, Watches and Whiskey live auction.

Dr. Sion Proctor and Abigail Erickson-Torres
Photo Credit: Shana Anderson

During the gala, Frontiers of Flight Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate that provides aerospace STEM education through exhibits including airplanes and spacecraft, hosted space pioneer Dr. Sian Proctor as guest speaker. Proctor is a geoscientist, educator, explorer and artist – and the first black woman to pilot a spacecraft, the SpaceX Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission.

Dr. Sian Proctor, space pioneer and guest speaker

Proctor believes that we need to actively strive for a just, equitable, diverse and inclusive (J.E.D.I.) space, both on Earth and beyond. Her talk focused on equity and equality in space exploration. 

The gala also served as an introduction to Frontiers of Flight Museum’s new Chief Executive Officer Abigail Erickson-Torres, who conducted a Q&A with Proctor, as well as outlined DESTINATION: Frontiers, the museum’s plan to enter into a new era. The DESTINATION: Frontiers initiative will provide three pillars of focus that will allow the museum to sustain operations, re-ignite interest and build capacity for future generations to enjoy. The changes include bringing more diversity and inclusion to exhibits, focusing on aerospace STEM education and improving the guest experience while at the museum.

Ricki Derek and band

The Frontiers of Flight Museum has over 35 space vehicles and aircraft from a replica of the Wright Flyer to the one-of-a-kind “Flying Pancake,” the Apollo 7 spacecraft, 18 galleries, and over 35,000 historical artifacts on display.

The Museum is conveniently located just north of downtown at 6911 Lemmon Avenue at the southeast side of Dallas Love Field Airport, north of Mockingbird Lane.