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CHICAGO — A pioneering initiative aimed at supporting Black pilots is marking its 50th anniversary with a renewed commitment to increasing diversity within the aviation industry.
In collaboration with American Airlines, the program seeks to boost representation and opportunities for Black individuals pursuing careers in aviation.
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The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals was founded by 37 Black pilots at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport, driven by a shared vision to enhance diversity in the skies.
As they commemorate five decades of progress, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to expand the number of Black pilots across the United States.
“When I was 15, I found myself in a Cessna 152, taking off with my instructor,” recalled Capt. Beth Powell, a pilot with American Airlines. “Being in control was incredibly empowering.”
Powell says that was the moment she learned she could get paid to live her dream: a dream she is working to create for others like her.
“Coming to America, I didn’t see anyone that looked like me during my flight training,” Powell said.
By 21, Powell joined the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, or OBAP, a group co-founded in 1976 by David Harris: the first Black commercial airline pilot.
“As Black folks, we’ve had to break a lot of glass ceilings,” Harris said.
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His mission was to bridge the gap of accessibility for the Black community in aviation careers.
According to OBAP, less than 4 percent of commercial airline pilots are Black. And less than 1 percent are Black women.
“One of the things we would like to do is get into the schools earlier, get students into our programs earlier,” said Titus Sanders, OBAP program chair.
Sanders says their goal is to reach students before the age of 10. Their partnership with American Airlines is helping to do just that and mitigate the hefty financial cost it takes to be a pilot.
Becoming a pilot costs roughly $100,000 just for flight training.
And then even after that, they say you need 1,500 hours of flying experience to fly for a regional airline.
It’s why American Airlines is helping to fund OBAP’s Ace Academy: a one-week program exposing 1,100 teenage students to aviation careers. It’s something Powell’s own daughter has benefited from.
“She describes it best that it breaks you down and rebuild you. It’s a transformational process for better,” Powell said.
The proud mom says that’s the feeling she wants for every future pilot.
“What I want for the world is no stereotype, period. We belong. We are qualified, and we are excellent,” Powell said.
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