Age: 18
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
School: The University of Alabama
Year: Sophomore
Career Aspirations: I aspire to become a pilot for a major airline. Eventually, I would like to open a flight school.
Hobbies & Interests: Aside from flying, I love to spend time with my friends and family, play tennis, travel, and try new things.
Organizations/Clubs: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Black Student Union
Why are you passionate about aviation?
My passion for aviation began when my dad took me on a discovery flight for my sixteenth birthday. I cannot begin to explain the overwhelming feeling of empowerment that I felt when I was able to feel the controls. I love aviation because of how flying makes me feel, but my drive to excel comes from those who came before me.
I am fortunate in that I have never had to look far for representation. My grandfather, who had no avenue of approach to aviation, worked tirelessly and defeated all odds to achieve becoming a pilot. Knowing that times were much harsher during the time makes his story even more inspiring to me. Both my father and uncle followed in his footsteps and became pilots as well. Also, because I grew up in such close proximity to Tuskegee, I learned so much about the Tuskegee Airmen and how they paved the way for black pilots through school field trips and projects. I am passionate about being successful in aviation because I want to make those who paved the way for me proud.
What is your future aspiration?
I aspire to help others who are underrepresented pursue aviation. After attending the 2020 Sisters of the Skies Scholarship Gala in San Francisco, I realized that a large majority of the black female pilots in the United States were in that one room. While I was extremely inspired by and proud of those that were there, I couldn’t help but wonder why there weren’t more of them. During the gala, I was informed that only 3% of United States pilots and flight engineers are black, and only 1% are black women. This is why my ultimate goal is to open a flight school that caters specifically to aspiring black pilots and helps provide the resources needed for them to thrive. I will be able to fuse my college education in accounting and business with my love for aviation for a more fulfilling career. I realize that I am extremely fortunate to know about programs such as Tuskegee NEXT and feel that I am responsible to pass the torch to the next generation. I understand that change takes time and happens over generations, so it would be an honor to continue the work that the Tuskegee Airmen started.
Why did you choose to apply to Tuskegee NEXT?
I chose to apply to Tuskegee NEXT because there is no better way to spend my summer than to fully immerse myself in aviation and connect with like minds. Tuskegee NEXT specifically appealed to me because of its dedication to honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and making aviation more accessible to those who are underrepresented.