HERE’S TUSKEGEE NEXT!
We target young people ages of 16-20 years old, showing them the value of aviation. Participants in the program are part of a summer residential program where they earn their private pilot’s license. Opportunities like these are life changing for the at-risk youth we reach. We offer this at no charge to those who are admitted to the program.
Our program
FLIGHT TRAINING
Program participants (“Tuskegee Cadets”) receive introductions to flying and the aviation industry, culminating in the Tuskegee NEXT flight training school.
Goal: Cadets complete the program, gaining their pilot’s license and an understanding of opportunities in the airline industry.
LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM
Cadets are mentored by successful professionals, exposed to career opportunities, and immersed in community service.
Goal: Cadets see hope for their futures and develop a desire to serve their neighborhoods and communities.
EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
Cadets receive the help they need to excel academically.
Goal: Cadets experience educational success and are ready to take next steps in living impactful lives and having an impact on their communities.
Sponsorship Flight Plan
What an awesome opportunity it is to support the next generation of pilots trained through Tuskegee NEXT! With your help, we can positively impact the aviation and aerospace industries and give hope to the future. One way you can make this happen is through becoming a Tuskegee NEXT sponsor. Click here to download our Sponsorship Flight Plan and mark your place in history as we change lives, transform communities, and impact the future of the airline industry - together.
Why Tuskegee NEXT?
CHALLENGES
Did you know that more than 40 million Americans are considered low-income or living in poverty? Such people are 206% more likely to be the victims of a violent crime than those with higher incomes. And what’s worse, 30% of the population – or 95 million – live close to poverty.
Since the year 2000, we have seen an
increase of 384% in the number of people living in extreme poverty in Chicago neighborhoods. Understandably, the levels of frustration and despair among disadvantaged and minority populations are tremendous.
OPPORTUNITIES
Just last month, CNBC reported that “the aviation industry now faces a global shortage of pilots.” A recent Boeing Pilot and Technical Market Outlook forecasts over 637,000 new commercial airline pilots will be needed over the next 20 years. That’s one every 15 minutes!
In that time, airlines will purchase 41,000 new planes and need 637,000 new pilots to fly them, according to a forecast from Boeing. This is a window of opportunity.
Building on the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, Tuskegee NEXT is seizing the moment to enable at-risk youth to pursue careers in the airline industry, and we do it, in part, by teaching them how to fly! We introduce participants to the airline industry through formal flight training, life skills and mentorship collaborations, and educational initiatives.
INTERVENTION
But, there is hope. The success of just one person can effect change and inspire faith in a community. When the cycle of economic hardship is broken once, the results multiply as that one “success story” gives back to his or her neighborhood, family, and friends. This results in the creation of new opportunities for others.
A recent study estimates that the addition of just 50 new jobs, held by non college educated males in one neighborhood, would reduce the crime rate by 4.4 per 1,000 people. What an opportunity to create lasting change!
What’s more, a summer youth jobs program in Chicago resulted in a decrease in violence by 43 percent over 16 months – that’s four fewer violent crimes per person.
2021 CADETS
OUR CADETS SUCCEED!
100%
SOLOED THEIR FIRST FLIGHT
GRADUATED
EARNED PRIVATE PILOT’S LICENCES
EARNED DRONE LICENSES
ATTENDED OR ARE ON TRACK TO ATTEND COLLEGE
2020 & 2021 In Review
Program
We completed our sixth year of programming and 9 candidates entered our program and 9 pilots graduated! Our cadets were able to participate in several corporate visits including American Airlines, Wintrust, NASA, and United Airlines.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Delivery
Cadets delivered 2,500 N-95 masks and 100 bottles of hand sanitizer to the Gary/Chicago International Airport. These supplies were provided to Methodist Hospital and the Gary Chapter of the NAACP to assist frontline workers and first responders in the efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
Red Tail Ball
Cirque Tuskegee was a magical evening of wonder and excitement, with live music and performers. During the sold-out event, cadets, alumni, and supporters came together for an evening of generous giving and celebration of the 2021 Tuskegee NEXT class. A special thank you to Southwest Airlines for their generous donations during the 2021 Red Tail Ball! We are grateful for the generosity of our guests, sponsors, and volunteers that made this event a success.
FROM THE CHAIRMAN and executive director
STEVE DAVIS
FOUNDER
BOARD CHAIRMAN
DOMINIQUE SCOTT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Greetings!
Six years ago, a few of us came together to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen while helping under-resourced youth prepare for aviation careers. Today, we have 55 cadets, 53 solo pilots, and 47 licensed pilots. Tuskegee NEXT would not be possible without our generous supporters.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps, a precursor to the U.S. Air Force. This was an experiment that was expected to fail. However, these distinguished aviators flew more than 15,000 individual sorties in Europe and North Africa during World War II. Their impressive performance earned them more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses. Even with these and many other achievements, they returned from the war without a hero's welcome and were unable to secure jobs in the aviation field.
Although the pandemic has presented challenges in some areas of aviation, the need for pilots still exists. Cargo, Charter, and other sectors of the aviation industry are booming. This pandemic will end and commercial travel will surge and our cadets will be prepared! With the mandatory retirement age of 65 in the airline industry, we have an opportunity to empower talented, driven students who would not otherwise have access to the resources needed to become pilots. Your investment supports young aviators like Andre Sanders, who recently joined the U.S. Air Force as a Drone Pilot, and Marcellus Freeman, who graduated in our very first class and returned this past summer as an instructor. We’re also proud of Faith Little, who graduated from Virginia State University with a degree in Computer Engineering and will begin the American Airlines Flight Program this year. Andre, Marcellus, and Faith are but three of our many cadets who are soaring thanks to your continued support.
These success stories honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen are possible because of your generous support. With your help, we look forward to celebrating and sharing many more stories.
2020 FINANCIALS
DONATIONS BY DONOR TYPE
2021 FINANCIALS
DONATIONS BY DONOR TYPE
Will You Join Us?
Support from people like you and other visionary entrepreneurs has developed Tuskegee Next from a simple concept into an engine for economic opportunity and hope. We invite you to invest in the future of the skies and the transformation of the lives of under-resourced youth.
Visit our website today to help the next class of cadets soar!
If you’d like to take a look at our previous annual reports, click on the links below.