Age: 18
Hometown: Norcross, GA
School: Middle Tennessee State University
Year: Class of 2021
Major: Aerospace, Professional Pilot
Career Aspirations:
I aspire to become a commercial pilot and become a First Officer. My goal is to either fly corporately or work for a top commercial airline.
Hobbies & Interest:
In addition to my passion for aviation and aerospace, I love to paint and draw. I love taking any opportunity I can to be creative and create different artistic masterpieces. At home, I have a wall of my drawings and paintings that I have collected over the years.
Organizations/Clubs:
I am a member of many extra-curricular and enrichment activities including: Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), EAA (Chapter 690, Lawrenceville, GA), Women in Aviation International (WAI), WAI – Atlanta –Gone with the Wind Chapter, AOPA, Women in Aerospace, 21st Century Leaders, Gamma Gamma Sigma Gwinnett (Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta) 13 year Girl Scout member. I also volunteer periodically with a woman ran Drone Foundation called Kidz Drone Zone in Atlanta, GA.
Why are you passionate about aviation?
Aviation speaks to my soul and inner spirit. When I am in a plane and in command, there is a level of empowerment that cannot be beat! I have so much enthusiasm and excitement about aviation and aerospace and cannot wait to spend my lifetime being a continuous learner and always finding new things to learn or master.
What is your future aspiration?
Following completing the requirements to become a commercial pilot, my goal is to extend my passion for flying to other young girls and women and encourage them to take on STEM and STEAM-related careers. I completed my college orientation and I learned that I am only one of fifteen women in the incoming freshman class of 130 who plan to pursue the professional pilot program. This dismal number of women in my aerospace class continues to remind me that there is so much work to be done to expose and influence girls to take on more daring and adventurous career paths. I plan to use my summers to assist the summer aviation programs that I participated in as a young girl to recruit more girls to attend and participate and to bring in a new generation of females in Aerospace. The ultimate goal is to form my own aviation summer program where I can lend the opportunity for girls to pursue their aviation licensing and expose them the various opportunities in Aerospace and Science.
Why did you choose to apply to Tuskegee NEXT?
I was inspired to apply and become in 2017 Tuskegee NEXT after my mom sent me a feature article on Tammera Holmes and her company Aerostar Consulting Corporation. Reading her article inspired me to do some additional research to learn more. I then learned about her beginnings with the Tuskegee Airmen Chicago chapter and saw the 2016 Tuskegee NEXT cadets featured on the website. After researching and reading what past cadets had the opportunity to experience, I asked my mom if she thought I should apply. Her exact words were “You apply and I will worry about the rest. We have too many family and friends in Chicago that will support you and want to contribute to your success. Even if we have to travel every weekend that time and expense won’t be more than the value of this potential opportunity.” With her support, I contacted Mrs. Young to see if I was even eligible to apply. I then took a shot and applied. Applying to the 2017 program was the best decision I made and I am honored that I was chosen to represent the Tuskegee NEXT organization.