27 August 2022

"They look like superheroes!" I squealed in my giddy, 7-year-old voice. That was my first reaction to the American Airlines cover photo and headline about the all-Black female crew that flew from Dallas, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona. (photo credit: American Airlines)

The historic event was made extra special by honoring the late, great Ms. Bessie Coleman, the first Black lady licensed to fly an airplane anywhere in the world. Back in 1921, a time when racists denied her entry to flight school, Ms. Coleman took matters into her own hands to become a pilot.

In 1921, a time of both gender and racial discrimination, Coleman broke barriers and became the world's first Black woman to earn a pilot's license. Because flying schools in the United States denied her entry, she took it upon herself to learn French and move to France to achieve her goal. After only seven months, Coleman earned her license from France's well known Caudron Brother's School of Aviation. Biography.com

(Photo credit Michael Ochs, Getty Images)

I try not to imagine the number of Black female and male pilots that never went to flight school or earned their licenses because of racist beliefs. Not just the beliefs that Black people were not intelligent enough to learn to fly--a major part of the denial-- but also that Black people were not deserving, or worthy of the economic benefits and societal status of aviators. Holding others back and refusing entry to spaces and opportunities are methods of preempting envy but the inherent talent and capability are not erased.

Today, the statistics show that although 14% of Americans are Black, there are much lower percentages of Black pilots. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), only 3.9% of pilots are Black (2021 data). The statistics are worse in the military. In the Air Force, of 14,000 pilots, only 2% of pilots are Black.

The awareness of disparity is followed by change. In addition to the American Airlines all-black crew, other Americans are making a difference and leading the charge in the air and on the ground:

1. Bessie Coleman Aviation All Stars led by great-niece of Bessie Coleman, Gigi Coleman
2. DC Teen becomes one of the youngest Black pilots
3. Alaska Airlines flight Black female Captain and First Officer
4. Black pilots bring diversity
5. Fly for the Culture
6. Air Traffic Controllers

There is also a dearth of air traffic controllers, an important role in commercial, military and private aviation but BLS does not appear to have demographic data. The key is having mentors to invest time, energy and resources for programs that generate interest and provide training.

I am always in awe of people who face challenges and do great things, but especially those who face exclusion in the forms of racism, nationalism, and sexism. Like many Black women I understand that there is nothing quite like being viewed as an outsider, as someone who does not belong. Ms. Coleman and the ladies of the flight crew have demonstrated that Black ladies do belong in every space where we enter and failure is not an option.