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Volume 6; Issue 3 |
April/May 2003 |
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_____________________________________________________________________ Black History Month By Maudie Powell _____________________________________________________________________ |
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Black
History Month activities at the William J. Hughes Technical Center
culminated on February 26 with a panel discussion in the Center's
auditorium entitled, “A Community of Black Aviators.” Immediately
following was a “Soul Food Tasting” in the atrium. Both
of these events continued to support and reveal “The Souls of Black
Folk,” this year’s theme. Program
preliminaries to the panel discussion included Vanessa Lovelace, AOS-350,
in two “soulful” renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and
“I Believe I Can Fly.” Mr.
Jefferson read “High Flight” in honor of all lost aviators, including
the most recent loss of Leroy Homer Jr., co-pilot of United Flight #93 on
9/11/01, and members of the Columbia Space Shuttle Crew.
Rodger Mingo, a former member of the William J. Hughes Technical
Center Director’s Staff, presented a monolog highlighting the life of
Eugene Bullard, the first Black fighter pilot and the only to serve in
World War I. One
definition of a “community” provided in Webster’s
Dictionary, is “a body of persons of common and especially
professional interests scattered through a larger society.”
This was the concept presented by Maudie Powell, Office of
Enterprise Performance, ACF-1, who chaired the panel discussion that was
facilitated by Al Jefferson, ATB. The
panel consisted of five Black Aviators in various professions in the
aviation field. Panel members
informed the audience that one can have an aviation profession and career
without having to be a licensed pilot and that military and civilian
opportunities exist. The panelists were: Ø Brigadier General Preston Taylor
(Retired), Aircraft Maintenance Commanding Officer, U.S. Air Force Ø Second Lieutenant Desmond Powell,
KC-10 Pilot, U.S. Air Force Reserves (absent due to active duty deployment
associated with the conflict in Iraq) Ø Theos McKinney, Retired FAA
Test Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor Ø Alice Marks, Retired Flight
Attendant Ø Frannette Bourne, General
Aviation Private Pilot, FAA Division Manager, AOS-500 Ø Rodney Guishard, General Aviation
Commercial Pilot with Instrument and Multi-engine Ratings, FAA Division
Manager, ACB-700 The
panelists discussed what influenced them to enter the aviation field, some
of the personal challenges and commitments they faced to achieve their
career goals, the impact their aviation experience caused in their lives,
and words of advice and encouragement for others considering an aviation
career. Highlights of the
discussions included personal determination to overcome obstacles, either
real or unfairly placed, regarding one’s ability to perform because of
stereotypical attitudes. Although
considered “just ordinary people in the community,” the panelists are
motivators and role models who can assist others to develop the
competencies to succeed in the aviation profession. The panelists also answered questions posed by members of the
audience. After
stimulating participants’ minds, the Black History Month Committee
hosted “Soul Food Tasting,” providing an array of entrees, side
dishes, and desserts typically served in the Black community. During
the month, Technical Center employees made voluntary cash contributions
for a donation to The Leroy W. Homer, Jr. Foundation, a non-profit charity
organization that supports young people who wish to become professional
pilots and pursue aviation careers. A
$50 donation was forwarded to the Foundation to commemorate the Center’s
2003 Observance of Black History Month. The
Black History Month Committee expresses its appreciation and “thank
you” to all who planned, supported, and participated in the various
activities of the month. We take pride in the extensive heritage and were delighted to
share these events that positively revealed “The Souls of Black Folk.” The
panel discussion was the last event in a month-long celebration of
African-American history that honored the contributions of African
Americans in every field of human endeavor. The activities were well
received and well organized. A strong sentiment of congratulations goes
out to Wanda Harris, the chairperson of the African-American History Month
committee, and to all who served on the committee.
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