Blue Skies, Black Wings

<p>Since the advent of powered flight, African Americans have been fighting for a spot in the skies. During World War I <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/eugene-j-bullard" target="_blank">Eugene Jacques Bullard</a> made a name for himself as the first African American military pilot. But Bullard flew for the French Foreign Legion – because at the time, the U.S. military refused to train Black pilots. Later, in 1939, the <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/tag/tuskegee-airmen/" target="_blank">Tuskegee Airmen</a> would go on to win honor and distinction escorting bombers and flying attack missions during WWII, proving the skill and fitness of Black pilots.</p><p>Yet, despite the advances of the twentieth century, today less than 2% of pilots are Black, with the high cost of learning to fly acting as a barrier to many. Now, as the nation faces <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/13/the-us-has-a-pilot-shortage-heres-how-airlines-are-trying-to-fix-it.html#:~:text=U.S.%20airlines%20are%20facing%20a,reach%2030%2C000%20pilots%20by%202025." target="_blank">pilot shortages</a>, the airline industry is turning to HBCUs to fill the gap. Major airlines like <a href="https://unitedaviate.com/updates/aviate-expands-partnerships-with-hbcus" target="_blank">United,</a> <a href="http://www.tsu.edu/news/2022/03/tsu,-southwest-airlines-announce-career-pathway-partnership.html#.YwPB5ezMLJ8" target="_blank">Southwest</a> and <a href="https://travelnoire.com/hampton-university-just-became-deltas-first-hbcu-partnership-to-train-next-generation-of-black-pilots" target="_blank">Delta</a> have partnered with the schools to fill their cockpits with more diverse pilots.</p><p>This week on Into America, host Trymaine Lee speaks to <a href="https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/south-florida-stem-program-introduces-kids-to-the-world-of-science/2526550/" target="_blank">Captain Barrington Irving</a> about his efforts to inspire the next generation of Black pilots and about his barrier-breaking career in the skies. Captai