On Tuesday, several individuals were honored during Black History Month in a special celebration recognizing pioneers and current trailblazers in aviation.
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It was a big day for Roman Carprue. Sheila Webber’s father was one of the original flyers of color. Reflecting on the progress made, Webber said, “To see what all these young men and women are doing now, it is such a tribute to them.”
Senior instructor Victor Croswell, who came up with the idea for the celebration, emphasized the importance of diversity in the field. “We’ll have plenty of students coming in from all different backgrounds: minorities, women and all that. Because as you see, this is the gem that we have right here in our backyard,” Croswell said.
Living Word Church Pastor Bill Winston, a former fighter jet pilot who flew combat missions during the Vietnam War, served as the keynote speaker and was also an award recipient at the event.
Statistics show that around 9% of aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the U.S. are African American, but even fewer are Black women. This highlights the critical need for true representation within the industry.
Since opening five years ago, AIM Chicago has provided hands-on training to hundreds of graduates with the goal of encouraging a diverse workforce in aviation.
The celebrations and acknowledgments will continue throughout the year, with hopes of honoring even more individuals in the years to come.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/aviation-institute-mechanics-honors-legacy-chicago-dodo-chapter-tuskegee-airmen-during-2026-black-history-month/18582068/
