THOUSANDS OF BLACK AVIATION PROFESSIONALS CAME TO CHICAGO TALKING ABOUT CAREERS, OPPORTUNITY AND GETTING MORE OF US IN THE SKY.

📍Chicago, Ill. Now this is the kind of story I like.

While everybody on the internet is arguing about who fought who, who dating who and who unfollowed who...

THOUSANDS OF AVIATION PROFESSIONALS CAME TO CHICAGO TALKING ABOUT CAREERS, OPPORTUNITY AND GETTING MORE OF US IN THE SKY. ✈️👏🏾

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, better known as OBAP, brought its 50th Annual Conference to Chicago August 12 through August 14.

And when I first heard about this, I heard:

“1,000 Black pilots are in Chicago.”

I said...

WAIT. WHAT?! WHERE Y’ALL BEEN HIDING?! 😂✈️

But let me clean that up before somebody from the FAA calls the station.

It wasn't literally 1,000 Black pilots.

OBAP expected more than 3,000 attendees, including pilots, aerospace professionals, students, engineers, educators, recruiters and people hoping to break into the aviation industry.

And THAT might be even better.

Because this wasn't simply a room full of people who already made it.

IT WAS ALSO ABOUT WHO'S COMING NEXT.

✈️ 50 YEARS OF OPENING COCKPIT DOORS

This year's conference was especially important because OBAP is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The organization's roots stretch back to Black pilots who wanted to increase opportunities for Black people and other underrepresented groups throughout aviation and aerospace.

And here's some Black history you might not know.

Captain David E. Harris became the first Black pilot hired by a major U.S. commercial airline when American Airlines hired him in 1964. He later became one of the pioneers behind the organization that eventually became OBAP.

Think about that.

There was a time when a Black person sitting in the cockpit of a major airline was considered groundbreaking.

Now, decades later, thousands of aviation professionals and future aviation professionals are gathering in Chicago talking about where the industry goes NEXT.

THAT'S WHAT PROGRESS LOOKS LIKE.

And no, everybody doesn't have to become a pilot.

That's the other part I want young people to hear.

Aviation needs aircraft mechanics, engineers, dispatchers, technicians, airport operations professionals, flight attendants, corporate employees, cybersecurity workers and plenty of other careers besides sitting behind the controls of an airplane.

So when somebody tells a kid:

“YOU CAN BE ANYTHING.”

Don't just give them the motivational poster.

SHOW THEM THE JOB APPLICATION.

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Because representation is wonderful.

Representation with a PAYCHECK is even better.

😂💰✈️

And congratulations to OBAP on 50 years of helping create opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

From the first Black pilots breaking barriers...

To thousands gathering right here in Chicago...

Baby, we didn't just get on the plane.

WE LEARNED HOW TO FLY THE DAMN THING. ✈️😂👏🏾

And THAT deserves some BOOM.

730 BOOM RADIO

Chicago Is Home. The World Is Welcome.

IT HITS DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME. BOOM! 💥