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Meet The Brothers Teaching Black Children To Fly … Literally
In an industry that is 92% Caucasian and 91% male, a Brooklyn man is hoping to expand diversity in the aviation field by offering free flying lessons to people of color. Jerome Stanislaus dreamed of being a pilot as a child, but says his skin color prevented him from initially committing to a pursuit in the industry.
“But I never believed that I would ever actually become a pilot,” he tells CNN. “I did not really believe it was possible — even though I had so much support from my family. I told myself I couldn’t do it because I had never seen a black pilot — not one time. I didn’t think that black kids actually grew up to be pilots. I thought it was just rich white kids.”
As a general aviation pilot, Stanislaus is offering children through young adults the opportunity to take to the skies. His program – we note is very on brand with TravelCoterie’s messaging – is called Fly For The Culture. One of the pilot’s students is a five-year-old girl named Amelia Cornibert, named after the legendary female pilot with
only a different last name: Earhart.
Stanislaus tells CNN that in his first year working with the organization, he’s assisted 20 to 30 young folk with taking to the skies in a Cessna 172 or similar aircraft. Each ride costs the nonprofit approximately $150 an hour, a cost associated with renting the planes.
For more information about Fly For The Culture, hit the link.
Eric has revolved in and out of passport controls for over 20 years. From his first archaeological field school in Belize to rural villages in Ethiopia and Buddhist temples in Laos, Eric has come smile to smile with all walks of life. A writer, photographer and entrepreneur, the LA native believes the power of connectivity and community is enriched through travel.
