American DBE Magazine - 2022 Issue III

Tuskegee NEXT Launches a New Generation of Pilots

In 2015, Steve Davis saw an opportunity to remediate an industry-wide challenge in aviation while sending underresourced populations soaring — literally.

As the Chairman of the DuPage Airport (DPA) in Chicagoland, he was aware of an upcoming pilot shortage. Due to the mandatory retirement age of 65, the industry would need about 10,000 additional pilots to keep pace with demand.

Despite the obstacles and challenges, Chairman Davis was inspired to make a noteworthy impact. All the while, he sought to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen (Black military airmen) while paying tribute to his father and hero, a World War II veteran. From there, Chairman Davis founded the Tuskegee NEXT Foundation.

Tuskegee NEXT 2022 Cadets (from left) Raylen Chavers, Jairo Vargas, Kira Madere and Lauren Gordon.

About Tuskegee NEXT

Committed to empowering underrepresented and marginalized communities throughout Chicago and beyond, Tuskegee NEXT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers the services and support aspiring pilots need to break into the aviation industry. Christened by eight original Tuskegee Airmen, the foundation provides aviation education, career path assistance, and life skills training. Along the way, students learn either manned or unmanned aircraft. Upon graduation, students not only earn their Private Pilot License (PPL), but also pay it forward to future generations through a moral obligation that Chairman Davis instilled into the foundation. Although based in Chicago, Tuskegee NEXT is open to students from all areas, with some aspiring aviators coming from as far as St. Croix, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Likewise, the foundation serves all under-resourced youth regardless of their ethnic background. As stated by one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, “We’ll never do to them what they did to us.”

Where Youth Aspire Higher

To date, nearly 60 students have successfully come through Tuskegee NEXT, setting their sights on the sky in a mosaic of capacities, such as commercial, cargo, military, and medical career paths. One way or another, the program puts graduates in the cockpit. While some are aspiring trainers, others choose to return to Tuskegee NEXT in a more direct capacity through the fellowship program.

Although the foundation is centered on flight, students learn pivotal skills that positively change the trajectory of their lives both personally and professionally. According to Madison “MJ” Saunders, a 21-year-old Tuskegee NEXT graduate from the class of 2021, “I learned how to build connections and developed a lot of networking skills. I’m not the same person that I was.”

Tuskegee NEXT Founder Steve Davis

Inside the Summer Aviation Program

With seven successful summers and counting, Tuskegee NEXT’s flagship Summer Aviation Program boasts a 90% success rate for students earning their PPL, an impressive milestone considering the prohibitive costs and time demands of flight. Most alumni are in their early 20s, lending way to the potential for long and fruitful careers in aviation. Typically, students participate in the program during their freshmen, sophomore or junior years in college.

The program takes place in person with high-caliber instructors from the Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA). During the program, students eat, sleep, and breathe aviation, staying in dormitories at Judson University just 45 minutes outside of Chicago. Each day, they learn the ins and outs of flight, build their confidence, and get up into the air as much as possible. On average, earning a PPL takes six months or longer. Through Tuskegee NEXT’s Summer Aviation Program, students earn their PPL in eight to 10 weeks.

The Takeoff Checklist

Before earning their place in the Summer Aviation Program, students undergo a competitive selection process. The age requirement for applicants is 18 to 20 years old. Each year, applications open on August 1st. From there, students proceed to interviews with the selection committee in January, moving onto ground school from March to May. As a prerequisite to flight, ground school takes place both online and in person. Earning admittance into ground school, however, does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students still need to pass myriad benchmarks, including a written exam. For students who meet all of the requirements, the Summer Aviation Program starts in June. Admitted applicants are not individuals who simply view flying as a hobby; they are passionate, aspiring aviators with an intense desire to ‘take to the skies.’

Tuskegee NEXT Cadets Raylen Chavers and Lauren Gordon prepare for takeoff.

What Graduates Are Saying

With a mosaic of aspiring aviators from all backgrounds, Tuskegee NEXT is best represented by graduates, many of whom are on track to become full-fledged pilots. According to Alex Miller, a 2019 graduate, “I saw an incredible opportunity to take a large step forward toward my ultimate goal of becoming a commercial pilot.”

At the same time, others are continuing to support cadets along their aviation journey, such as James Redmond, a 2016 graduate who stated: “I experience a lot of different elements of the aviation industry. Here, I was able to network and meet successful individuals who changed my own perception.”

Supporting Tuskegee NEXT

There are three primary ways to support Tuskegee NEXT. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all funds go toward directly and indirectly supporting these future aviators. Donations can be made online at www.tuskegeenext. org/donate.

Second, Tuskegee NEXT is always in need of pilots and aircraft as they expand. Whether someone has past or present flying experience or owns their own aircraft, they can learn more and connect with Tuskegee NEXT through the group’s contact page at www.tuskegeenext.org/connect.

Last, Tuskegee NEXT is on the lookout for dedicated volunteers interested in supporting their fundraising efforts through the Red Tail Ball and Aviation Day events. For more information, volunteers can reach out at info@tuskegeenext.org. Interested attendees and sponsors can purchase tickets and learn more online.

Retired U.S. Military Tuskegee Airmen attend Tuskegee NEXT kickoff event in Chicago, Illinois.

Taking Flight

As the Summer Aviation Program and foundation as a whole expand, Tuskegee NEXT will continue to rely on its strategic partners such as the Tuskegee Airmen Chicago “DODO” Chapter, IAA, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Aviation Community Foundation, and AeroStar; building awareness and encouraging aspiring aviators to apply.

Tuskegee NEXT not only preserves the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, but also contributes directly to future generations by putting new and exciting opportunities in the aviation industry within reach.