45 Years Strong
EST. 1976
ANNUAL REPORT
2021
Letter from our Board Chair
It is with great pride and gratitude we review the progress and momentum The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) achieved in 2021. Thanks to the generosity of our members, supporters and partners, we have a lot to celebrate.
Despite the many challenges the year would bring, OBAP created opportunities and impactful experiences for thousands of youth and professionals to learn and advance in the aerospace industry.
We expanded the reach of our organization's programs and services and provided new pathways to success by strengthening virtual events and professional development opportunities, improving program quality, and reaching more youth.
These efforts reflect the commitment OBAP makes to youth, professionals, supporters, and the communities we serve to close the opportunity gap for those who need us most.
Your support is vital to making all of this happen.
Thank you, once again, for your ongoing dedication to diversity and opportunity for all in aerospace.
Sincerely,
Joel Webley
Forward into the future >>>
For over 45 years, OBAP has been a force for change in the aviation and aerospace industries. Our members and supporters are trailblazers, and their impact has created pathways to success for generations to come. Today, our mission is sure: creating opportunities through exposure, leadership and mentorship, but we can't do it without you. Join us as we move forward into a future of new horizons.
OBAP changes lives by creating pathways to success through educating youth, communities, and professionals—shaping an aerospace industry as diverse as the people we serve.
OBAP mission statement.
Founded in 1976,
the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers.
The organization quickly
became a prominent advocate and thought leader for improving conditions industry-wide. OBAP's early leadership helped to increase available pilot positions and opportunities for blacks and elevated the civil rights issue to a higher priority for government officials nationwide.
OBAP continues
to change lives by creating pathways to success through educating youth, communities, and professionals—shaping an aerospace industry as diverse as the people we serve.
Membership overview.
Members of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals are part of a network of current and aspiring aerospace professionals dedicated to continuing the organization’s 45-year legacy of influence in aerospace. OBAP stands as a leader in the aerospace community, providing programming to equip future aerospace professionals, and forging partnerships to ensure access and diversity in aerospace for decades to come.
2021 was a year of thinking differently about the future we envision. With members in mind, we continue leading the way to a more equitable, thriving industry.
As we move forward into the future, our aim remains steadfast. We will continue to serve our members by providing professional advancement and career enhancement opportunities, and serve as a voice in our industry to advocate on their behalf. We will help to enrich their experience by focusing on the value of volunteerism.
Just as our founders believed over 40 years ago, we know that an OBAP membership is the path to lifelong learning, networking and career advancement, as well as a commitment to support the next generation of aerospace professionals.
With OBAP, the sky’s the limit!
Our dreams-to-careers commitment is our driving force in developing a more diverse and inclusive aerospace industry for the future.
Project Aerospace
Founded in 1976, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers.
OBAP’s Project Aerospace offers annual opportunities to inform and prepare aspiring aerospace professionals for their future careers. This dream-to-career commitment includes initial exposure to the industry through in-school career day events, immersive summer programs, flight training academies and professional development opportunities held nationwide.
ACE 2021 numbers
GIRLS LAUNCH
GirlsLaunch 2021 numbers
Attendee demographics (by age)
Girls LAUNCH provides girls and women of all ages with interactive experiences and intimate conversations with female aerospace professionals to boost interest in the unlimited opportunities in aerospace at a young age. In its inaugural year, GIRLS LAUNCH brings a new element to OBAP's suite of programs offering content specific to exposing young women and girls to the aerospace industry by creating an intimate, fun space where they can learn from and be mentored by women in a variety of aerospace careers.
Attendance for 2021: 183
Explore Aerospace
new program for 2021
OBAP’s exciting new Explore Aerospace (EA) program gives students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of aviation and aerospace through a hands-on STEM-based curriculum from the comfort of home. Over the course of 12 weeks, students learn from industry professionals, about principles of flight, aerodynamics, aerospace careers, meet guest speakers, go on virtual tours and so much more!
Special thanks to our session speakers from:
SCHOLARSHIPS
OBAP is dedicated to supporting minority interests and placement in aerospace careers. To date, OBAP has awarded $5.8 million in scholarships to more than 470 diverse recipients nationwide. The scholarships, made available through strengthened partnerships with key carriers and aviation-related businesses, allow award recipients to advance or pursue diverse aviation-related careers.
Scholarships 2021 numbers
Dreams TAKE FLIGHT at LWFA.
Through the establishment of the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. Flight Academy, OBAP is excited to provide a facility that offers life-changing training for students from Memphis area schools and beyond who possess a desire to fly.
Lieutenant Colonel Luke Weathers Jr. was the first African American air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) based at the Memphis International Airport (MEM). On June 25, 1945 Lt. Col. Weathers also became the first African American to receive the key to the City of Memphis declaring the day "Luke Weathers, Jr. Day."
To honor his contributions to aviation & aerospace, the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. Flight Academy (LWFA) has been established at the Olive Branch Airport, just a short drive from his Memphis home. The Flight Academy offers FAR 141 and 61 Flight Training, JET Transition Training, mentoring, and more.
LWFA 2021 numbers
Flying makes me feel liberated. I feel free. Even during my first flight it felt like I was doing what I was meant to do all along.
Our Partners
CHAMPION
$50,000+
LEGACY
$25,000+
United States Air Force
SUSTAINER
$15,000+
American Airlines
JetBlue
Southwest Airlines
UPS
DEVELOPER
$7,500+
Alaska Airlines
Envoy Air
Federal Aviation Administration
JSX
Frontier
Wings Financial Credit Union
BOOSTER
$5,000+
Air Wisconsin Airlines
City of Houston Texas
Coradine Aviation Systems
Federal Aviation Administration
The Gwyn/Powell Family
Planet 9 Private Air
Ravn Alaska
Airbus
Aquiline Drones
Erickson
NetJets
Raven Career Development
Solairus Aviation
CONNECTOR
$1,500+
Cape Air
General Atomics Aviation
Netflix
Northern Lights Aero Foundation
XO Jet
English
French
Spanish