OBAP Celebrates Historic 50th Anniversary Conference With Record-Breaking Attendance in Chicago

More Than 4,100 Aerospace Professionals Gather for Milestone Celebration as OBAP Honors Its Pioneers, Invests in the Next Generation and Looks Ahead to Las Vegas in 2027

CHICAGO — August 18, 2026 — The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) marked 50 years of breaking barriers and creating opportunity with a historic 50th Anniversary Annual Conference in Chicago, drawing a record-breaking 4,117 attendees and setting a new attendance milestone for the organization.

Held August 12–14 at McCormick Place, the landmark gathering brought OBAP back to the city where it was founded in 1976 and united professionals from across the aerospace industry, including pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians, engineers, corporate professionals, executives, students, military aviators and emerging aerospace leaders.

More than 100 industry partners exhibited during the conference, connecting attendees with career opportunities, emerging technologies, professional resources and organizations representing virtually every sector of aviation and aerospace. Among the tangible outcomes of the conference, American Airlines extended 24 conditional job offers to OBAP member pilots. At the same time, OBAP and its partners awarded $1.5M in scholarships to help develop the next generation of aerospace professionals.

The three-day conference celebrated five decades of progress while creating a platform for conversations about the future of aerospace, professional development, recruitment, mentorship, community engagement and the next generation of industry leadership.

“There could not have been a more fitting place than Chicago to celebrate 50 years of OBAP, nor a more powerful way to honor the people who built this organization than to welcome more than 4,100 people into this family,” said Titus Sanders, Chair of the OBAP Board of Directors. “This conference was a celebration of our founders and pioneers, but it was also a declaration that their legacy is alive and growing. You could see it in our young people, our new captains, our members, our partners and the thousands of aerospace professionals who came together from across the country. Fifty years of leadership and sacrifice brought us to this moment. Now, we are building what comes next.”

A Historic Gathering of the Aerospace Community

The record-setting conference welcomed professionals representing the full spectrum of aerospace careers and featured three days of programming, networking, recruiting, professional development and celebration.

Renowned author, professor and cultural commentator Dr. Michael Eric Dyson delivered a stirring and heartfelt keynote address, reflecting on history, progress, leadership and the responsibility of the next generation to continue building upon the legacy created by those who came before them.

The celebration culminated with OBAP’s Annual Awards Gala, where Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed attendees and recognized OBAP as it celebrated its historic anniversary in its hometown.

Honoring the Pioneers Who Changed Aerospace

As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, OBAP paid tribute to the trailblazers whose courage, leadership and vision helped transform aerospace while preserving their stories for the generations who will carry that legacy forward.

A centerpiece of the anniversary celebration was the world premiere of LEGACY, a feature-length documentary chronicling OBAP’s remarkable 50-year history. The film traces the organization’s journey from a small group of Black pilots who came together in 1976 to advocate for greater representation and opportunity to the national organization OBAP is today. Through the voices and stories of founders, pioneers, members and industry leaders, LEGACY captures the people, defining moments and collective determination that shaped OBAP.

The conference also saw the induction of six distinguished leaders into OBAP’s Founders & Pioneers Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals whose careers, leadership and contributions have helped transform aerospace and expand opportunities for generations to follow.

The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees were:

• General Charles Q. Brown Jr.
• Captain Randall Rochon
• Frederick W. Smith, founder of FedEx, inducted posthumously
• Captain John Bailey Jr.
• Captain Larry “Jet” Jackson
• Captain Joel Gudger

OBAP also honored Captain Ed Moon with the Captain Bill Norwood Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to aviation and his enduring impact on OBAP and the aerospace community.

The organization celebrated another powerful milestone through the Captain David Harris Captain’s Ceremony, where 31 newly promoted captains were recognized for reaching one of the most significant achievements of their aviation careers. Named in honor of aviation trailblazer Captain David Harris, the ceremony reflected both the progress made over the past five decades and the growing legacy of Black leadership on the flight deck.

Creating Pathways for Chicago Youth and Jobseekers

OBAP’s anniversary conference extended beyond its professional membership to create new opportunities for the Chicago community.

100 local middle and high school students participated in OBAP Youth Day, an immersive experience introducing young people to the breadth of careers available throughout aerospace. Students participated in hands-on activities and engaged directly with pilots, engineers, maintenance professionals, flight attendants and other industry leaders.

The conference also welcomed 100 local jobseekers for OBAP’s inaugural Community Careers Day, designed to connect Chicago-area residents with career opportunities across the aerospace industry. Participants gained access to employers, career resources, professional development, and direct exposure to pathways into aerospace careers beyond the flight deck.

Powered by Industry Partnership

OBAP’s historic 50th Anniversary Conference was made possible by industry partners who continue to invest in the organization’s mission, programs, and members.

American Airlines served as OBAP’s Diamond Title Sponsor, providing lead support for the milestone conference. United Airlines served as Platinum Sponsor, and Delta Air Lines served as Silver Sponsor.

OBAP’s Bronze Sponsors were Southwest Airlines and United Parcel Service (UPS), while Republic Airways and FedEx served as Emerald Sponsors.

Ruby Sponsors included GoJet Airlines, Bridge Air, JetBlue, Wings Credit Union, PSA Airlines and Piedmont Airlines.

Amethyst Sponsors included Envoy Air, Endeavor Air and Alaska Airlines.

Onyx Sponsors included Sun Country Airlines, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), FedEx Employee Credit Association, Creative Planning, AVEMCO, Atlas Air, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, Texas Southern University and Aviator Intelligence.

Supporting Sponsors included Cirrus Aircraft and ATP Flight School, with CommuteAir and CMG Financial supporting the conference as Friends of OBAP Sponsors.

Along with the more than 100 industry partners represented on the exhibit floor, these organizations helped make possible an experience that connected thousands of attendees with employers, resources, mentorship and career opportunities while supporting OBAP’s broader work to build pathways into aviation and aerospace.

The Legacy Lives On

Founded in Chicago in 1976, OBAP has spent five decades working to remove barriers to aerospace careers through education, mentorship, professional development, scholarships, advocacy and industry partnerships.

What began with a small group of 37 Black pilots determined to create greater access and opportunity has grown into a national organization serving aerospace professionals and aspiring professionals at every stage of their journeys.

The 50th Anniversary Conference celebrated that history while making clear that while Black professionals represent less than 5 percent of the pilot profession, OBAP’s work is far from finished.

The 51st Annual OBAP Conference will take place August 4–6, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada, bringing the aerospace community together once again to explore the ideas, technologies, careers, and leaders shaping the future of the industry.

About the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals

Founded in 1976, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) is dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of Black professionals in all aviation and aerospace careers. Through youth programs, scholarships, mentorship, professional development, career opportunities and industry partnerships, OBAP works to develop talent, remove barriers and build a more inclusive future for aerospace.

For more information about OBAP, its programs and upcoming events, visit OBAP.org.

Media Contact:
Candace Brown
press@obap.org
404.786.7723