48 Years Strong
EST. 1976
ANNUAL REPORT
2024
Letter from our Board Chair
As we reflect on the remarkable achievements of 2024, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) looks ahead with renewed energy and anticipation for 2025—our 49th year. Thanks to the unwavering support of our members, partners, and advocates, we are poised for an even greater impact in the years to come.
This year has been a testament to the power of our mission. With a continued focus on workforce development, OBAP created invaluable opportunities for youth and professionals to grow, excel, and contribute to the aerospace industry. Our programs have reached new heights, expanding the avenues for success and providing more tools for individuals to thrive in this dynamic field.
Through increased professional development, expanded program offerings, and a strengthened annual conference, we have enhanced the quality and quantity of our services, ensuring we are better equipped to bridge the opportunity gap for the communities we serve.
As we look toward 2025, we remain deeply committed to creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable aerospace industry. Your support is instrumental in helping us achieve this vision, and we thank you for your continued dedication to empowering all individuals in aerospace.
Sincerely,
Tennnsse Garvey
Celebrating OBAP Impact >>>
For over 48 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.
2023 was a year of taking bold steps toward creating 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 aerospace professionals from every corner of our industry 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 48 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.Â
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 2024 numbers
Attendance for 2024: 183
Explore Aerospace
OBAP’s exciting new Explore Aerospace (EA) program allows students to deepen their knowledge of aviation and aerospace through a hands-on STEM-based curriculum from the comfort of home. Over 12 weeks, students learn from industry professionals, about principles of flight, aerodynamics, and aerospace careers, meet guest speakers, go on virtual tours and so much more!
In 2024, Explore Aerospace will launch a suite of asynchronous courses, providing greater access to students worldwide.
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 $5.9 million in scholarships to more than 490 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 2024 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 2024 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
DREAMS TO CAREERS PARTNERS
INNOVATION PARTNERS
Republic
UPS
JetBlue
INSPIRATION PARTNERS
Alaska Airlines
Wings Credit Union
Piedmont Airlines
PSA Airlines
Gojet Airlines
Bridge Air
Envoy Air
Endeavor Air
Wing Aviation
Boeing Employee Credit Union
Air Line Pilots Association International
Elevated Access
PPG Foundation
Jabril Cares Foundation
FRIENDS OF THE FUTURE
Sun Country Airlines
Atlas Air Worldwide
American Airlines Federal Credit Union
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Aviator Intelligence
Creative Planning
Avemco
Texas Southern University
Virginia Department of Aviation
Crossroads Christian Church
PATRONS
Commute Air
ATP Flight School
Cirrus Aircraft
CMG Financial
