Watch the second episode in the documentary series, “Red Tail Angels – The Story & Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.” This series showcases the hardships, struggles and ultimately the successes of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black men given the opportunity to serve as military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps that became the U.S. Air Force.
The film will be hosted by Joi C. Spraggins, PhD, founder of Legacy Bridges, a NASA-Related Career and Technical STEM Education, Workplace and Workforce Development Innovation Center. Dr. Spraggins also is an AIAA Member.
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The concluding finale to the day’s tribute will be presented by Dexter Johnson, PhD – Engineer, Educator, Entrepreneur, and Minister. Dr. Johnson is the NASA Technical Fellow for Loads and Dynamics, supporting the NASA Engineering and Safety Center. Johnson also is an AIAA Associate Fellow and this year’s recipient of the AIAA Mary W. Jackson Award, recognizing his significant contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion within the aerospace and astronautics community through his AIAA collaborations with students and industry partners. He extends his expertise through his service as the NSBE Aerospace SIG Aerospace Partnership Director.
That’s not all we have for MLK Day! Please check out these additional opportunities for service and education | Learn More
Dr. King believed in the opportunity to provide service. He said, “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve.” These panelists exemplify King’s call to service. Join the conversation with three Black female panelists who will share their dreams, discuss their service, and look ahead toward their next feats. This industry panel discussion will be moderated by Enanga Daisy Fale, Executive Director of the NSBE Aerospace SIG and the newly appointed Regional Deputy Director of Membership within AIAA. Attendees will be invited to interact with the panel and submit questions.
Register for the full MLK Day: A Tribute to Service program
Click on the panelist profiles below to watch their promotional videos.
Watch the second episode in the documentary series, “Red Tail Angels – The Story & Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.” This series showcases the hardships, struggles and ultimately the successes of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black men given the opportunity to serve as military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps that became the U.S. Air Force.
The film will be hosted by Joi C. Spraggins, PhD, founder of Legacy Bridges, a NASA-Related Career and Technical STEM Education, Workplace and Workforce Development Innovation Center. Dr. Spraggins also is an AIAA Member.
Register for the full MLK Day: A Tribute to Service program
Ben’s Chili Bowl has been a mainstay of the Black community in Washington, D.C., for nearly 62 years. It stands as a historic example of how a business can serve as a driver of economic development during good times and provide hope and solidarity to a community during hard times.
Virginia Ali, cofounder of Ben’s Chili Bowl with her late husband, Ben, will share stories about sitting with Dr. King and later with the first Black President of the United States, Barack Obama, and share how her restaurant has served as a gathering place for everyone, whether you are homeless or the President of the United States.
Ben’s current staff will share a cooking demonstration of some of their specialties.
Register for the full MLK Day: A Tribute to Service program
Enjoy a review of community service opportunities to take part in
Meet DOTA George E. Hardy, Lt. Col USAF (Retired) who in September 1943 was assigned to the 320th College Training Detachment at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. His group was scheduled to take college-level courses, at Tuskegee Institute, for a period of five months. This training was cut short in the beginning of December, as his group was transferred to Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) for Aviation Cadet training, as part of Class 44-H. In September 1944, DOTA George E. Hardy graduated as a single-engine pilot and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Meet, Richard A. Baugh, the Son of DOTA Howard Lee Baugh, Lt. Col., USAF (Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Lonely Eagle). DOTA Baugh was born in Petersburg, VA on January 20, 1920. He attended public schools in Petersburg and Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Virginia State College (University) in 1941. DOTA Baugh entered the U.S. Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet in March 1942. He completed pilot training at Tuskegee Army AirField in November 1942 (Class 42-J-SE) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. DOTA Howard Baugh, Lt. Col., USAF flew P-51C Mustang Red Tale and had 134 combat missions in WWII.
Collectively, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 individual sorties in Europe and North Africa and are considered a contributing factor in the Allied Forces eventual winning of World War II. Their impressive performance earned them more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses and helped encourage the integration of the U.S. armed forces.
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Hear from two accomplished Black aerospace and defense leaders, Charles Bolden and Lester Lyles, about their challenges to rise to leadership positions and their personal inspirations. These accomplished public servants will chat with moderator Lindani Johnson, Chief Engineer for NSBE ASIG. The panelists will share their thoughts on why diversity is essential in today’s workforce, as well as their outlook on the future. Attendees will be invited to interact with these leaders and ask them questions.
Register for the full MLK Day: A Tribute to Service program
Watch the second episode in the documentary series, “Red Tail Angels – The Story & Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.” This series showcases the hardships, struggles and ultimately the successes of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black men given the opportunity to serve as military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps that became the U.S. Air Force.