February marks 50 years since Black History Month was first celebrated. It has helped open a dialogue about the contributions of people of African descent to our communities and country. Those impacts have furthered the success of the aviation industry as well as Houston Airports.  

Houston Aviation Director Mario Diaz supports a diverse workplace, with a leadership staff that includes women and minorities. However, Houston Airports appreciates the work of all employees whether they are the Chief Financial Officer or on the front line ensuring custodial services are superior for customers. Houston Airports recently honored one such individual. Kerrick Edison has been on the frontlines at Hobby Airport for 40 years! Edison works in custodial services to ensure passengers are met with a clean environment and he does it with a smile. He always speaks to passengers because he wants to uplift their day and make their airport experience pleasant. Click here to view Edison on a day at work. 

Houston Airports, in collaboration with Emancipation Park Conservancy, is continuing to inspire others. During Black History Month, Houston Airports recognizes the contributions that African American aviators have made through the organization’s national campaign, #BlackHistoryEveryday. The campaign especially honored Azellia White, one of the first African American women to earn a pilot’s license in the United States.   

Not only does the ongoing campaign provide an opportunity to communicate, share, and recognize the significant contributions African Americans have made to help shape American history, culture, and society, it also serves to promote awareness and encourage all ethnicities to acknowledge and highlight Black excellence every day of the year. “We value our partnership with Houston Airports. We share a passion for positively impacting lives in Greater Houston and for continuing efforts to build a more inclusive global community,” states Lucy Bremond, Executive Director, Emancipation Park Conservancy. 

With continued efforts to educate future aviators, the aviation community is certain to have more successful aerospace professionals in the years to come.  Houston Aviation Director Mario Diaz founded the Houston Airports Aviation Club in partnership with Sterling Aviation High School and, he also encourages Houston Airports staff members to mentor students who wish to pursue careers in Aviation. Chief Human Capital Officer Harleen Smith and Chief Terminal Management Officer Liliana Rambo are facilitating a program with the Department of Aviation Science and Technology at Texas Southern University, TSU, that will provide a pipeline of aviation students that are able to enter the aviation workforce at a level higher than an entry-level position. Chief Community Relations and Business Affairs Officer Rhonda Arnold, is a member of the TSU Aviation Advisory Board and provides valuable assistance in administering programs for opportunities at the airports.  

Houston Airports is happy to honor and recognize the trailblazers who have set the standard, not only during Black History month, but every day.