Houston Airports joins the nation in celebrating Black History Month in February, a time to recognize the historic and monumental achievements of African Americans throughout our country’s history, including those in aviation.
Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated February as Black History Month. Other countries and sovereign states around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
The Houston Airports website, fly2houston.com has previously featured great achievers such as Bessie Coleman, the first African American female aviator to earn a U.S. pilot’s license in 1921, and Guion Bluford, who became the first black astronaut to fly into space in 1983.
The major accomplishments of African Americans in the field of aviation began only a short time after the Wright Brothers first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Emory C. Malick became the first black aviator to earn a U.S. pilot’s license in 1912. Ms. Coleman followed suit nine years later but it is worth noting that she had to go to France in order to receive flight training.
Spotlight on Houston Airports Staff
Additionally, the Houston Airports Communications team published a weekly series throughout February that profiled the stories of African American management and team members within the airport system. The four-week series highlighted J’Maine Chubb, Chief Financial Officer; Isaac Chatman, Landside Operations at Hobby Airport; Melanie Brown, Division Manager, Customer Service at Terminal A at Bush Airport; and Ray Harper, Airport Operations at Ellington Airport and Houston Spaceport.
Concessions, Art, and Music
Houston Airports is proud to partner with black-owned businesses and concessionaires that operate at the airports and reflect the incredible diversity of Houston. One popular establishment among them is The Breakfast Klub inside Terminal A at Bush Airport which offers soul food delights.
The Public Art Collection at Houston Airports includes a number of works by prominent African American artists, including legendary Houston artists Bert Long, Jr., Jesse Lott, George Smith, and Leman Green as well as upcoming artists like Jamal Cyrus, Mich Stevenson and Kaneem Smith. And of course there is the Mickey Leland International Terminal namesake statue of Congressman Mickey Leland by noted African American sculptor Ed Dwight.
Houston Airports’ Harmony in the Air program features several outstanding African American performers including, among others, Tony Henry (R&B, Pop, Singer, Solo Guitarist), the Jeremy Joseph Trio (R&B and Pop) and Divisi Strings (a classical string quartet with several African American musicians).
Out in the Community
Houston Airports was also out in the community during the month of February, including one signature event, a Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC)/Energy Corridor Chapter Celebration of Black History.
On Feb. 9, 2022, Rhonda Arnold, Chief Community Relations Officer and a GHWCC Advisory Board Member, moderated the event and said, “This was a very enlightening and dynamic panel who presented their experiences as black women in corporate America and in academia.” Arnold moderated the in-depth discussion with these black female executives who shared their unique experiences.
As part of its continued effort to serve the needs of women and business owners during Black History Month and throughout the year, the GHWCC offers webinars and educational programs focused on helping small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those that were hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The GHWCC Small Business Administration Women’s Business Center also serves as a catalyst to enable women entrepreneurs and their leadership teams to start or take their business to the next level through organization, innovation, and engagement. The Center empowers women-led organizations by introducing resources that provide tools, access to capital, and valuable business relationships. The GHWCC mission is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women through avenues of leadership, education, advocacy, and mentoring.
Everyone is encouraged to pause and recognize the enormous contributions and accomplishments of African Americans to the rich history of the United States of America.