✈️ Fly for the culture

When Courtland Savage finally achieved his dream of becoming a pilot, he couldn't help but notice the lack of diversity in his industry. "I was one of the two African-Americans in the entire squadron," Courtland recalled to Good Morning America of his time as a pilot in the US Navy. 

• Courtland hoped to see other young people of color chase their dreams into the sky. Upon leaving the Navy and getting a job as a commercial pilot, he launched a Charlotte, North Carolina-based nonprofit called Fly For The Culture.
• "I wanted to just showcase other African Americans that are pilots so other young people could see someone that they look like in order to potentially be inspired to pursue a career in the aviation industry," Courtland said. 

Fly for the Culture has gone on to introduce countless young people to the aviation industry. According to its website, the organization takes students on introductory flights for free "to show them what being a pilot is really like." Upon completion, Courtland's students are given support and direction to help them take their next steps in becoming pilots or pursue other professions within the aviation field.

✈️ Bottom line: Courtland hopes his career path inspires young people like him to chase their dreams. "I'm a part of the young generation, also a person of color," he told GMA. "So sometimes I believe with young people, you gotta see it to believe it."

+Editor's note: This story was initially published in March 2024. It was so sweet we had to share it again.