On April 8th, UNCF(United Negro College Fund) partnered with Alaska Airlines to give forty chosen students the opportunity of a lifetime. These students, along with their chaperons were taken on an intimate and informative HBCU college tour across the Atlanta, Georgia area. The design came from Ade Hogue, a Chicago native artist and designer who had found inspiration in Civil Rights Movement-era imagery. As for the faces on the plane, exactly fourteen students who are connected to Alaska employees who wanted to inspire the company to follow their Black business resource group known as ABEA or Alaska Air Group Black Employees, Allies and Advocates, around last summer’s civil unrest. I know they feel honored and overjoyed to not only represent their families but young African American men and women who may not know much about the experience and/or the connected community HBCUs and UNCF can bring to the table As a past UNCF college program member, it was inspiring and honestly exciting to see something as monumental and culturally impactful. Growing up it was just exciting to see someone that looked the same as me in the media, or in television/movies. But to have an airline not only dedicate itself to honoring my people but also involve inspiring quotes from Martin Luther King Jr, South African President Nelson Mandela, and Dr. Maya Angelou, whose wisdom and leadership continue to drive the company’s commitment to these future generations, it’s tremendous.

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

“When you learn, teach, when you get, give.” – Dr. Maya Angelou

It shows how UNCF has grown to help their community of Black excellence. Students also felt the love and blessing when they saw the plane and the African American flight crew greet them. Some students, such as Nyilah Lewis, expressed that “That plane is empowering. I’m really going to take advantage of this opportunity.” Other students, such as Chukundi Salisbury Jr expressed that, “We’re here for Black excellence and so students who look like us have opportunities to see colleges in more states. I’m looking forward to networking and meeting people at these colleges.” Which is what it’s all about. The connections and networking that UNCF and Alaska Airlines have created not only for these students but for everyone else as well is incredible. As of April 27th, revenue service for the aircraft will begin with an inaugural flight from Seattle to Washington D.C. The interior will include information on the aircraft on a custom seat back card with digital resources, as well as bios of the students, information about Alaska’s DEI commitments, and also information about UNCF and how to donate your miles to support! Join today!

As UNCF’s motto, “The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste.”