The new program is set to provide flight training to 27 Memphis area youth at the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals’ year-old flight academy.

(Black PR Wire) Memphis (August 2019) – The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) has been awarded a $90,000 grant from Memphis-based FedEx Corporation to support the OBAP Luke Weathers Flight Academy (LWFA), located in Olive Branch, Miss, just minutes from Memphis.
The grant award will enable the LWFA to implement its Aviation Career Pathways program and train 24 Memphis area students through the Solo Flight Academy (SFA), a two-week program comprised of a condensed ground school and flight time. Three additional students, who have previously completed the SFA, will earn their private pilot license.
 

Celebrating its first anniversary this month, the LWFA has trained students to earn six Private Pilot Licenses, one Commercial Pilot License, three Certified Flight Instructors, two Certified Flight Instructor - Instruments, one Certified Flight Multi-Engines Instructor, three Instrument Ratings and 11 solo flight experiences. 
 

“OBAP has had the fortune of building a strong center of support in the city of Memphis through partnerships with schools and corporations, like FedEx which first aligned with our organization 27 years ago,” shared Captain Albert Glenn, academy director and recently retired FedEx pilot. “This incredible award from FedEx will enable us to amplify our investment in youth locally, providing more opportunities for underserved populations to experience aviation and jumpstart exciting careers,” Glenn added.
 

Support of programs like LWFA reinforces the FedEx Cares commitment to create opportunities and deliver solutions for people around the world. The recent award to OBAP is granted through the corporation’s Employment Pathways initiative which focuses on ensuring that underrepresented communities have the tools and resources necessary to succeed. 
 

“At FedEx, we are committed to providing pathways for young people to explore exciting educational and career opportunities,” said Shannon Brown, SVP Eastern Division U.S.
   
 
 
Operations and Chief Diversity Officer at FedEx Express. “Because aviation plays such a vital role in the FedEx global network, our OBAP investment will help ensure that students with a passion for aviation can continue to build on their dreams. I am extremely proud of this special contribution that supports the future success of aviation.”   
                                                                                          ###

About The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)

Founded in 1976, OBAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers.  The robust, and diverse, organization is on a mission to inspire excellence, Support, Transform, Educate and Mentor members and youth with opportunities in the aerospace industry including scholarships, career guidance, youth-focused programming, at flight training at the all-new Luke Weathers Flight Academy. For more information visit www.obap.org/lwfa. 

About FedEx Corporation FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX)

Provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $70 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 450,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.