In 1976, a young Black airline pilot named Ben Thomas saw a representation gap in the aviation industry and decided to get a group of people together to close it. He hosted a meeting where 37 Black airline pilots, nearly half of those in the entire industry at the time, joined him in Chicago, Illinois to discuss the discrimination faced by Black aviators and how they can work together to make a change.
Fast-forward to 2026, the group they formed 50 years ago, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), reconvened in Chicago to celebrate the milestones and achievements that Black aviators have reached across the decades, only this time with thousands of people from across the world in attendance.
“We have Black History in this building today,” said OBAP Board Chair Titus Sanders at the opening ceremony of the conference. “Legacy isn’t something we inherit, it’s something we create. So over the next three days at this conference, be fully present and fully engaged. There are no strangers here, just family you haven’t been introduced to yet.”
The OBAP Family
As the largest regional carrier for American Airlines, Envoy was proud to stand alongside American for another successful year of sponsoring OBAP.
“At the Envoy booth we’ve been talking to many people, from aspiring pilots to those already currently flying,” said Envoy First Officer Ronald Taylor. “For the most part, this expo is an opportunity to network, make connections and give guidance and advice to people who ask for it to lead them the right way to reach their goals.”
From the exhibit hall floor to the career fair, to evening social events and much more, a strong sense of community and steadfast support was felt in every conversation had across the three-day event.
“My favorite part of attending this conference is getting a chance to reconnect with everyone,” said Envoy First Officer Bradford Jackson. “We’re all usually out flying so we don’t get to see each other often, besides just in passing at the airport or in the crew room. Having everyone in this one space and then also seeing new faces and talking to new people who are trying to join the aviation community is really important.”
Recruiting the Best of the Best
Envoy’s team of recruiters were available every day of the conference to support the overall mission of OBAP by meeting with potential candidates, reviewing resumes and showing up and out for all the themed networking events.
“OBAP is always such an incredible opportunity for us to get quality facetime with aviators at all stages of their career. From those interested in our Cadet Program to those asking about becoming a Direct Entry Captain, to aircraft mechanics and other aviation professionals we talked with hundreds of candidates at our booth over three days,” said Envoy Air Operations Recruiter Alystia Tobie. “This conference gets bigger and better every year, and we’re proud to represent Envoy and show candidates why we’re the best of the best.”
Lifting the Next Generation
OBAP is more than an expo for those who currently have careers in aviation – there is also a chance for local community members of all ages who want to learn more about aviation to attend the conference.
During OBAP Youth Day, middle and high school students from the Chicagoland area spent an entire day at the conference getting one-on-one advice from pilots, mechanics, scientists and many other aerospace professionals. They also got the chance to do hands-on activities and explore the expo floor during a special time blocked just for students.
After Youth Day, OBAP hosted their first ever Cleared for Takeoff: Aviation Community Career Day event, sponsored by Envoy. This session welcomed jobseekers from across the ORD-area to meet with employers in the aviation field. During the event, candidates reviewed their resumes, brushed up on their interview skills and heard from a panel of speakers, including Ricky Deane, Vice President of Envoy ORD Hub Operations.
“You have to apply yourself and seek opportunities. You can’t just sit down and think that doors are going to open for you. You have to make yourself uncomfortable,” advised Ricky during the panel discussion. “Go into aviation with an open mind, because there are so many opportunities in this industry that you may fall in love with something you never even dreamed of doing when you first got started.”
Here’s to 50 More Years
The annual conference closed out the way it always does – with a black-tie awards gala honoring the historic contributions of the individuals and organizations who have elevated OBAP to the place it is now over the past 50 years.
From 38 Black pilots gathering at an airport hotel meeting room near ORD in 1976, to over 4,000 attendees coming together in the same city in 2026 to celebrate each other and lift up the next generation, OBAP 2026 was certainly a year for the record books.
50 years is an incredible milestone, but we have all the faith that year 51 will be even bigger and better – see you at OBAP 2027!