TAI Youth Day Press Release

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, INC.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sandra J. Campbell
email: [email protected]
(816) 260-0749
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. to Host Annual “Youth Day” at 42nd national convention
St. Louis, MO – August 3, 2013
The 42nd national Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. convention will host a “Youth Day” program on
Saturday, August 3, 2013. More than 100 young people, ages 11 to 17, are expected to attend
this unique opportunity to gain exposure to aviation and aerospace careers and listen to stories
and life lessons from living legends—the men and women who participated in the Tuskegee
Airmen experience during World War II.
The day-long event will take place at the St. Louis Union Station DoubleTree Hotel, from
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It begins with a special guided tour of Boeing Aircraft Company.
Registered attendees will leave the DoubleTree Union Station by bus at 8:45 a.m.
Following the tour, participants will return to the DoubleTree Hotel for a special Youth
Luncheon, sponsored by Southwest Airlines, with featured speaker Tyrell Rhodes, 19-year old
pilot, and a panel discussion by representatives from the Aviation Career Education (ACE)
Academy, Legacy Flight Academy, and a 19-year old member of the U.S. Air Force. Afternoon
breakout sessions include exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers
related to aviation and aerospace, the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, and photo and autograph
opportunities with documented original Tuskegee Airmen at the convention.
For many, the annual Youth Day sponsored by Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. is a once-in-alifetime experience to meet and hear first-hand stories from the America’s first AfricanAmerican military aviators who served as navigators, bombardiers, aircraft mechanics, ground
crew, pilots, instructors, and other personnel who were later known as the “Tuskegee Airmen” of
World War II.
1 The program is tied to the mission and goals of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., which include
providing multiple opportunities for young people to expand their awareness of the contributions
of the men and women who were part of the so-called “Tuskegee Experience” that led to
integration of the U.S. military.
The annual “Youth Day” is part of a week-long convention that also includes
professional seminars by officials of TAI and the U.S. military, recognition of spouses, widows,
and other family members of documented original Tuskegee Airmen, and a signature gala on
Saturday night. This year’s gala entertainment is by legendary R&B singer/songwriter, Lenny
Williams, former lead singer of award-winning 1970’s group, Tower of Power.
For more information on the TAI Youth Day activities, contact: Ms. Robin Rhodes, TAI
Youth Program Coordinator, [email protected].
For more information about the convention, go to: www.taiconvention.org.
Members of the print, broadcast and electronic media should contact Ms. Sandra
Campbell, national public relations officer, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., at 816-260-0749 or email:
[email protected].
General information about Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. can be found on the website at
www.tuskegeeairmen.org.
About the Heroes:
In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a
significant role in U.S. military history over the past 300 years. Before 1940, African Americans
were barred from flying for the U.S. military and denied military leadership roles and skilled
training because many people believed these men and women of color lacked qualifications for
combat duty. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the
formation of an all African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941.
They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen, which refers to all of the men and women who
were involved in the so-called “Tuskegee Experience,” by the Army Air Corps program to train
African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. Their positions included pilots,
navigators, bombardiers, aircraft maintenance, ground crew, support staff, instructors, and all the
personnel who kept the planes in the air.
These events are open to the public.
2 TAI 42nd National Convention Sponsored By:
3