The livery jet has been designed with Alaska's Air Group Black Employees, Allies and Advocates (ABEA) group to illustrate the airline's belief in education as the great equalizer and as a critical component of creating sustainable racial equity, the aircraft features 14 profiles of the next generation of leaders: the children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska's employees. The aircraft made its inaugural flight from Seattle to Washington D.C., on Tuesday, April 27.
"As a company, we know we are not yet where we need to be when it comes to diversity, but we are inspired and guided by our value to do the right thing. With this aircraft, we are doing the right thing by amplifying the conversation around education, equity and belonging and taking it to the skies," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO. "This aircraft will continue to be an inspiration for us on the journey."
Commitment to Education
The aircraft embodies Alaska's long-term partnership with UNCF, the largest scholarship provider for students of color and an organization dedicated to enabling under-represented students to become highly-qualified college graduates. "Our Commitment" will fly throughout Alaska's network year-round spreading the word about UNCF and inspiring conversation around racial equity and the transformative impact of education in the lives of young people.
Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF said, "While small in number, our HBCUs are landmarks to our past and keys to our future. They enable us to keep a legacy—by their very existence. HBCUs are much more than schools. They are places where Black students can feel safe, welcomed, and embraced by the college community. Additionally, the nation's HBCUs make up just 3% of America's colleges and universities, yet they produce almost 20% of all African American graduates and 25% of African American graduates in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics—the critical industries of the future."
This special paint theme builds on more than 15 years of partnership, including Alaska employees and guests donating millions of miles to UNCF to fly students to college tours and campuses at numerous Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Alaska has committed to donating an additional 10 million miles over the course of the program and has also established a scholarship fund to help overcome the financial obstacles of getting a college education.
"As the only Congresswoman to graduate from Clark Atlanta University, I know firsthand how crucial a world-class education from an HBCU is to opening up pathways for success. Educational equity is the key to building a brighter, more inclusive future for all students, including those who are traditionally underserved. I was truly honored to join the inaugural flight from Seattle-Tacoma Airport to DC to celebrate this historic partnership between Alaska Airlines and UNCF to promote education, equity, and diversity," said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland.
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