Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Honoring Black Aviators
In 1964, Capt. Dave Harris joined American, becoming the first Black pilot for a major passenger airline.
To commemorate, American hosted its inaugural Legacy of Firsts event dedicated to honoring Black aviators and the founding fathers of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.
We had the opportunity to capture this special evening on film so that all could share in the celebration.
Project Title: Honoring Black Aviators: Celebrating a Legacy of Firsts
Objective: To commemorate the achievements of Capt. Dave Harris, the first Black pilot for a major passenger airline, and honor the legacy of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. The project aimed to amplify the voices of Black aviators, showcase American Airlines’ commitment to diversity, and foster pride and inspiration among employees.
My Role:
Creative Direction and Oversight: Collaborated with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and an external agency to ensure the storytelling authentically reflected the spirit of the event.
Content Strategy: Designed multi-channel content tailored to internal and external audiences, ensuring the message resonated across all platforms.
Agency Collaboration: Partnered with the agency to guide the post-event narrative, curating impactful video edits that conveyed the event’s significance.
Team Management: Directed the internal Creative Services team to finalize and deliver the content, maintaining brand consistency and quality.
Feedback Integration: Ensured all edits incorporated stakeholder input, reflecting the vision of American Airlines and its DEI initiatives.
Challenges:
Post-Event Narrative Development: Most storytelling had to be developed after the event, requiring adaptability and creativity to weave a cohesive and compelling narrative from available footage.
Multi-Platform Optimization: Tailored content to suit various formats and audiences while preserving the core message.
Outcome:
The video and accompanying content received widespread acclaim.
Media Success: Captured significant attention and praise from external media outlets for highlighting American Airlines’ commitment to diversity.
Internal Impact: Fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity among employees, strengthening morale and pride.
Legacy Building: Positioned American Airlines as a leader in celebrating and advancing diversity in the aviation industry.