Kimberly Anyadike, 15, left, and sister Kelly, 17, right, answer questions from the audience with the help of Burbank Library Assistant Joan Cappocchi. (Roger Wilson/Leader)
In a tribute honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, the 15 year-old made history by piloting a single-engine red-tail four-seater Cessna 172 airplane from Compton, California to Newport News, Virginia and back.
Anyadike was accompanied by safety pilot Ronell Norman, as well as Tuskegee Airman Levi Thornhill.Safety pilot Ronell Norman, also a commercial pilot, is a graduate of the TAM program. The Tuskegee Airmen were an elite group of black pilots who flew missions during World War II, when the Army Air Forces was racially segregated.
Anayadike’s trip was sponsored by Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM), an organization that provides scholarships and after-school programs for aspiring young pilots. TAM encourage youth involvement in aviation as an alternative to drugs, gang violence and other self-destructive activities. The program offers elementary, middle, and high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with qualified tutors, mentors and aviation staff five days per week. The program requires that students maintain above average grades and stay out of trouble. We have concluded that their newfound interest in aviation and relevant historical events improves their overall academic performance as well as their behavior in school.
In only a few years, the TAM program has set 9 World Records. These world record young pilots including Jonathan Strickland, Breean Farfan, Jimmy Haywood, and Kenny Royhave demonstrated the positive results of the Life-Changing programs offered by Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum. Additionally, with the help of The Tuskegee Airmen they have been able to stay focused and inspired.
Anyadike, who wants to be a cardiovascular surgeon, says she hopes her accomplishments inspire other young people. "The sky is no longer the limit," Anyadike said.
Anyadike’s older sister, Kelly, also set a world record in 2008 by being the youngest African-American female to solo in four different fixed-wing aircraft on the same day. She was 16 year-old at the time. Both young ladies say they were inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen.
The sisters also recognize and honor the fact that they stand on the shoulders of Bessie Coleman, the first African American airline pilot, and Mae Jemison, the first African American female to travel in space.
To financially support this outstanding organization, Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM), please visit their site.
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Thanks for the article! You can meet Kimberly and her sister Kelly, tons of Tuskegee Airmen and NASA’s first black female astronaut Mae Jemison at our semi-annual “Legacy- A Tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen” fundraising dinner and auction in L.A. on July 25th. Up for bids is a private lunch with BerNadatte Stanis who played Thelma on “Good Times”. If you can’t make the dinner, please consider buying a ticket or a table to donate to one of the kids in the program, as everyone has to pay to get in- even the boss! You can also join our Aviation Angels program here http://www.tamuseum.org to help other great kids like Kimberly dream big and achieve big!
Kimmie, we are so proud you and your sister. Sorry we didn’t get to see you and your family when you were here. Keep up the wonderful work, you are making a lot of people very proud
A point of correction… Pls, she's from Imo State, Nigeria and not african american. Thank You!!!!