FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — December 5, 2025

Media Contact: Talethia Thomas

info@blackwomeninaviation.com

www.blackwomeninaviation.com

Black Women in Aviation Receives National Grant to Expand Aviation Career Pathways for Delaware Youth

Funding from American Student Assistance (ASA) will help BWIA expand hands-on aviation programs and mentorship for underserved middle and high school students across Delaware and North Carolina.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Black Women in Aviation (BWIA), a Delaware-based nonprofit dedicated to opening doors for underrepresented youth in aviation, announced today that it has received a multi-year national grant from American Student Assistance® (ASA), a national nonprofit changing the way kids learn about careers and prepare for their futures. The award—part of ASA’s $8 million national investment in youth-serving nonprofits—will enable BWIA to expand programs that introduce Delaware students to immersive aviation and aerospace experiences, building confidence, career awareness, and technical skills. “This national recognition affirms that the future of aviation can and should be shaped right here in Delaware,” said Samantha T. Mitchell, FAA-certified Aircraft Maintenance Technician and Founder of Black Women in Aviation. “We’re helping students see that aviation isn’t just about flying—it’s about engineering, technology, innovation, and leadership. Every young person deserves to see themselves shaping the future of flight.” Mitchell, who made history as the first female aircraft mechanic for Air Jamaica at JFK Airport and brings over 20 years of industry experience, founded BWIA to ensure that more young people—especially girls of color—see themselves in the skies and beyond. Through BWIA’s flagship program, Aero Xperience: Aviation in Action, students explore flight simulation, drones, and aerospace technology while connecting with aviation professionals who look like them and represent what’s possible. With ASA’s support, BWIA will deepen partnerships with Delaware schools, colleges, and aviation leaders, including Piedmont Airlines and Delaware State University, expanding career-connected learning opportunities across the state. “Far too many young people foreclose opportunities for themselves because they have not been exposed to the possibilities,” said Julie Lammers, President and CEO of ASA. “With the help of our growing community of mission-aligned, youth-centered nonprofits, we are expanding access to meaningful career exploration, experimentation, and navigation experiences that will position young people for success and economic prosperity.” In the coming year, BWIA will launch new Aero Xperience cohorts in schools and community centers, expand its mentorship network, and introduce virtual-reality-based flight modules to enhance accessibility. Regional outreach events will continue to connect students with aviation professionals, role models, and real-world resources designed to help them take off. “Thanks to ASA’s support, we can do more than introduce students to aviation,” Mitchell added. “We can help them discover their potential—and realize that their dreams can truly take flight.”

About Black Women in Aviation (BWIA)

Black Women in Aviation (BWIA) is a Delaware-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, educating, and supporting Black women, girls, and all youth in pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace. Through education, mentorship, and partnerships with schools and industry leaders, BWIA works to double the percentage of Black women in aviation from 1% to 2%. Learn more at www.blackwomeninaviation.com.

About American Student Assistance (ASA)

American Student Assistance® (ASA) is a national nonprofit at the forefront of changing the way kids learn about careers and prepare for their futures through access to career readiness information and experiences for all. ASA helps middle and high school students to know themselves—their strengths and their interests—and understand their education and career options so that they can make informed decisions. ASA fulfills its mission—in schools and beyond the classroom—by providing free digital experiences, including Futurescape® and EvolveMe®, directly to millions of students, and through advocacy, impact investing, research, thought leadership, and philanthropic support for educators, intermediaries, and others. ASA fosters a generation of confident, crisis-proof young people who are ready for whatever path comes next after high school. To learn more about ASA, visit www.asa.org/about-asa.