Lookup Flight Academy, the first Black-owned flight school in Gwinnett County, has announced a bold new initiative to expand opportunities in the aviation industry by pledging $1 million in scholarships aimed at training 1,000 pilots. The commitment, set to roll out through the school’s nonprofit arm in 2026, is designed to break down financial barriers that have historically limited diversity in the cockpit — especially for Black Americans and women of color, who together make up a small fraction of commercial pilots nationwide. WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlanta
Founded three years ago by Michael Ojo with a mission to boost representation in aviation, Lookup recently secured its Part 141 certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, a key credential that allows students to access federal financial aid and grants. The scholarship program will support aspiring pilots like 27-year-old Troi Miller, a Marine veteran working toward her dream of flying cargo for FedEx. WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlanta
The effort also aligns with broader industry needs: aviation experts like Boeing project a significant pilot shortage in the coming decades. Ojo and his team say Lookup Flight Academy is ready to help meet that demand while fostering economic opportunity and ending generational barriers within underserved communities. WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlanta
Source: WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlanta (Jan. 1, 2026) WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlant
(Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
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