who we are

leadership

Mr. Ryan M. Jones was elected to the role of President in 2022 after serving as Vice President of Let's Go Up to the 21st Century. Mr. Jones has spent much of his childhood volunteering at LGU summer camps, attending aviation programs sponsored by the organization, and learning about the legacy of blacks in aviation. In recent years, Mr. Jones has helped develop strategic opportunities for the organization in his role as Vice President.

He holds degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park and University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law.

Mr. Ryan M. Jones, Executive Director

Our Working Board

  • Cosby Washington

  • Tonya Anderson

  • Sherman Taylor

  • Malissa Briones

Our Advisory Board

  • Beverly Armstrong

    FORMER PRESIDENT, BESSIE COLEMAN FOUNDATION

  • Jacob Collins

    PROFESSOR OF AVIATION STUDIES, HOWARD UNIVERSITY

  • Frances Lyle-Harper

    FORMER SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE ENGINEER, NASA SPACE SHUTTLE PROJECT

  • Christopher Hart

    FORMER CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

  • Joseph Hawkins

    FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

  • Kishana Reynolds

    CONSULTANT, INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

  • Linda Jones

    FORMER IT PROJECT LEAD, KAISER PERMANENTE

  • Charles Reavis

    FORMER FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

  • Ernest Taylor

    FORMER DELTA AIRLINES PILOT, MEMBER OF ORGANIZATION FOR BLACK AIRLINE PILOTS (OBAP)

recognition & awards

collision course

Ronald Reagan, The Air Traffic Controllers, and The Strike That Changed America: Featured in Chapter 7

a proclamation from the prince george’s city council

Commended for committed service to the youth of Prince George's County and the Washington Metropolitan Area

nbc4, washington

Featured story "Living Dreams, Building Hope" as one of the outstanding non-profits in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area

wjla-abc 7

Washington "Good Morning America": Featured on Good Morning America, Recognized as an Outstanding Community Program

president’s volunteer service award

President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, Former President Barack Obama

black aviation pioneer award

East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Twenty years of Outstanding Support for the Youth in Aviation Program

bronze eagle award

National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees, Preparing Youth for Future Employment in Aviation Related Career Field

ron e. mcnair award

National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees, Aviation Education Contributions to Community Youth