Alaska Airlines Reveals ‘Our Commitment’ Aircraft in Partnership with UNCF

Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF says, “While small in number, our HBCUs are landmarks to our past and keys to our future. They enable us to keep a legacy—by their very existence. HBCUs are much more than schools. They are places where Black students can feel safe, welcomed, and embraced by the college community. Additionally, the nation’s HBCUs make up just 3 percent of America’s colleges and universities, yet they produce almost 20 percent of all African American graduates and 25 percent of African American graduates in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics—the critical industries of the future.”

This special paint theme builds on more than fifteen years of partnership, including Alaska employees and guests donating millions of miles to UNCF to fly students to college tours and campuses at numerous HBCUs. Alaska has committed to donating an additional 10 million miles over the course of the program and has also established a scholarship fund to help overcome the financial obstacles of getting a college education.

“As the only Congresswoman to graduate from Clark Atlanta University, I know firsthand how crucial a world-class education from an HBCU is to opening up pathways for success. Educational equity is the key to building a brighter, more inclusive future for all students, including those who are traditionally underserved. I was truly honored to join the inaugural flight from Seattle-Tacoma Airport to DC to celebrate this historic partnership between Alaska Airlines and UNCF to promote education, equity, and diversity,” says Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland.

About the Aircraft

With “Our Commitment” aircraft, Alaska is honoring its value of doing the right thing, taking the conversation around education, equity and belonging to the skies. The aircraft features the profiles of fourteen children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska employees, along with two quotes that have inspired the airline’s diversity, equity and inclusion work.

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

The typography on the aircraft was created by Adé Hogue, a Chicago-based artist and designer, who found inspiration in Civil Rights Movement-era imagery. The profile design was created by an Alaska Airlines employee, whose child is one of the feature profiles.

The plane is a Boeing 737-900ER, and commercial service on the aircraft began April 27 with an inaugural flight to Washington, D.C. Onboard, guests can expect a special greeting when they board that explains the vision and purpose of the aircraft. They will also be able to learn more through a custom seatback card and digital resources featuring bios of the children on the aircraft, details on Alaska’s commitments to diversity and equity, and information on UNCF and HBCUs, including how to donate to the organization.

Faces of Alaska Airlines

The fourteen students featured on the plane represent the next generation of leaders, and the diverse voices and faces in the Alaska Airlines family. Some of the students include:

• Shilah, daughter of Shirah, a Los Angeles-based flight attendant for Alaska. Shilah is in 11th grade and aspires to have a career in STEM. She loves computer science, art and crocheting. She plays golf and soccer, and likes to go thrift shopping with her mom.
• Arthur, son of Macara, a training delivery specialist for Alaska in Seattle. Arthur is in 8th grade and was recently accepted to Raisbeck Aviation High School in Tukwila, Wash. His greatest love is aeronautics and space exploration. He also enjoys creating models using his 3D printer and plays the bass guitar and piano.
• Jade, daughter of Sarah, an Alaska Airlines Lounge manager in Seattle. Jade is a student at the University of Washington, majoring in Linguistics. She has studied Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. In addition to her native English, she is fluent in German.
• Jonathan and Alexis, children of John-Antony, ITS senior test manager for Alaska. Jonathan is a freshman at the University of Washington, majoring in communications. He loves coordinating events and jazz music. He also speaks French and Spanish. Alexis is a sophomore at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. She’s majoring in International Studies and French, with aspirations of going into law. She also loves poetry and roller-skating.

Some of these students shared their reflections on equity and education, in their own words:

“Equity is something a kid can’t control, yet could possibly affect their entire future,” says Shilah, 11th grade. “Every child deserves an equal opportunity to be able to succeed, and you only get that when you have an equal playing field.”

“Knowledge is power. If you have knowledge, you can change the world. You can make it a better place and that’s what we really need to do,” says Dominique, 11th grade.

“Equity challenges the imbalances and power within our society,” says Alexis, sophomore at Whitworth University. “Equity is not about making sure that everybody has the same amount. It’s about making sure that everybody has the same start.”

Find information on all 14 students here.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals

Earlier in 2021, Alaska Airlines launched its new diversity, equity and inclusion commitments to increase BIPOC representation in leadership, continue to cultivate an inclusive culture and to lead publicly by supporting education on the path to equity. These goals include:

• By 2025, Alaska Airlines will increase racial diversity at all levels to at least 30 percent, including at the leadership level to reflect the diversity of its frontline employees.
• By 2025, Alaska will increase its “Inclusion Index Score” in its employee engagement survey by 10 points, reflecting its commitment to cultivating a truly inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong.
• By 2025, Alaska will help create career pathways for at least 175,000 young people through continued partnerships with organizations like UNCF.

“As a leader in aviation, we have a responsibility to use our platform and voice to spark much needed conversations around the need for greater diversity, equity and inclusion within our industry, and that starts from the top down,” Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci says. “Our greatest opportunity is to increase the diversity of our leadership levels to reflect the diversity of our broader employee population.”