Members of the New York Metro Black Pilots of America (NYMBPA), including young aviators, Brandon and Anaya
Willabus (left), and Alexander Powell (back row, second left), and MC Dimple Willabus (fourh from left) congratulate
honorees Brian Worthington (sixth from left) and Sidney Irish (seventh from left). Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Caribbean Life, MARCH 4-10, 2022 3
By Nelson A. King
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday proclaimed
March to be Women’s History
Month, delivering a message celebrating
the achievements of New York
women and expounding on her vision
for gender equity.
“As the birthplace of the women’s
rights movement, women’s history is
New York’s History,” Gov. Hochul said.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants,
and as the first female Governor of New
York State, I know I would not be here
if not for the brave women who blazed
the trails I have walked.
“As New Yorkers, we must embrace
that legacy and ensure the future we
leave for our daughters and granddaughters
is an even brighter, fairer one
than was left to us,” she added.
In her Women’s History Month proclamation,
Hochul celebrated the legendary
women who were pioneers in the
field of medicine and healthcare, and
lauded New York women from throughout
history for their contributions to
politics, culture and more.
Gov. Hochul also delivered a message
to New Yorkers in honor of Women’s
History Month that discusses the
work underway to strengthen childcare,
expand equal opportunities for
all women, and pass an Equal Rights
Amendment.
The landmarks to be lit in purple
in honor of Women’s History Month
include: One World Trade Center; Gov.
Mario M. Cuomo Bridge; Kosciuszko
Bridge; The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building;
State Education Building; Alfred E.
Smith State Office Building; Empire
State Plaza; State Fairgrounds – Main
Gate and Expo Center; Niagara Falls;
The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson
Bridge; Grand Central Terminal –
Pershing Square Viaduct; Albany International
Airport Gateway; MTA Long
Island Railroad – East End Gateway at
Penn Station; and Fairport Lift Bridge.
By Tangerine Clarke
The exceptional accomplishments of
Black pilots, and their dedication to inspiring
youth, were celebrated at a Black History
Month Dinner and Celebration at the
Villa Russo, Queens on Feb. 27, hosted by
the New York Metro Black Pilots of America
(NYMBPA).
Eric Adams Office of the Mayor of the
City of New York recognized Brian Worthington,
CEO/chief pilot of Flight King
NYC, with a letter that reads: “Black History
Month serves as a vital reminder
to celebrate the long legacy of African
American excellence throughout the five
boroughs and to reaffirm our collective
commitment to eliminate the barriers to
wellbeing that Black New Yorkers still face.
Since 2014, NYMBPA has been a crucial
ally in the pursuit of a fairer New York City.
Under the leadership of President Brian
Worthington, NYMBPA has been dedicated
to its mission of creating opportunities and
increasing access in the field of aviation for
underprivileged youth.
“By offering education, key lectures,
and training, as well as promoting and
supporting aircraft ownership, NYMBPA
fosters an interest in aviation and provides
youth with the resources they need to step
into the cockpit and soar to their highest
heights. I am proud to applaud NYMBPA
for all it does to forge brighter futures for
all New Yorkers.”
The letter, presented by Rohan Narine,
senior community liaison at Mayor’s Community
Affairs Unit, states, “On behalf of
the City of New York, I extend my best
wishes for a safe and memorable celebration.”
Pastor Ellsworth Chester opened the
event with a prayer and was emceed by
Dimple Willabus. It honored Worthington,
a former US Navy pilot, and first officer of
Delta Airlines, and highlighted the aviator’s
determination, as he is changing
career to realize his passion and desire to
become an aeronaut.
Worthington, a former NYPD pilot, and
president of NYMBPA, told an audience
that included Michael Carr and Royston
Charles, two other NYPD Elite Helicopter
Pilots, and young aviators, he was tired
of living in public housing and wanted to
be out of that environment and worked
diligently until he was hired at John F.
Kennedy airport, to be close to airplanes.
He later joined the military, and immediately
requested to be in an airplane.
Unfortunately, his assignment which
including from jumping from airplanes
still did not meet his high expectations,
so he continued to seek ways to become
a pilot.
Worthington who was destined to climb
to the friendly skies as a pilot after gaining
experience in aviation in the National
Guard, went on to graduate from flight
school, and today his company, Flight King,
offers flight instruction, rentals, affordable
aircraft, and quality instructors. He is also
a mentor to young aviators, including his
son.
Against the backdrop that says “NYMBPA
is providing an atmosphere for everyone
to learn to fly and own airplanes,” NYS
Assemblyman of District 33, Clyde Vanel,
a pilot, who issued Worthington and pilots
Sidney Irish, and Reynard Burns, citations,
applauded Black pilots for launching the
organization, and parents for encouraging
their children to learn how to fly, noting
that it’s amazing to get into an airplane
and be separated from the ground, as well
as flying solo.
“This organization is more than just
aviation, this organization helps normal
people with dreaming, improving, making
sure your skills are better,” said Vanel.
Noting that aviation is not cheap, Vanel
called on patrons to continue to support
NYMBPA, by attending more meetings,
and by visiting the airport, making it possible
for more people to be in the field. “Let’s
make the extraordinary, ordinary,” said the
airplane owner.
Irish was also presented with a plaque,
for his sterling contributions in aviation,
and his dedication to passing on his skills to
young aviators including Anaya and Brandon
Willabus, Alexander Powell. The three
youngsters presented him with the award.
Thanking the group, he said, “It is an
honor to be associated with the young aviators
who I train. I will continue to provide
all that I can to make aviation accessible
to you.”
Guest speaker, Reynard Burns, a Tuskegee
Airman veteran, lauded the NYMBPA
for providing the opportunity for him to
speak of the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
He praised them for their accomplishments
and commitment.
Burns, who was honored with the BHM
Distinguished Award, The Eagle Award,
Legacy Award, to name a few, recalled the
extraordinary feat, brotherhood, training,
and combat missions, undertaken by Black
pilots.
Willabus, who has thrown her hat in
the ring for Assembly District 59 in Brooklyn,
thanked the audience for supporting
the organization, and acknowledged
sponsors, Romeo Hitlall owner of NMCRA,
the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and
Sherry’s Weakness 4 Sweetness.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochu. Associated
Press/Hans Pennink
Black pilots celebrated and
honored at BHM event
Hochul
celebrates
Women’s
History Month