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Flying high above the odds
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Kimberly Anyadike at age 15 is flying high, in an airplane that is. She is reportedly the youngest African-American female to fly across country. Remarkably, although Kimberly is not yet licensed to drive a car, she flew a single engine Cessna from her hometown of Compton, Ca to Newport News, Va.
Her inspiration says this courageous teen were the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen was the first all-black aviation combat unit in this country. Honored by such a tribute, retired Tuskegee Airman Major Levi Thornhill accompanied Kimberly Anyadike on her cross country trip.
Not content with just spending her time in front of a television set, at age 12 Kimberly along with her parents decided to participate in an after school program for disadvantaged children. The program is sponsored by the Compton-based Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum.
Dubbed Messenger of Hope, Kimberly at age 15 and Major Thornhill at age 86 have formed an otherwise unlikely bond. She now flies with a message that defy limits of age, circumstances, and status. In fact, even the sky is not the limit. In her own words, "You have to be determined in everything that you do. No matter what you want to do, just follow your heart." Inspiration for teens anywhere and everywhere regardless of color, ethnicity, and gender.
It is noteworthy that right here in Atlanta, South Atlanta High School as part of Georgia's Magnet Program, was initiated into a national aviation program in 1991. Both North Clayton High School and Tri-Cities High are now part of the program allowing teens to become licensed pilots while still in high school. They partner with Delta Airlines.
Kimberly who is only a sophomore in high school hopes to study cardiac surgery one day and no doubt will continue her high flying ways.
Kimberly Anyadike and Major Levi Thornhill
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