28-Year-Old Antoinette Paris-Hudson Becomes PSA Airlines’ Third Black Female Captain

At 28 years old, Antoinette Paris-Hudson has made aviation history as the third Black female Captain for PSA Airlines. Her journey, marked by passion and perseverance, recently reached another milestone when she received a job offer from American Airlines, the world’s largest airline.

From a young age, Antoinette was captivated by the sight of airplanes taking off from LAX, a fascination she shared with her father. Despite being a first-generation pilot in her family and lacking a mentor, she remained determined to pursue her dream.

In 2016, Antoinette earned her degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering from Kansas State University. She then began her career in the aviation industry, joining PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, as a First Officer in 2019. Her talent and dedication quickly earned her a promotion to Captain in 2022, making her only the third Black female to achieve this rank in the company’s history.

Reflecting on her accomplishment, Antoinette shared on Facebook, “I’m only the THIRD black female captain in my company’s history. This last month has been challenging, but by the grace of God and the unwavering support of my family, I’ve come out on the other side as an AIRLINE CAPTAIN. This is truly a dream come true.”

Her career continued to soar when she received a job offer from American Airlines. Celebrating this achievement, she posted, “I received a job offer from American Airlines, the largest airline in the world. Five-year-old Antoinette dreamed of this day, and it’s finally come. God has never ceased to amaze me over this 10-year journey. I’m still in awe that by the age of 28, I’ve become a pilot at a major airline. This is a dream I never want to wake up from.”

Antoinette’s academic journey was as impressive as her professional one. She was the first African-American woman to graduate from Kansas State University’s Aviation Program, earning a degree in Aeronautical Technology and a minor in Aviation Safety. She subsequently worked at Textron Aviation, the world’s leading general aviation manufacturer, serving as a flight dispatcher and Flying Club Flight Instructor. Later, she served as a Flight Specialist at Elizabeth City State University, instructing and mentoring students working towards their professional certifications.

Her extensive qualifications, including ATP, Commercial, Single/Multi-Engine, CFI, and CFII certifications, highlight her expertise and dedication to aviation.

Antoinette Paris-Hudson’s journey is a testament to breaking barriers and achieving dreams. Her story inspires aspiring pilots, especially women of color, showing that with passion, determination, and support, the sky is not the limit but just the beginning.

Helms Ategeka, an 18-year-old from Oakland, California, has achieved an extraordinary feat: acceptance into 122 colleges and universities with a total of $5.3 million in scholarship offers. His remarkable journey is a testament to his passion for music and relentless determination, despite initial doubts from his father.

Helms’ dream has always been to become a pop star. His passion for music is evident in his daily life, whether he’s participating in his high school’s a cappella group, listening to his extensive collection of CDs, or performing in his community. Despite this, his father, Chris Ategeka, initially hoped for a more conventional career path for his son, one that promised financial stability, such as medicine, engineering, or computer technology.

Faced with his father’s concerns, Helms embarked on a mission to prove his dedication and work ethic. Last fall, he began applying to colleges—over 150 of them. Acceptance letters began trickling in, eventually turning into a flood. Helms received 122 acceptance letters and a staggering $5.3 million in scholarship offers. His academic achievements, including a 3.94 GPA, played a significant role in these acceptances.

Helms’ college application process was driven by a key requirement: a strong music program. Using online portals, he efficiently applied to multiple schools, tailoring his essays to highlight his passion for music and his unique background as an immigrant. His efforts paid off with offers from prestigious institutions such as Bard College, Drexel University, Howard University, Loyola Marymount University, and even his father’s alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley. Read more about Helms here.

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