{"id":483839,"date":"2021-04-28T17:14:47","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T21:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/alaska-airlines-reveals-our-commitment-aircraft-in-partnership-with-uncf\/"},"modified":"2021-04-28T17:14:47","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T21:14:47","slug":"alaska-airlines-reveals-our-commitment-aircraft-in-partnership-with-uncf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/alaska-airlines-reveals-our-commitment-aircraft-in-partnership-with-uncf\/","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Airlines reveals “Our Commitment” aircraft in partnership with UNCF"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Aircraft serves as embodiment of Alaska’s values, takes conversation around education, equity and belonging to the skies, and is an extension of a 15-year partnership between Alaska and UNCF<\/h2>\n

PR Newswire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n SEATTLE<\/span>, April 28, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ —\u00a0Alaska Airlines’ “Our Commitment” aircraft took to the skies in partnership with UNCF (United Negro College Fund), a symbol of the airline’s promise to create a place where everyone sees themselves and belongs. Designed with Alaska’s<\/span> Air Group Black Employees, Allies and Advocates (ABEA)<\/a>\u00a0group to illustrate the airline’s belief in education as the great equalizer and as a critical component of creating sustainable racial equity, the aircraft features 14 profiles of the next generation of leaders: the children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska’s<\/span> employees. The aircraft made its inaugural flight from Seattle<\/span> to Washington D.C.<\/span>, on Tuesday, April 27<\/span>. <\/p>\n

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“As a company, we know we are not yet where we need to be when it comes to diversity, but we are inspired and guided by our value to do the right thing<\/i>. With this aircraft, we are doing the right thing by amplifying the conversation around education, equity and belonging and taking it to the skies,” said Ben Minicucci<\/span>, Alaska Airlines CEO. “This aircraft will continue to be an inspiration for us on the journey.”<\/p>\n

\n Commitment to Education
<\/b>The aircraft embodies Alaska’s<\/span> long-term partnership with UNCF<\/a>, the largest scholarship provider for students of color and an organization dedicated to enabling under-represented students to become highly-qualified college graduates. “Our Commitment” will fly throughout Alaska’s<\/span> network year-round spreading the word about UNCF and inspiring conversation around racial equity and the transformative impact of education in the lives of young people.<\/p>\n

Dr. Michael L. Lomax<\/span>, president and CEO of UNCF said, “While small in number, our HBCUs are landmarks to our past and keys to our future. They enable us to keep a legacy\u2014by their very existence.\u00a0HBCUs are much\u00a0more than schools. They are places where Black students can feel safe, welcomed, and embraced by the college community. Additionally,\u00a0the nation’s HBCUs make up just 3% of America’s colleges and universities, yet they produce almost 20% of all African American graduates and 25% of African American graduates in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics\u2014the critical industries of the future.”<\/p>\n

This special paint theme builds on more than 15 years of partnership, including Alaska<\/span> employees and guests donating millions of miles<\/a> to UNCF to fly students to college tours and campuses at numerous Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Alaska<\/span> 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.<\/p>\n

“As the only Congresswoman to graduate from Clark Atlanta University<\/span>, 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,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Read More: ‘I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams’: Albany State Alum shares the importance of HBCUs’ history, legacy and excellence<\/a><\/p>\n

\n About the Aircraft
<\/b>With “Our Commitment” aircraft, Alaska<\/span> is honoring its value of doing the right thing,<\/i> taking the conversation around education, equity and belonging to the skies. The aircraft features the profiles of 14 children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska<\/span> employees, along with two quotes that have inspired the airline’s diversity, equity and inclusion work.<\/p>\n

\n “The time is always right to do what is right.”<\/i>\u00a0\u2013 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” \u2013 Nelson Mandela<\/span><\/i>\n <\/p>\n

The typography on the aircraft was created by Ad\u00e9 Hogue<\/a>, a Chicago<\/span>-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.<\/p>\n

The plane is a Boeing 737-900ER, and commercial service on the aircraft began April 27<\/span> with an inaugural flight to Washington, D.C.<\/span> 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<\/span> commitments to diversity and equity, and information on UNCF and HBCUs, including how to donate to the organization.<\/p>\n

\n Faces of Alaska Airlines
<\/b>The 14 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:<\/p>\n