A groundbreaking initiative at Denver Airport Station (DEN) is set to transform opportunities in the aviation industry, with a focus on underserved communities. The Center for Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) aims to inspire young people, create career pathways and foster innovation, all while honoring pioneers of aviation who paved the way.

“The idea has always been, how do we make sure that this economic opportunity benefits those that may never get on a plane or work at the airport?” said DEN Chief Executive Officer, Phil Washington, during a program announcing the initiative on Dec. 16. 

“We began to think, how can we build a Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation to expose young people – not just here in Denver, but all over the country – to the aviation infrastructure space? If they walk in and say, ‘I want to be a pilot,’ we want to show them how to become a pilot. If they say, ‘I want to be an aircraft mechanic,’ we want to show them that pathway.”

CEEA is being constructed in a previously unused space at the airport that had been vacant for nearly 30 years. 

“When I first arrived and saw this space, I thought, ‘You didn’t use it in 30 years, and now there are plans?’” Washington recounted, emphasizing his determination to use the area for programs that would change lives.

Built on three key pillars, CEEA will support small, minority and women-owned businesses; building clear career pathways for young people; and advancing research and innovation in aviation.

Building Career Pathways  

The center’s career pathways program has already made a significant impact, with leaders visiting 200 schools over the past two years to introduce aviation as a career option. 

“We want young people to understand that aviation isn’t just about flying planes, it’s about creating a future,” said Washington. “It’s about generational wealth. It’s about opportunity.”

“This is a cradle-to-senior leadership pathway. From grade school to senior leadership –  somewhere along the way, kids will see they can have a career in this space.”

For Ed Dwight, the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate and one of the event’s distinguished guests, the CEEA represents both progress and a reminder of the challenges that minorities have faced in the aviation industry. 

Dwight, who was nominated to NASA’s astronaut program by President John F. Kennedy, shared his personal story of resilience. 

“I’ll try not to bore you too much about the details of what it has taken all these years for minorities –  blacks as well as browns and women – to have equity in the field of aviation,” he said. “The field of aviation saved my little tiny butt. It wasn’t just about flying; it was about the discipline, the education, and the character I developed.”

Crediting his success to his mother’s forward-thinking vision, Dwight shared, “My mother had this crazy idea that the best thing that could happen to someone is to be born into this country,” 

“She believed that the job of people with advantage was to spend their lives helping those who were disadvantaged. That was her teaching. She believed the second most important thing in your life is what you’re going to do with it.”

Innovation and Inclusion  

Following CEEA’s first pillar and second pillars to support small, minority and women-owned businesses and career aspirations, the program’s third pillar – research and innovation – seeks to establish Denver as a hub for aviation progress. 

“We want to be the test bed for innovation,” Washington said. “If people want to try things in aviation, we want them to come to us first. We want the aviation industry to know that the Rocky Mountain region is where you find talent, where you recruit your future workforce.”

The center’s plans also include addressing critical needs like childcare for trainees and employees. 

“We’re building a short-term childcare facility so people who come to train here can drop their kids off for a couple of hours. It’s just the first step. We know it’s hard for young parents – moms and dads alike – to balance training and childcare.”

Honoring Aviation Pioneers  

CEEA will celebrate aviation’s rich history by dedicating its largest space, the Hall of Equity, to two iconic figures: Ed Dwight and Bessie Coleman. 

Coleman, the first Black and Native American woman to obtain a pilot’s license, was represented at the event by her great-niece, Gigi Coleman.

“We are honored to celebrate pioneers like Ed Dwight and Bessie Coleman,” Coleman said. “Their stories of overcoming challenges inspire the very mission of this center.”

Dwight shared a heartfelt reflection on the honor. “I just never thought anything like this would happen,” he said. “There’s no words in the language to show my appreciation for this dedication and the cause that it represents. Education saved me, and what’s happening here will save and inspire so many more.”

Gigi Coleman echoed the sentiment, sharing her family’s pride in Bessie Coleman’s legacy. “My great-aunt believed that nothing should hold you back – not race, not gender. She worked tirelessly to make her dreams a reality, and it’s incredible to see her honored here today.”

A Future of Opportunity  

With construction at 50% completion, organizers are optimistic about the CEEA’s impact on the local community and beyond.

“This center will change lives. It’s about equity, opportunity, and innovation,” DEN’s executive leader emphasized. “We want the aviation industry to come here and say, ‘If you want the best, go to Denver.’”

The CEEA space will feature a state-of-the-art facility, including a 70,000-square-foot space designed by minority-owned firms and built by Sky Blue Builders. Leaders hope the initiative will serve as a model for equity and excellence across industries.

“This isn’t just a center,” Washington concluded. “It’s a doorway to the future, a future where everyone has a chance to take flight.”.

Editor’s note: To learn more about CEEA, visit www.flydenver.com /business-and-community/ceea/.