Michael Ojo set up the Lookup Flight Academy to empower a new generation of aviators with the tools required to succeed in their aviation careers. His vision recently became a reality after Gwinnett County commissioners gave the go-ahead for him to set up the academy.
He has also made history as he’s now behind a pilot school that is Black-owned in the county, Atlanta News First reported. Ojo has had a flying passion for nearly ten years. His aim for the Lookup Flight Academy is to bring more minorities into aviation and also assist them in establishing careers in the field. The percentage of minority pilots in the aviation industry currently stands at three.
Ojo’s Lookup Flight Academy is set to run its duties at the Gwinnett County Airport.
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“What we are finding out, particularly with Black and brown, is it’s not so much that there is little representation there’s also a lack of knowledge,” Ojo told Atlanta News First. “Like I said there’s a lot of folks that don’t know this exists,” he added.
Besides the Lookup Flight Academy, Ojo is also the brain behind Mojocreatives – a digital solutions company – and MojoGrip, which is a digital aviation brand, POCIT reported.
Ojo said his academy is set to officially launch in the summer, POCIT added. “I started flying almost 10 years ago and I remember it was 15-year-old girl, a Black girl, I was out in California, and I read that she had flown across the country. I was like if she can do it, I can. I’ve had the desire to fly since I was six or seven,” Ojo said.
His initiative was lauded by billionaire Robert. F. Smith in a post on LinkedIn. “The Lookup Flight Academy addresses the lack of representation within the aviation industry. Historically, Black individuals have been underrepresented in aviation roles, limiting #opportunities and perpetuating systemic barriers. Mike Ojo’s vision is to create a pipeline of diverse talent and offer comprehensive training, #mentorship and support to aspiring aviators,” he added.
He continued: “As someone committed to racial equity, I am inspired by this transformative initiative. My work with Fund II Foundation has reinforced the importance of creating opportunities that empower individuals and communities. By supporting diversity and inclusion, we can build a more equitable and prosperous society.
“Congratulations to the Lookup Flight Academy and Gwinnett County for this historic achievement. Here’s to empowering the next generation of aviators and building a future where everyone has the opportunity to soar.”
