Empowering Black Excellence in Aerospace.
Jobs, Mentorship, and Community for Black Undergrads Seeking Aerospace Careers.
We’re on a mission to provide an effective pathway into successful aerospace careers and future aerospace industry leadership to people whose race and ethnicity has made them the subject of systemic bias.
As we succeed in that goal, we will drive meaningful change in the aerospace industry itself in terms of how it acknowledges, and addresses matters of racial and ethnic equity and inclusion.
Our award-winning program, inspired by the Brooke Owens Fellowship, provides extraordinary Black students with their first work experience in the aerospace industry, personalized mentorship, and a cohort of similarly driven and talented young Black people pursuing aerospace careers.
Making your first job a great job.
Entering into the aerospace industry can seem nearly impossible — every job opening seems to require that you already have working experience somewhere else, and too much of the aerospace industry’s recruiting focuses on a small handful of schools. Patti Grace Smith Fellows earn meaningful, competitively-sourced summer internships at some of the nation’s leading aerospace institutions, including established companies, startups, government labs, universities, and more. Working a ~12 week summer internship at these places, our Fellows hone their talents and sharpen their practical, on-the-job skills while contributing to an inspiring mission. And throughout the process, they are paid a living wage.
Providing mentorship from those who have blazed the trail.
Patti Grace Smith Fellows are exceptional students who have already demonstrated remarkable talent and achievement in their academic and research pursuits. These rising leaders enter the program with a strong foundation and a drive to contribute meaningfully to the future of aerospace. To accelerate their trajectory and amplify their impact, each Fellow is matched with two distinguished mentors: one a leader at the forefront of the industry, and the other a rising professional who brings recent, relevant insight. This dual-mentorship approach enhances the Fellow’s ability to build upon their existing excellence, engage deeply with real-world challenges, and contribute innovative thinking to the field—long before graduation.
Building communities of talented, passionate, and successful Black leaders in aerospace.
You aren’t on this journey alone — but too often, it can seem that way. In an industry that is 84% white, many Black students and young professionals in aerospace are isolated and tokenized. The Patti Grace Smith Fellowship provides these early-career future leaders with a quickly expanding network of Black peers, colleagues, friends, and role models. An annual Summit and Team Projects undertaken by each class of Fellows help build bonds and forge productive relationships.
Providing cash grants that help launch careers.
Pursuing higher education and launching a career in aerospace shouldn’t be limited by financial barriers. From laptops and software to textbooks, tuition, and professional attire, the costs can quickly add up. That’s why each Patti Grace Smith Fellow receives a cash grant of $2,500 or more—flexible funding that can be used for tuition, school fees, or the tools and resources essential to their academic success. This support allows Fellows to stay focused on what matters most: advancing their education, building their skills, and shaping their future as aerospace professionals.
