AGAPE LOVE

As the Black History Diversity Committee Coordinator for United Airlines, White works with fellow Black History Committee Members to celebrate legacy while highlighting our culture and further recognizing the role of Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Yvette Alston White believes in helping others! She wears a lot of hats at United Airlines: Customer Service Representative, Premium Services Representative and her role as the ‘Black History Diversity Committee Coordinator’ for United Airlines provides her with the opportunity to not only help others, but to celebrate them as well.

First of its kind

As she communicated to The Tré, “I take pride in our initiatives. One being our successful 2022 Juneteenth celebration a historic flight lead by BEACON, United’s Black Business Resource Group (BRG). The organization is the first of its kind at United dedicated to a specific race/ethnicity. That flight was a memorable experience, not just for the students but for me as well”

For many students the trip was their very first flight. “I was thrilled and beyond proud to be part of this United Airlines effort to celebrate Black history with its origins in Texas.” Students from a variety of backgrounds, races and ethnicities were on this inaugural United flight to Galveston, Texas. History on flight was read by Majic 102 DJ Smooth. In the air, during the flight, they learned about the city’s rich history as the first city in Texas to abolish slavery in 1865, freeing one of the last groups of slaves in the United States.

Working together for positive change

“As the Black History Diversity Committee Coordinator for United Airlines in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, I assisted with the planning of our Black History Diversity Program which was established in Houston in 2014. Working with fellow Black History Committee Members, Supervisor, Stanley

Evans, Team Leaders, Brenda Douglas, Rose Lopes-Harris, CSR Crainna Berry and CSR Juanita Williams-Burton we are proud to celebrate the lives and legacy of those who came before us, while highlighting our culture and further recognizing the role of Black, Indigenous and People of Color.”

Black Lives Matter

United Airlines has a well-deserved reputation for striving to deliver our best service to every customer. We start by going the extra mile with our team to make sure we support one another and that we’re aware of events both domestically and internationally that can impact members of the United family. One example is a beautiful memorial service we conducted for the late George Floyd. “We held a moment of silence and took a knee in his honor. United also made “Black Lives Matter” pins available with the proceeds benefitting the local Chicago nonprofit, known as M3, which stands for ‘My Block, My Hood, My City. It’s an organization that helps underserved young people in the Chicago area by providing them with new experiences and exposing them to possibilities outside their communities.

A career in aviation for women

United Airlines’ Commitment to Diversity is wide-ranging and looks to have a long-term and far-reaching impact. “United Aviate Academy” opened in 2021 and continues to work towards diversifying the flight deck. The first class, 80% of whom were women or people of color, completed a rigorous year-long training program that prepares them for an amazing career in aviation and prepared them to deliver United’s high standard of professionalism and deep commitment to delivering a safe, caring dependable and efficient travel experiences.

Helping students reach their full potential

We also have a recruiting initiative called ‘Year Up’. It provides talented young professionals with their first corporate internship experience with United. United employees can host a student learner and help ensure the student gains the skills, experiences and support needed to reach their fullest potential.

United’s fleet is growing. As part of the airline’s aim to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 100 per cent by 2050, United has invested in electric aircraft. With Denver-based aerospace company, Boom, they have the world’s first purchase agreement for net-zero carbon supersonic aircraft. Boom’s ‘Overture’ aircraft will cut travel times in half and operate on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel. In addition, United Invests Another $15 Million in Electric Flying Taxi Market with Eve. The companies intend to work on future projects, including studies on the development, use and application of Eve’s aircraft and the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.