In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Samantha T. Mitchell—licensed A&P mechanic, author, and founder of Black Women in Aviation—about building a career where women are still drastically underrepresented, especially in maintenance. Samantha recounts finding aviation through a college brochure, nearly losing a dream role over citizenship status, becoming the first female mechanic for Air Jamaica at JFK, and learning to navigate rooms where she was often the only one.

They discuss how the DEI rollback is affecting funding, visibility, and community support, why “we are more than letters,” and practical ways women can persist: invite yourself in, anchor to one ally, reprogram limiting blueprints, and lead with demonstrated competence. Samantha closes with a vision of progress defined not by headcounts but by a domino effect of inspired “yeses.”

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Don’t Wait—Invite Yourself

01:20 | Why This Season: DEI Rollback

04:18 | Finding Maintenance at Vaughn

07:45 | Boeing Setback, Air Jamaica Pivot

09:25 | Being the Only One in the Room

14:13 | “More Than Letters”: DEI Reality

17:54 | Build the Turbulence Muscle

20:23 | One Ally, Faith, and Mentors

25:03 | Own Your Gifts, Own Your Path

29:12 | Progress as a Domino Effect

Follow Samantha T. Mitchell

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