American Airlines Proudly Celebrates Black History Month

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — American Airlines is celebrating Black History Month with numerous events and initiatives throughout February, including showcasing African-American aviation pioneers and paying tribute to notable African-American films and TV shows onboard daily flights.

“Throughout the years we have continued to focus on our diversity and inclusion initiatives, which positively impact our more than 100,000 employees, our customers and the many communities we serve,” said Elise Eberwein, American’s executive vice president – People and Communications. “Teams are more effective when they include diverse points of view, experiences and skills. We believe increasing the awareness of these historical milestones is a small, but important, step in furthering our own internal diversity efforts.”

During the month of February, the American Airlines C.R.Smith Museum in Fort Worth will feature an exhibit entitled “Black History in Aviation.” On Saturday, Feb. 21, the museum will host the “5th Annual Celebration of 100 Years in Black Aviation: The Future is Now!” featuring historian and author C.B. Rice along with retired and current commercial pilots.

American is a proud sponsor of The History Makers project, which for the past 14 years has worked to preserve the histories of more than 2,600 African-Americans. These works are now housed in the Library of Congress, providing future generations a first-hand look into the lives of many who have helped shape our nation.

The February issue of American Way, American’s award-winning in-flight magazine, will include an “In Their Own Words” story featuring Robert Williams and Bridget Tarkington from the airline’s African American Diversity Network Employee Business Resource Group (AADN). The article will highlight American’s longstanding and award-winning diversity initiatives and programs.

AADN will host a series of employee events in February. They range from social events to events with speakers recognizing contributions of African-Americans in science, the military and civil rights as well as events celebrating African-American culture.

In conjunction with the American Black Film Festival and Foundation, a special lineup of onboard content has been created for the month of February. In-flight entertainment will showcase critically acclaimed African-American films, TV programs and Black Film Festival shorts.

American has been recognized for its diversity efforts, including being named in the 2014 Black EOE Journal’s Best of the Best for Top Diversity Employers, Top Supplier Diversity Programs and Top LGBT Employers, and the airline’s Diversity Advisory Council was named one of the top 25 councils in the nation for the sixth consecutive year. American also recently received the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Dallas Chapter Excellence in Education Award and the highest possible rating in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the 13th consecutive year.

About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines and US Airways. Together with wholly owned and third-party regional carriers operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries from its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to earn miles for travel, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and everyday purchases. Members of both programs can redeem miles for tickets as well as upgrades to First Class and Business Class. In addition, AAdvantage members can redeem miles for vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and retail products. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines and follow US Airways on Twitter @USAirways.

SOURCE American Airlines