Westly Robinson
Age: 20
Hometown: Houston, TX
School: Texas Southern University
Graduation Year: 2027
“I applied to Tuskegee NEXT because I believe the program offers an incredible opportunity, not only to help me stay close to aviation but also to shape me into the kind of mentor I wish I had when I started my journey.”
About Me:
I was born and raised in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria up on till I was 9 years old. Prior to moving to the United States, I went to a school called Ogbe Ibuya Primary School in Nigeria, where I found my love for aviation.
Since my Elementary school was really close to the airport of Benin (DNBE) during my launch break, I would always go to the fence of the airport wishing that one day I would be able to be on the other side of the fence that kept me away from those airplanes that I wanted to see up close.
Fast forward to the year 2016, when my mother brought me and my siblings to the United States, I might have come empty-handed, but I did not come empty-minded. You might be wondering what beliefs were on that young man’s mind? The two beliefs that I held onto were the notion that America is the land of opportunity, and since America is a land of opportunity, that means that I will be able to be on the other side of the airport fence someday if I choose the right career.
In the year 2022, I had my first discovery flight at Sugarland regional Airport (KSGR), which was an exciting moment for me. Since I finally achieved one of my goals of being on the other side of an airport fence a new problem arose. How do I maintain my access to remain on the other side of the airport fence? So, that was what led me to choose to pursue a career as a pilot who could someday be an example and a mentor for the next generation of men and women who aspire to become pilots someday in the near future.
Why are you passionate about aviation?
I’m passionate about aviation because of its challenges. The difficulty and complexity of this field pushes you to grow and adapt. I’ve learned to look at challenges not with fear, but with optimism: Who do I need to become to overcome this? That mindset motivates me daily. As my mentor Jim Rohn says, “It’s not what you get that makes you valuable, but it is what you become.”
Why did you choose to apply to Tuskegee NEXT and how did you hear about the program?
I applied to Tuskegee NEXT because I believe the program offers an incredible opportunity, not only to help me stay close to aviation but also to shape me into the kind of mentor I wish I had when I started my journey. When I began pursuing aviation, I didn’t have a family member, teacher, or mentor who had been through the process of becoming a pilot that I could turn to for guidance. Tuskegee NEXT provides both the tools and the community to bridge that gap and one day, I hope to offer that same support to someone else.
I first heard about Tuskegee NEXT through my first flight instructor at Texas Southern University, Donivhan Patterson, who was part of the Tuskegee NEXT Cadet Cohort of 2021. I also learned more about the program from Folahan Odewabi, whom I met at Texas Southern as well. Seeing how Tuskegee NEXT impacted their journeys showed me the kind of growth and opportunity that could be possible for me as well.
What are your future aviation aspirations?
My ultimate goal is to become an airline pilot. After that, I hope to open my own flight school to train and inspire the next generation of aviators.
Fun Fact:
I am the first person to become a pilot in my family.
Quote:
“The knowledge you don’t expose to yourself will forever remain a stranger to your brain.” – Westly Robinson