Ta-Merry Harrison

School: Middle Georgia State University

“For me, flying isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. I know the journey ahead may be a bit turbulent, but I’m committed to rising above it with resilience. Along the way, I hope to inspire other young people, especially those of color, to reach for greatness without limitation. Because the sky is not the limit... it is just the beginning.”

Biography:

My life changed forever when my mom took me to the Bessie Coleman Museum at the age of 14. The museum was filled with women of color sharing their experiences as pilots, speaking candidly about their journeys, the barriers they broke, and the times they felt overwhelmed or unheard. 

Hearing their stories, I fell in love with aviation. I didn’t know exactly how I would get there, but I knew in my heart that I wanted to be a pilot. A spark, a connection, a quiet sense of guidance formed that day, and I’ve been following it ever since. 

My path in aviation hasn’t been linear, but it has always been persistent and full of progress, thanks to the constant upliftment of my family. They are my spine, giving me structure and support. 

In high school, I joined the ACE Academy (Aviation Career Enrichment), and a few years later, I enrolled at Middle Georgia State University, where I immersed myself in ground school and aviation coursework. Unexpectedly, life circumstances forced me to pause my education and return home. However, I didn’t give up, I pivoted. 

I began working at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—the busiest airport in the world. Although I hadn't started flying, just being in that environment, surrounded by aircraft, pilots, and passengers, fueled my desire to be in the sky. 

Today, I’m training at Faithful Guardian Aviation in Fulton County, Georgia, working toward my Private Pilot License. My ultimate goal is to become an airline pilot, though I remain open to wherever my wings may carry me. 

For me, flying isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. I know the journey ahead may be a bit turbulent, but I’m committed to rising above it with resilience. Along the way, I hope to inspire other young people, especially those of color, to reach for greatness without limitation. Because the sky is not the limit... it is just the beginning.