Each February, the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities of African Americans in U.S. history.
Historian Carter G. Woodson first set out in 1926 to designate a week in February to promote and educate people about Black history and culture. The idea eventually grew in acceptance, and by the late 1960s, Negro History Week had evolved into what is now known as Black History Month.
In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the country's bicentennial. February was chosen primarily because the second week of the month coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was influential in the emancipation of slaves, and Douglass, a former slave, was a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery.
Here at Frontier, we celebrate diversity and inclusion. This year, we are observing Black History Month by featuring employees whose colleagues or supervisors nominated them.
Flight Attendant Sharmy Aldama started at Frontier three years ago.
What do you like about working for Frontier?
My coworkers are the best part by far. I work with some pretty incredible people, and some have even become great friends.
Why is Black History Month important to celebrate?
Black History Month is important to celebrate because African American history is American history. There are so many stories of Black people in this country showing examples of ingenuity, fighting for equality, and showing resiliency in the face of adversity. Those are the very same qualities we value as a nation, yet we aren't familiar with their stories because they're in a marginalized group.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
It evokes pride, but mostly it's a time of education for me. This is because so many resources are shared, from books and in-depth documentaries to YouTube videos. It's an opportunity for me to learn about the history of our nation and our world.
Who is an African American in history whom you admire?
Elizabeth Coleman aka Bessie Coleman. She was the first internationally licensed African American/Native American pilot in the world. She earned her license in 1921 in France. She's a trailblazer and showed that people of color have a place in the industry of aviation.
IT Project Manager III Tiffany Bryant has been at Frontier for almost a year.
What do you like about working for Frontier?
While working at Frontier, I have experienced the dedication of employees to provide quality customer service by constantly discovering new ways to make the customer experience as streamlined and user-friendly as possible. The teams I've worked with have made me feel welcome and have been willing to help me in any way I've needed. Everyone at Frontier is committed to excellence but still manages to find a little time for fun as well. I look forward to meeting new people and continuing to learn new things here at Frontier.
Why is Black History Month important to celebrate?
Black History Month is an annual celebration honored worldwide by people of different races to appreciate the culture and contributions African Americans have made in every aspect of history. Black History Month promotes diversity by showcasing that all people were created to do great things and have accomplished great things throughout history. Understanding and embracing this diversity during Black History Month is another step towards bringing people together to appreciate and celebrate the contributions of all. When we celebrate Black History Month, we educate others on similarities and differences in furtherance of inclusion and acceptance rather than allowing a lack of knowledge and an inability to appreciate others to drive people further apart.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
I look forward to learning new things about Black history, not only during the month of February but throughout the year, that adds to what I've learned about history in school and history books so that I have a well-rounded, diverse view of history that I can share with family and friends with hopes that each one will share it with their friends and family as well.
Who is an African American in history whom you admire?
There are too many African Americans that I admire to list here. I would need volumes to list them all. For instance, I admire those who have made technological innovations and scientific breakthroughs as much as those who fought for the rights of all people and the grandparents denied equal employment and housing opportunities that still found a way to provide for their families. African American heroes and heroines have emerged throughout all aspects of U.S. history and are admired and respected all around the world.
Michael "Chip" Chipman, Aircraft on Ground (AOG) Manager, has worked at Frontier for about seven and a half years.
What do you like about working for Frontier?
Frontier's commitment to inclusion and diversity contributes to establishing zero barriers for opportunities and career advancement. Peers and coworkers are some of the most influential groups of people I've enjoyed working with during my 40-plus years in the workforce. The commonality being the sincere passion and desire to see Frontier succeed during its aggressive growth stage.
Why is Black History Month important to celebrate?
There are so many unknown and neglected accomplishments, achievements, inventions, and contributions of African Americans in every arena throughout American history. Black History Month affords the time to amplify the historical presence of African Americans.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Typical discussions about African American history are centered on racial discrimination and the struggle for civil rights. However, black History Month goes beyond that, detailing and highlighting the numerous African American achievements and contributions to society.
Who is an African American in history whom you admire?
Colin Powell (Former United States Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff). As an Army Veteran, I have always regarded Colin Powell as a role model, demonstrating poise, professionalism, and patriotism. I had the pleasure and honor of meeting him in 1993, during a Georgetown University graduation in Washington, D.C. He was extremely cordial and personable, offering words of encouragement and guidance.
Flight Attendant Rhonda-Gail Paryo has worked at Frontier for five years.
What do you like about working for Frontier?
I enjoy working for Frontier because the company is committed to providing low fares to the general public. It's lovely that our customers have the freedom to discover new places, meet new people, reconnect with loved ones without spending a fortune. That being said, what I cherish the most about my time at Frontier Airlines are all the fantastic crew members I have had the opportunity to work with. I am grateful and consider my colleague's family. This has made my time with the company very rewarding, and I look forward to the next leg of this journey with my Frontier family. Thank you for the kindness you've shown me and continue to show our passengers. YOU ROCK!
Why is Black History Month important to celebrate?
History is the story of who we are, where we come from and can potentially reveal where we are heading. Therefore, it is important to celebrate Black History Month and crucial to truthfully educate our modern society on the past and how we can prevent similar circumstances in the future.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month to me, is a reminder of how far we've come as people. A celebration paying tribute to those who fought for our freedom, a celebration of current Black achievements, and most importantly, I reflect on my contribution to treating all people with love and respect, regardless of race.
Who is an African American in history whom you admire?
As a result of his courage, leadership, and contributions to education, peace, and stability, [former Liberian President] Joseph Jenkins Roberts deserves my admiration.
Cher R. Taylor, PhD has been a Flight Attendant for almost six years.
Why is Black History Month important to celebrate?
Black history is essential in that it explores, informs, and celebrates the accomplishments and achievements - past and present - of Black men and women, and educates the masses on the culture and historical roles that Blacks have been a part of over time. Black history is important because it includes Blacks as a part of American History, not just Black history. Our history gives knowledge, but it also instills a sense of pride in our people, knowing that we were more than chattel enslaved people. It speaks of our accomplishments and shows that we can do anything when we put our minds to it.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
In my opinion, Black history means examining the struggles and triumphs, who (in terms of lineage) Blacks came from, where Blacks came from, what contributions Blacks have made (i.e., scientific studies, educational gains, inventions, medical advancements or improvements, political establishments, etc.), and how Blacks can continue these legacies moving forward. I also believe that Black history means the celebration by Blacks in familiarizing a sense of belonging, inclusion, and creating several "firsts" depicted in their likeness, establishing their prominence in American history. Black history means that all cultures will get a chance to learn and experience a culture that has been buried under negativity so long by tactics of systematic racism and the degradation of beautiful people. We share the opportunity to enlighten the masses on the vast accomplishments of who we indeed are. Black history is merely the history of a beautiful people.
Who is an African American in history whom you admire?
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895). She was the first African American woman to earn an M.D. degree. She earned her medical degree in 1864 from the New England Female Medical College. Her' Book of Medical Discourse' is one of the very first medical publications by an African American. After the Civil War, Dr. Crumpler joined other physicians caring for formerly enslaved people who otherwise had no access to medical care.
Sharon Brown is a Frontier Flight Attendant of seven years based in Chicago.
Frontier is a diverse airline, which I appreciate. The employees of this carrier are what establish this diversity and are a vast array of people from many cultural backgrounds. As a result of these geographical and heretical differences, if embraced, there is room for substantial growth in employee relationships, which passengers can radially see. Employees seen positively foster a sense of harmony even when we all look different. Being different makes me proud to share my heritage with passengers and my comrades. As an African American, I pride myself in who I am and my heritage. That is why I have great enthusiasm for Black history. The history of struggles and accomplishments is the foundation of America through growth and prosperity. The month of February provides a glimpse into our heritage that we as African Americans, celebrate every month of the year. As a child, I was taught, "In order to know where you're going, you must know where you've been." When looked upon, Black history is America's history.
As a Black woman celebrating Black history, I am proud to acknowledge the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority incorporated (which I am a member of). Our sorority was established on the campus of Howard University on Jan. 13, 1913. They had a dream for a nonprofit organization that would give back to the African American community through the sorority. It is still thriving with a membership of over 350,000 members in the United States and abroad (Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, England, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, West Africa, South Africa, and South Korea).
Roschelle Salmon is a Flight Attendant and has been with Frontier for two years.
What do you like about working for Frontier?
I like working for Frontier for two primary reasons; the flexibility of my schedule and the opportunity to work and form bonds with amazing people. No workday is the same, and that makes my job exciting and unpredictable. Equally important is the fact that I feel so blessed to work alongside a team of dedicated Flight Attendants who demonstrate care for both passengers and their crewmates.
Why is Black History Month important to celebrate?
I believe it's important to celebrate Black History Month because Black history is American history. There are so many hidden figures and hidden truths that have laid dormant in the annals of history for decades. These untold stories are indeed all of our stories, and we need to celebrate the triumphs and learn from our mistakes so that we, as a nation, are not doomed to repeat them.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
To me, Black History Month is the space given to hail, highlight and honor the efforts, talents, inventions, and contributions made by many unsung Black heroes. It's an opportunity to educate and share hidden stories while casting a focused spotlight on the strengths of our ancestors and an extraordinary legacy we can be proud of.
Who is an African American in history whom you admire?
As a student of history, it's rather difficult to narrow my list of heroes down to just one. Besides the ubiquitous mentions like, Maya Angelou, Malcom X, and Martin Luther King Jr., all of whom I greatly admire, I have also come to appreciate the legacy of Marcus Garvey. He immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1916 and became a champion for political, cultural, and economic success within the Black community. His passion for and dedication to the advancement of Black people, particularly in America, has influenced many civil rights leaders and left an indelible mark that continues to inspire greatness.
Jaimie Taylor - Corporate Instructor, Airport Customer Service Training
How long have you worked for Frontier?
Affiliated via Business Partner since 2015, Official with F9 since September 2021
What do you like about working for Frontier?
The Frontier Culture had me at hello! Every interaction that I've had with employees of Frontier has always been of mutual respect, approachable, fun-loving, down-to-Earth personalities, and unparalleled work ethic and professionalism. Can it get any better than this? I wanted in! And here I am!
Why is Black History Month important to celebrate?
Black History Month is important to celebrate because it is American history. The very fabric of this country was quilted together by countless ancestors, many of whose lives predicated a future for this country. We would be remiss NOT to recognize the initiations and contributions that black people have had since America's inception. We are WHO we are and WHERE we are because of the many people that came before us. It's impossible to have a present without a past.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
I am grateful for black history recognition on the calendar; however black history is a daily celebration for me! It means that for a moment in time, the entire nation gets to collectively engage in and celebrate American History through the lens of Black accomplishments and challenges. We can use this space to celebrate the past, yes, but to also dialogue and proactively find solutions for historical ails in our country that still permeate through our lives today.
Who is an African American in history whom you admire?
Oh, this is not fair! I can't choose only 1. While I pay homage to the countless Black Americans that came before me. I want to celebrate the figures currently making history and doing the work in the present. Beyonce, Shonda Rhimes, The Obamas, Condoleezza Rice. Did you say only 1? I can go on…! 😉
