Davis Aerospace & Maritime Academy Brochure.pdf - Cleveland.com

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr.
(December 18, 1912 – July 4, 2002)
Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was born in Washington, D.C., in 1912. He graduated from
Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1929, attended Western Reserve University
in Cleveland then went on to be one of the first black cadets at West Point.
Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Early
in 1941, the Roosevelt administration, in response to public pressure for greater black
participation in the military as war approached, ordered the War Department to create
a black flying unit.
The military selected Tuskegee Institute, an African American school originally
founded by Booker T. Washington, to train pilots because of its commitment to aeronautical
training. Tuskegee had the facilities, and engineering and technical instructors, as
well as a climate for year round flying. This training resulted in the formation of an all African-American
pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama. They became known as the
Tuskegee Airmen.
Captain Davis was assigned to the first training class at Tuskegee Army Air Field, and in
March 1942 won his wings as one of five black officers to complete the course. He was
the first black officer to solo an Army Air Corps aircraft. In July that year, having been
promoted to lieutenant colonel, he was named commander of the first all-black air unit, the
99th Pursuit Squadron. The group escorted bombers on air combat missions over Europe. Davis himself flew sixty missions
in P-39, Curtiss P-40, P-47 and P-51 Mustang fighters.
In September 1943, Davis was called back to the United States to take command of the
332nd Fighter Group, a larger all-black unit preparing to go overseas. Colonel Davis and his
332nd Fighter Group arrived in Italy soon after that. The four-squadron group, which was
called the Red Tails for the distinctive markings of its planes, flew many missions deep into
German territory.
After World War II, Davis served at the Pentagon and in overseas posts over the next two
decades rising through the ranks throughout the years. He retired from active military service
on February 1, 1970. On December 9, 1998, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was advanced to
the rank of General, U.S. Air Force (Retired), with President Clinton pinning on his fourstar
insignia. This distinction marked Davis as the first African-American general in the
United States Air Force. Davis followed in
his father's footsteps in breaking racial barriers, as Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.
was the first African-American general in the United States Army.
General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. and the other Tuskegee Airmen's achievements
paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military.
References
http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/tuskegee/intro.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_O._Davis,_Jr.
http://benjaminodavisjr.com/
http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006482
Davis Aerospace and Maritime Academy | INFORMATION PACKET

Dreams of Flight
FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
THE DAVIS AEROSPACE & MARITIME ACADEMY:
Kim Brandenburg
Prince/Izant Company - CEO
5660 Parkwood Circle
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(216) 577-1147
Kb@princeizant.com
Mr. Michael Dolan
Attorney at Law
615 W. Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-787-3344
mdolan@att.net
Dr. Michael Koch
Cleveland Clinic-Euclid Campus
18901 Lake Shore Blvd.
Euclid, OH 44119
(216) 692-7875
kochm@ccf.org
Jon Loufman
Meteorologist – Channel 19CCF
Owner—Atmosphere Adventures
31363 Roberta Drive
Bay Village, Ohio, 44140
(440) 341-8634
jon@atmosphereadventures.com
Peter J. Corrigan
Prestolite - COO
3933 Kings Mill Run
Rocky River, OH 44116
(216) 333-2028
peterjcorrigan@cs.com
Richard Gash
Mansfield Structural - Owner
29560 Lake Road
Bay Village, OH, 44140
(440) 829-7048
skipper@seascoutship41.org
Rev. Dr. Charles P. Lucas, Jr.
Former Director, Cleveland Branch-NAACP
cpl6060@gmail.com
Mr. Frederick D. Middleton, Jr.
Attorney at Law
Frederick Douglas Middleton, Jr., Attn.
815 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-566-8000
flegal31947@sbcglobal.net
Chuck Ripepi
Garland Industries, Inc. - CFO
2800 E. 91st Street
Cleveland, OH 44105
(216) 430-3655
cripepi@garland.com
Davis Aerospace and Maritime Academy | INFORMATION PACKET

VISION STATEMENT
Building upon the powerful legacy of General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. and the Tuskegee Airmen, Davis
Aerospace and Maritime Academy will facilitate interdisciplinary and innovative thinking in a curriculum
fashioned around quality academic and co-curricular programs. The hands-on nature of aerospace and
maritime academics makes learning engaging and fun fostering the connection between experiential
learning and career opportunity. Davis educators will nurture a culture of continuous learning based on
a foundation of critical thinking and life skills.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Davis Aerospace and Maritime Academy is to guide students to become productive
and contributing members of society. The Academy will provide strong academic and co-curricular
programs in a safe and caring environment. Our team shall coordinate the resources of the school and
community so that students respect themselves and others, appreciate the value of diversity and
individual creativity, recognize the problems and opportunities for change, seek a set of moral standards
that allows them to thrive in the world they inherit, and experience the joy of learning as a lifelong
process. The value system that underlies these efforts to accomplish this mission includes these beliefs:
Every child is capable of advanced learning with appropriate instruction and encouragement
Students excel when they can clearly see the connection between learning and opportunity
Learning is enjoyable and fun when a student is learning about something they are excited
about
The secondary education experience is transitional from the primary school experience
Pursuit of knowledge deepens life experience beyond career achievement and financial success
Knowledge seekers learn in different ways
Students need to be taught by their educators that they are smart and have the ability to adapt
There is strength in diversity and respectful collaboration with peers
Development of Life Skills are critical to adaptability, team work, and social development in the
workplace
Successful learning fosters confidence and fruitful career outcomes
Davis Aerospace & Maritime Academy • 1163 E. 40 th , Ste. 204 • Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Davis Aerospace & Maritime
Academy
(Formerly General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Aviation High School)
We the undersigned members of Greater Cleveland’s corporate, aviation, medical and educational community
appreciate and commend the leadership you have shown in efforts to address the education inequities that
impact the opportunities available to our young people.
We wish to offer our services to be a part of your team. We stand ready to provide not only assistance,
but resources as well.
The closing of the Aviation High School in the mid 1990’s saddened many of us. The closing of this school was a
travesty for the children of our community and was symbolic of the turmoil surrounding the Cleveland school
district during that time.
Two longstanding aviation industry professionals from our community have a plan to re-open the Aviation High
School as the Davis Aerospace & Maritime Academy. These professionals, Drew Ferguson and Doug McConnell, have
a vision that fosters collaborations between our safety forces, public health institutions, civic, corporate, and higher
education communities that will deliver direct paths to high- level careers.
By their nature, the Aviation, Aerospace & Maritime industries have a special attraction to young people. The
Davis Aerospace & Maritime Academy (DAMA) is a special place where students will discover their
dreams and realize their futures.
To this end, we have established a task force that will provide unique educational opportunities to the youth
of
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County and facilitate the reopening of the
school.
The response from our local institutions has been very encouraging. Representatives of these institutions
understand that the collaboration we envision will offer the promise and hope we need to provide to the underserved
youth in our community.
We sign this letter as a show of commitment to bring whatever resources we can to the table to make this
project a reality. This is what we have accomplished in a few short weeks:
Formed an educational affiliation with Kent State University, Cleveland State University and Case
Western Reserve
● Established a relationship with University School as a DAMA partner school. University School has
committed professional staff mentoring, curriculum development assistance, fund-raising consultation
and educational supplies including textbooks. University School has a history of success partnering
with urban educational development programs
● In addition to the funds mentioned above the task force has started its own fund-raising program and has
a goal to raise $500,000 by mid-autumn to begin capital improvements. We are in talks with Living Hope
Productions to bring to Cleveland native Layon Gray’s Broadway play “Black Angles Over Tuskegee” for
our first fund-raising event scheduled for November, 2012.
● Co-Sponsored the Young Eagles program at Burke Lakefront Airport where 46 young people
experienced flight for the first time.
We are finalizing negotiations for a Memorandum of Understanding for the school facility with Cleveland’s Department
of Port Control, Director Ricky Smith and Cleveland’s Department of Port Control, Chief of Business Development,
Pat Singleton.
Davis Aerospace & Maritime Academy • 1163 E. 40 th , Ste. 204 • Cleveland, Ohio 44114

The aviation industry is an important part of Ohio’s history and commerce. Currently, the industry ranks
second in employment in the state of Ohio.
This vision is needed now more than ever, for our young people, our community and our
future.
Please join these members of Civic, Corporate and Education Communities that support this
important effort.
Chuck Ripepi, CEO Dr. J. Michael Koch, M.D., Section Head
Garland Industries Regional Cardiology
Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute
Jon Loufman, Meteorologist
WOIO Channel 19 Peter J. Corrigan, COO
Prestolite
Corporation
Joseph Cimperman, Councilman
City of Cleveland Kim Brandenburg, President
Prince/Izant Company
Eva Lukwinski, Secretary
Maple Leaf Properties Ron Fuller, President
Vincent Shemo, VP & Controller
Stainless Works
Polyone Corporation Jay Ross, Retired CEO
Uptime
Corporation
David Centa, Member
Tuskegee Airmen North Coast Chapter Richard Gash, President
D. Roy Ferguson, MD
Mansfield Structural
MetroHealth Systems D. Andrew Ferguson, President
Doug McConnell, President
PHASTAR Corporation
MRK Aviation Fred Middleton, Jr.
Attorney at Law
Reverend Lukas
St. Paul and St. James Church Tony George, President
The George Companies
Kristine George
The George Companies Mike Barth, Commissioner, Retired
Burke Lakefront Airport
Robert Morgan, Instructor & Teacher
Lakeland Community College John Moss, Registered Representative
BOA Merrill Lynch
Karen Moss
Attorney at Law Henry Lukwinski
President, Maple Leaf Properties
Jeff Johnson, Councilman
City of Cleveland Dave Greenspan, County Councilman
Cuyahoga County
Davis Aerospace & Maritime Academy • 1163 E. 40 th , Ste. 204 • Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Honorable Tom Patton, Senator
State of Ohio Steve Murray, Headmaster
University School
Mabel Griar, M. Ed.
Academix Learning Solutions Mike Dolan
Attorney at Law
Susie Dills, Executive Director
International Women’s Air & Space Museum Tanya Dixon
Education Consultant
Radhika Reddy, Founding Partner
Ariel Ventures Deborah McDonald, Retired Police Officer
City of Cleveland
Mathew S. Ferguson, Attorney
Legal Ethics Dr. Catherine F. Safko, DPM
Private Practice
Stan Gromek, M.Ed., CPC
Gromek Resources Andrej Lah, President
Cleveland Catholic Cemeteries Association
Roy Richardson, Original
Tuskegee Airmen
Davis Aerospace & Maritime Academy • 1163 E. 40 th , Ste. 204 • Cleveland, Ohio 44114