Never Let Go of Your Dreams with Carole Hopson
In this episode, Sylvia and Carole talk about Carole’s journey from corporate careers to commercial pilot, Carole shares the inspiration behind her book A Pair of Wings, Carole talks about her non-profit The Jet Black Foundation, and she discusses the importance of representation in aviation.
Carole’s story is one of inspiration, bravery, chasing dreams, and taking risks. Before becoming a pilot, Carole spent decades working in various corporate careers from journalist to an executive-level employee in human resources. Carole stepped away from her corporate career to pursue her dream of flying, and it has taken her to places she couldn’t have imagined.
As a child, Carole Hopson spent hours lying on the grass in her grandparents’ backyard watching the planes arrive at Philadelphia International Airport. However, it took decades for Carole to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. Today, Carole flies a Boeing 737 for United Airlines as a First Officer. Black women make up less than one percent of all certified pilots, and Carole is one of them.
Photo credit: Derrick Davis
About Carole Hopson
Carole Hopson flies a Boeing 737 for United Airlines as First Officer. Carole is also the author of the historical fiction novel A Pair of Wings (2021). Before her career as a pilot, Carole was a journalist, writing for publications such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune, and the Bergen Record. In 2021, Carole founded The Jet Black Foundation, a non-profit with the mission to help diversify the aviation industry. The Jet Black Foundation is currently working on the 100 Pairs of Wings project, with the goal to increase the representation of women of color in the aviation industry.
Topics Include
The history of Bessie Coleman’s life
The process behind writing A Pair of Wings
How Carole’s and Bessie Coleman’s stories parallel each other
Career timeline and getting her commercial pilot’s license later in life
What it’s like to be a female African American commercial pilot
Experience gaining confidence as a minority operating a regional jet
Relationship with the public as a minority pilot
Family planning and motherhood
Carole’s philanthropy, Jet Black Foundation, and the 100 Pairs of Wings Initiative
Resources Mentioned
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead:
Books Mentioned
A Pair of Wings: A Novel Inspired by Pioneer Aviatrix Bessie Coleman by Carole Hopson
Sisters in Arms: A Novel of the Daring Black Women Who Served During World War II by Kaia Alderson
Ladysitting: My Year with Nana at the End of Her Century by Lorene Cary
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Connect with Carole
Instagram: @carole.hopson
