ASK Equity Statement
“Airway Science for Kids seeks to bring about equitable, creative environments which meet individual’s needs and capacities to thrive within our communities. By providing equitable aviation and STEAM educational experiences in related environments, we seek to embrace each individual, their family and communities as well as offer a network of human services on a human level ~ Thus, equity is humanity. We are here to eradicate inequitable environments by embracing our need to serve the underserved and disenfranchised communities and individuals.”
– Yolanda Frazier
A Message from Our Board of Directors
Considering the racial environment that we are currently in, both locally and globally, we at ASK are taking this time to remind ourselves why we are here and the importance of the work that we do. We understand that there is injustice and inequality in the world. We also understand that it doesn’t have to be that way, which is why we are even more engaged to stay true to our mission to serve children of color, specifically children of African descent. Our founder, Bob Strickland, and founding board member, Hank Miggins, both lived during a time where they and other Black men were not privileged to fly airplanes and founded ASK to ensure kids, from their community and who looked like them, would not have that same experience based on the color of their skin alone.
Founded in 1992, ASK has been a staple in what was once the heart of the Black community in N/NE Portland. Although the community has gone through changes, we are still committed to Bob’s dreams of ensuring young Black children are introduced to the field of aviation to broaden their horizons. To say Black Lives Matter is an understatement to us. We also believe Black education matters, Black opportunities matter, Black children matter! We understand that our young Black children, and their families, are dealing with two pandemics simultaneously: COVID-19 and systemic racism, which is why we have put measures in place to ensure we are still connected to our children. While we are saddened to see the injustice our kids are dealing with, we are also pleased to know that ASK has been, and continues to be, an ally for not only the lives, but also the educational growth, of Black children.
On behalf of the Board of Directions and Staff at ASK, we thank you for your support.
