Stephanie McCloud
Founder of Take Flight Girls Inc
Take Flight Girls Inc
St. Louis
Riverview Gardens High School
Strayer University, BHA
Community College of the Air Force, Associates in Aviation Resource Management
United Way Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society
OBAP- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
NCNW- National Council of Negro Women
WIA-Women in Aviation
In short, what do you do?
I do a lot, but for short, I have been in the United States Air Force Reserves for the last 13 years. My job is Aviation Resource Manager. I am an author and podcast host. I am a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines and most importantly, I am the founder of a nonprofit organization called Take Flight Girls Inc.
How did the idea for Take Flight Girls come into focus for you?
I realized I was never exposed to aviation growing up and thus I had no interest in it because I never knew it existed. I never learned about it in school or saw anyone around me that worked in it. As years progressed, I started to see that this lack of exposure to aviation in the area I grew up still exists so Take Flight Girls Inc. developed from that.
What’s in store for Take Flight Girls in 2020?
2020 is definitely a year of growth for us. We plan to continue our partnership with Saint Louis University Parks College of Engineering Aviation and Technology with hosting the 2 Part Session Summer Aviation Camp; June 7-12, 2020 and July 5-10, 2020. We will be having a fundraiser at Chipotle on South Grand on June 8, 2020 to support the scholarships for this camp. We have been booked to speak at a few events for other organizations throughout the year. We also will be hosting our annual Girls in Aviation Day on September 25, 2020 at the St. Louis Downtown airport. Lastly we rolled out Take Flight Girls Cares Initiative which will highlight a cause or awareness every month to encourage others to donate to those charity organizations. This initiative supports our philanthropic push.
What experiences in the United States Air Force have helped you in your professional and non-profit pursuits?
A few experiences in the United States Air Force that have helped me in my professional and non-profit pursuits are learning the importance of diversity. The military is made up of many different people from different walks of life and being introduced to them helped broaden my understanding of global impact within a corporation such as Delta Air Lines. Diversity drove me to pursue starting a nonprofit because I saw the lack there was in aviation with women. Also experiences within the Air Force have taught me to become more adaptable which have given me the ability to respond to changes quickly and efficiently, making me more flexible and becoming a better leader.
What makes St. Louis a great travel destination? What destinations are still on your bucket list?
What makes St. Louis a great travel destination is the rich history behind this city. It played a key role in things such as the expansion of the west, civil rights movement, and major musical developments. We have such a rich culture that bread talented people. India is next on my bucket list, I can not wait to visit this beautiful country and experience their culture.
