Lewis Alumni Spotlight: Jaylen Bush '21

Black History Month Alumni Spotlight: Jaylen Bush '21

For Jaylen, Black History Month has always been about celebrating the beauties of Black Excellence. Black Excellence is a mindset, and those we highlight this month had, or have, that mindset, according to Jaylen.

"Through adversities and tragedies spanning from the darkest days of, not only American history but of our world’s history, Black Americans have fought tirelessly to make all peoples question: 'What kind of country, what kind of world, are we going to be?'"

It is Jaylen's hope that we all use this as a time to reflect on ways to, not only celebrate, but also spread beauty and love throughout the world. For him, this is something he is committed to each and every day - especially as he begins his career and paves his own path for excellence.

Growing up, Jaylen took part in after-school programs that were sponsored by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). This connection led him to DuPage Airport where he later became a Tuskegee Next Cadet and now, six years later, is kickstarting his career on the very runway where it all began. Jaylen's inspiring journey has come full circle and he is determined to ignite a change in the world through his work as an as operations specialist.

"I have always been optimistic about where I would end up in my aviation career, but I never dreamed of arriving at the place where my aviation exposure began when I was just 16 years old. The future is bright and I am thrilled to be part of this amazing team!"

Jaylen graduated from Lewis last spring with his Part 107 Commercial UAS certificate, and, by July, became a single engine land private pilot with Tuskegee Next. His flight training recently began shortly after accepting his new role in January. He is responsible for airport operations and security, serving the third busiest airport in Illinois. 

Jaylen was a very active member of the Flyer community. As a scholarship recipient, he was dedicated to his studies in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Information Security/Risk Management programs. He was also involved in Alpha Phi Alpha, a fraternity that has long stood at the forefront of the African American community's fight for civil rights and human dignity. He also served on Student Senate and as an RA for three years.

From first arriving at Lewis through the Bridge to Success Program in 2017, to late nights at the library, visits to the writing center and computer sciences study table, the connections and experiences Jaylen had throughout his journey at Lewis are very important to him. 

"I have so many people to thank for supporting me as I stayed on track to graduate. Dr. Robert Harris, James Williams, and William Riley treated me like family. Mary DeGraw, Joe Falese, and Michael Parker encouraged me to keep going. My RA team and residents helped me establish a genuine home away from home. My classmates stuck with me through the toughest assignments and projects. They, like so many at Lewis, have empowered me to work hard, focus on my future, get involved, and, in turn, opened my eyes to new horizons and possibilities."

Chairman of the Tuskegee Next Foundation, Steven Davis, reminds cadets who go through the Summer Aviation Experience that we each have the moral obligation to repay. According to Jaylen, aviation, at its core, has always been about legacy. So, he sees this moral obligation as a calling to honor the legacy of the original Tuskegee Airmen; to be the best citizen he can be today; and to inspire the next generation of not only young aviators, but all students, to believe in touching the skies, focus on their futures and push the needle of progress forward.

For many years, that has been Jaylen's personal mission and he will continue to live that out through the work he does today.