Dr. Milton P. Crenchaw: A Man with Honor, Integrity, and Dignity

      Dr. Milton P. Crenchaw        

                                                                 Photo Credit: Aviate Through Knowledge

by Renarda A. Williams (aka Abari Sankofa)  

Dr. Milton P. Crenchaw, a Tuskegee Airman known as the Father of Black Aviation in Arkansas, went to rest with the ancestors on November 17, 2015. But he left his spirit with those who knew him — along with a longstanding legacy.

More than 60 people attended a Black History celebration, "The Legacy Continues," in the Lafayette Building in downtown Little Rock on Feb. 27. The event celebrated Crenchaw's life as well as the founding of the Milton P. Crenchaw Aviation Training Academy (MPCATA). The event was also a MPCATA fundraiser and a swearing-in ceremony for seven academy cadets, all students from Cloverdale Middle School.

Michele Wright and Reba Wingfield were masters of ceremonies for the program, which got underway with Judge Wendell Griffen delivering powerful opening remarks about Crenchaw and the importance of MPCATA.

Crenchaw's daughter, Dolores Crenchaw Singleton, emphasized that the legacy of her father, as a hero, should never be forgotten. She told of how Crenchaw always valued education, especially as it related to aviation technology.

Terence Bolden, MPCATA's board president, addressed the audience via Skype about the academy's five-year vision, and introduced Cheryl Chew as the organization's new consulting executive director. The program concluded with Wright being presented with the MPCATA President's Award by State Sen. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock).  

My memories

I met Crenchaw a few months after I relocated from Monroe, La., on September 2004. I was engaged to my wife Helaine during that time. Crenchaw spoke at Philander Smith College. After his lecture, I greeted him and introduced myself. "If I knew you were going speak tonight, I would have brought my photo of the Tuskegee Airmen for you to autograph." (I'd received the photo from a press release about the Airmen when I wrote for the Monroe Free Press, one of two black weekly Monroe newspapers and where I was a columnist/reporter from 1989-2001.)

Crenchaw's good-natured reply: "The next time you come to an event like this where I am speaking ... you bet' not forget it, O.K.?"

"Oh, no sir! I will not forget," I told him.

But the next event we both attended, I forgot.

"Young man, where is your photo?" he asked when he saw me.

"Aaaah, I forgot it again!" I replied, chagrined. He shook his head and laughed ... and I laughed with him.

I did have the photo with me when Crenchaw spoke at a showing of the movie Red Tails, the story of the Airmen, at a theater in West Little Rock.

I walked up to him at the meet-and-greet session. "Finally, Mr. Crenchaw, I've got my photo of the Tuskegee Airmen for you to autograph."

He smiled. "It's about time, Mr. Williams ... Ha, ha!"

Afterward, Helaine and I got to know him very well. In 2012, we both had the opportunity to interview him at his home — Helaine for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and I for The Empowerment Initiative and the former Emerald City of the South newspaper in Little Rock. It was after that interview that our relationship grew to the point where he was a father figure to us. Crenchaw shared so much with us about life, always emphasizing the importance of serving God and getting a good education.

He was also comical. One day, I asked him: "Do you still fly?"

"I am not insane," he quipped. There is a difference between being insane and being crazy. [And] I am not crazy [either]!"

I thank God for the time He allowed us to spend with Crenchaw. His influence, I feel, made me wiser and more spiritual. His spirit, just like all the other spirits I know are resting with the ancestors, sometimes elbows me in the ribs whenever I face tough times and become frustrated. His elbows are a little sharper ... so it doesn't take me long to snap out of my funk and say, "I gotta pop!"

Crenchaw as a Tuskegee Airman

Born in Little Rock on Jan. 13, 1919, Crenchaw was the first Arkansan to be successfully trained by the federal government as a civilian licensed pilot. He was documented as an original Tuskegee Airman. He overcame racism and bigotry to serve his country during World War II as a civilian flight instructor. Crenchaw was named Primary Flight Instructor in 1942 at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Ala.

He taught many of the pilots and cadets known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Some notables among them were William T. Mattison, Charles Debow, Daniel "Chappie" James, Lt. Col. Charles "Chuck" Dryden, and fellow Arkansan Woodrow Crockett. Not only did Crenchaw serve at Tuskegee; he also served at Fort Sill in Oklahoma from 1953 to 1954, Camp Rucker (now Fort Rucker in Alabama) from 1954 to 1966, and Fort Stewart in Georgia from 1966 to 1972. While at Camp Rucker, Crenchaw conquered another first. He became the first black flight instructor on these predominately white airbases.

Crenchaw received accolades and recognition from many organizations. Presentations came from such dignitaries as former U.S. Congressman Vic Snyder and former President Bill Clinton. In 1988, Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. On March 27, 2007, he was honored by then-Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe for his historic efforts as a Tuskegee flight instructor and service to his country. Along with all who were a part of the "Tuskegee Experience" (1941-1949), Crenchaw was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007 by then-President George W. Bush.This is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress.

Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame on October 27, 2007. In 2009, he became an original lifetime honorary board member of the Milton Pitts Crenchaw Aviation Training Academy. He received an honorary doctorate from Arkansas Baptist College on May 2013.

Dr. Crenchaw with future aviators Niles and Jordan Stephenson

        Photo Credit: Aviate Through Knowledge          

              

Milton P. Crenchaw Aviation Training Academy: Providing Wings for Dreams

In 2009, a group of notable and dedicated Arkansas, led by Willie Smith, laid out a vision to establish an organization honoring Crenchaw. A 501(c)(3) organization, the Milton P. Crenchaw Aviation Training Academy (MPCATA) has as its mission to provide young people an opportunity to pursue aviation and aerospace careers. Since its inception, MPCATA's leadership has been committed to laying a solid foundation by establishing its strategic plan and securing resources to advance its mission.

As outlined in academy literature:

— MPCATA believes no child should have to forgo their dream to become a professional in the aviation and aerospace industry due to a lack of financial support.

— MPCATA works to identify and mentor students in underserved and disadvantaged communities in order to provide access to educational opportunities related to those particular industries. And today, the legacy continues.

The academy's programs consist of these elements:

Mentoring Cadets

MPCATA mentors and mentees work together to maintain communication, address and fix obvious problems as they as they occur, examine how decisions might affect goals, and have frequent discussions about expectations and progress.

Civilian Cadets

The MPCATA Civilian Cadets are middle and high school students who will become the pipeline for the next generation of aerospace careers. The MPCATA Civilian Cadet participates in programs designed using science, technology, engineering and math-based activities, including components that focus on life skills and community service.

Aviation and Aerospace Programs

In 2016, MPCATA launched its inaugural MPCATA Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academics in order to meet the growing need of developing a pipeline of talented students seeking careers in aviation and aerospace. Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academics are nationally recognized programs delivered in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), military, commercial and other nonprofit organizations. MPCATA programs will continue to build a pipeline of ready talent, leveraging national and local collaborations and partnerships, aligned with educational resources of the Little Rock community and extending throughout the state of Arkansas.

MPCATA ACE Academy students receive academic instruction with emphasis on the practical uses of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills.

Falcon Jet Training Program

MPCATA works to partner with high schools and community groups to spread awareness about the Falcon Jet Training Program. Pulaski Technical College will offer training, free of charge, which may qualify participants for jobs at Dassault Falcon Jet, Little Rock. Applicants for entry-level positions must have a high school diploma or GED. Participants must exhibit strong and consistent lifestyle management skills and be highly motivated to learn. Participants will also be subject to random drug and screen tests.

Upon successful completion of the Pulaski Technical College training program, top-scoring participants will be considered for employment at Dassault Falcon Jet.

Cloverdale Middle School

This mission of Cloverdale Aerospace Technology Conversion Charter Middle School is to use research-based in instructional strategies to provide enrichment opportunities in aerospace science and technology through accelerated achievement and proficiency in literacy, mathematics and science.

Anyone interested in volunteering or contributing to MPCATA can contact the organization via email at info@mpcatayouth.org or call (501) 492-9019 for additional details. To learn more about MPCATA, visit mpcatayouth.org or "like" the academy on Facebook: facebook.com/Milton-P-Crenchaw-Aviation-Training-Academy.