Cleared for Takeoff - by Nia Gilliam (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this inspiring memoir, a Black woman pilot leading the way for other aviatrixes shares her journey of fulfilling a lifelong dream to fly--and how she rediscovered her passion in the face of tragedy and adversity.

Before being cleared for takeoff, Captain Nia Gilliam witnesses the World Trade Center attacks from the co-pilot's seat on the runway of Newark Airport. Struggling with the harrowing sights unfolding before her, she finds the composure to take off as smoke billows from the Twin Towers. In a moment that changed everything, for her and the world, Gilliam's dedication to the skies is forever shaken and she resolves to never fly again.

Now, Gilliam traces her path to the pilot's seat, from the moment her mother showed her an article of Black aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman to the day she ditched school to pay her respects at the funeral of Janet Harmon Braggs, the first Black woman to earn a commercial pilot's license, where she ultimately met her future mentor. Alongside the grit and determination to work towards her dream, Gilliam captures the challenges, both personal and societal, and triumphs of earning her spot in the pilot's seat. But just as Gilliam's life begins to soar, the aftermath of 9/11 thrusts her into a moment of unforeseen decisions. As she finds the fortitude to stand strong after a national tragedy, she confronts bias as the first pregnant pilot at her airline, fights to overcome postpartum depression, and navigates a career transition that would take her away from the life she'd worked so hard for.

Cleared for Takeoff is a deeply affecting story, tracing Gilliam's roots to navigating a male-dominated industry and illuminating one woman's unwavering faith in herself.

About the Author

Captain Nia Gilliam is an accomplished airline pilot with over twenty-five years of experience. A trailblazer in aviation, she co-founded Sisters of the Skies, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing Black female pilots. Her contributions have earned her numerous prestigious awards and media recognition. And her story has captured the attention of major media such as CBS News, the Essence Disruptors Series, and Marie Claire. A Chicago native now living in Houston, she is a breast cancer survivor, champion for representation in aviation, and proud mother of two.