Following an exclusive interview with Top Gun: Maverick cast members Jay Ellis and Tarzan Davis, Watch The Yard (WTY), the Black Greekdom’s digital Yardshow, announced their partnership with Paramount Pictures to cover the “Pilot Flight Simulation Training” for Hampton University‘s (HU) aviation students until the class of 2026.
“So proud of this one,” Jonathan Rabb shared on his Instagram account. “Watch The Yard just covered the cost for all of Hampton University’s aviation students to take their required pilot flight simulation training! (It’s mad expensive and they have to do it to graduate.).”
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In a post from the official Instagram account of Watch The Yard, they revealed that the gift came from a partnership with Paramount Pictures. WTY notes that the training is required for the students to graduate and it would make their lives much more manageable.
“Did you know that Hampton University has a highly-esteemed aviation program? Paramount Pictures, in partnership with Watch The Yard, just covered the cost for all of Hampton University’s aviation students to take their required pilot flight simulation training,” Ciara White-Sparks, an HU broadcasting major, said. “This training is required for students to graduate, so we thought we would make life easier on Hampton’s future pilots by covering the cost with vouchers to Prevailance Aerospace and Rick’s Aviation.
“And it’s not just for this year’s students; we’re covering all of HU aviation students up to the graduating class of 2026,” she added.
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Hampton University became Delta Air Lines’ first HBCU Propel College earlier this year. First Officer Monique Grayson expressed her emotions about adding Hampton University as a Propel partner to Delta Air Lines.
“Adding Hampton University as a Delta Air Lines Propel partner evokes a myriad of thoughts and emotions,” First officer Grayson said. “Delta says connecting the world requires that we first respect the world through seeking diversity, promoting inclusion, creating equity and driving accountability toward these goals. Considering the history of HBCU’s and that of Delta, I am proud to see the company doing just that. I am grateful to the individuals who have worked behind the scenes to provide opportunities to a group that has been underrepresented in this field for far too long.”
Hampton University’s alliance with Delta fits Delta’s broader goal of re-imagining its recruitment strategy, including strengthening relationships with historically Black colleges and universities.
Congratulations to Hampton University’s Aviation students!
