Name: Young pilot achieves his dream thanks to mentor who showed him the sky
Uploaded: 2025-11-14T01:32:18.679Z
Duration: 1 min 53 s
Description: In 2019, CBS News met Jerome Stanislaus, a flight instructor who set out to open the skies for aspiring pilots. Now, a 17-year-old student featured in that story is officially taking off. Michelle Miller reports.

In 2019, CBS News met Jerome Stanislaus, a flight instructor who set out to open the skies for aspiring pilots. Now, a 17-year-old student featured in that story is officially taking off. Michelle Miller reports.

New York

Davion Lee, first profiled as a high school senior in 2019, has realized his ambition of becoming a commercial pilot. With the mentorship of Jerome Stanislaus, who is dedicated to encouraging Black youth to pursue aviation, Lee has now secured a position as a first officer with United Airlines. 

Stanislaus, recently honored with a doctorate in aviation leadership, played a significant role in Lee's journey by providing inspiration and support. Their story underscores the importance of representation and mentorship in diversifying the aviation industry.

Young pilot achieves his dream thanks to mentor who showed him the sky

We end tonight with a young man who first caught our attention a few years ago. We showed a lot of promise back then and since then Michelle Miller reports his career has really taken off. We first met high school senior Davion Lee in 2019 chasing his dream. His instructor Jerome Stanislaus was determined to show him and others the sky is for everyone. I actually never saw a pilot that you know that looked like myself. Just four percent of commercial pilots are black so Jerome made it his mission to encourage a career and prove they too belong in the captain's seat. Why do you do it? I really want to be able to make a difference. Now six years later we caught up with Jerome and Davion at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in New York. The last time I was with you we were like what half a mile in the air? Yeah that was my first time behind the controls of an airplane. Things just snowballed from there. After our story first aired a viewer reached out and mentored him through flight school and now I'm gonna start my job at as a first officer with United Airlines. I don't think it's really hit me yet but yeah. An achievement he credits in large part to Jerome. It's very very important to see somebody where you want to be. Jerome too is celebrating. Recently awarded an honorary doctorate in aviation leadership. He's always been like phenomenal. You were the first person he went up with. Yeah I got goosebumps like thinking about that right now. I always had the thought process of I'm going to be the person for other people that I wish that I had in my own life. Mission accomplished. Michelle Miller CBS News New York

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