In celebration of Black History Month, we’re sharing a series of 60-second interviews with employees and leaders from all across Envoy. Up next, we’ll hear from First Officer Anthony Redhead.
What is your Envoy story?
I joined Envoy in March 2020, so nearly 3 years now. Currently, I am working as a First Officer on the E175 based at DFW. I should be upgrading to Captain soon. Day-to-day responsibilities include assisting the Captain with the safe operations of both domestic and international flights.
What’s the significance of Black History Month to you? Do you have any favorite historical figures?
For me, the month highlights significant accomplishments by black people that would have normally gone unnoticed. One of my favorite historical figures is Bessie Coleman. She was the first black female pilot to get her license almost 100 years ago, in 1921. Because she was black, no flight school would train her in the United States so she had to learn French and went to France to study and get her license.
Who in your life has inspired you or is your role model?
My mom inspired me to start flying – I had my first flight before the age of two as my mom mom used to take me back and forth between England and Grenada, then Aruba and Canada. I tried to join the air force when I was 18 to be a fighter pilot but I was told it was not possible since I did not have 20/20 vision. So, I pursued an engineering career for over 20 years. After my mom passed away in 2014, I channeled my grief in to successfully pursuing my private pilot license. After I got my private pilot license, I joined Civil Air Patrol and met three retired Air Force colonels that were former instructors in the US Air Force. Two of them were Captains for major airliners. Those three gentlemen took me under their wings and mentored me, guided me through all the steps and FAA certificates, and steered me towards becoming a commercial airline pilot.
How do you like to celebrate Black culture?
My family is from the Caribbean so the focus is on the key pillars of our culture: Music, dance, food, family and faith.
Tell us one surprising fact about yourself that others may not know.
I used to be an international Latin DJ, playing Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba on the cruise ships.