Ouloassia Jennifer Yhaye, a 20-year-old Ivorian, has made history as one of Africa’s youngest female airline pilots. Her remarkable journey, marked by determination and excellence, has set her apart in an industry where only 5.2% of pilots in Africa are women.
Jennifer‘s academic journey began at Morning Glory International School (MGIS) in Abidjan. She graduated in 2014 with a baccalaureate in pure mathematics, physics, and instrumentation and control, showcasing her proficiency in French, English, and Spanish. Her passion for aviation led her to South Africa, where she enrolled in 43 Air School (PTY) Ltd., renowned for producing top-tier aviators. After two years of rigorous training, Jennifer earned her commercial pilot diploma in 2016.
Upon turning 20, Jennifer returned to Ivory Coast and secured a position with Air Côte d’Ivoire. Her skills and dedication quickly earned her a role as a first officer on the DASH 8-Q400 aircraft at Asky Airlines. She further expanded her expertise to include flying the ATR 42/72 and B737-800 aircraft. By 2019, she had accumulated over 800 flight hours, a significant milestone for any pilot.
In recognition of her exceptional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to her career, the Ivorian State awarded Jennifer the Excellence Prize for the best contribution to the aviation industry. Her achievements did not stop there; Jennifer is now employed at ASKY Airlines and has recently attained the role of a 737MAX pilot. She is among the first group of pilots to fly the 737MAX aircraft in West Africa.
Jennifer’s journey has not been without its challenges. Reflecting on her achievements, she shared, “I have now spent 2000 hours of my life flying airplanes! Every single hour taught me something valuable, and I am filled with infinite gratitude. The overachiever in me felt like downplaying this moment because if COVID-19 hadn’t kept me on the ground for 16 months, I would have counted way more hours; if I hadn’t fallen sick so many times, I would have crossed that threshold much earlier. But I didn’t let that be a party pooper. I am exactly where I am supposed to be, at this age, with this much or this little experience (depending on who’s reading, haha!), and I look forward to the next 1000 hours for the lessons they will teach me.”
Jennifer initially considered keeping her achievements private, but she soon realized the broader impact her story could have. She hopes that her success will inspire other women, young pilots, black individuals, and dreamers to pursue their goals. “I want others to remember my achievements as a source of motivation, believing that if I can achieve something, they can too,” Jennifer remarked.
Jennifer Yhaye’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of representation in the aviation industry. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many and highlights the significant strides women are making in fields traditionally dominated by men. As Jennifer continues to soar to new heights, she is not only breaking barriers but also paving the way for future generations of aviators.
Her dedication and achievements have not only earned her accolades but also set a new benchmark in the aviation industry. Jennifer Yhaye stands as a beacon of hope and a role model, proving that with hard work, determination, and passion, the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.
Reagan and Ricardo Razon, 17-year-old twins from Raleigh, North Carolina, have achieved an extraordinary academic feat. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, these resilient siblings earned over $1.536 million in merit-based scholarships and received acceptance letters from 15 prestigious colleges and universities.
The twins, students at Enloe Magnet High School, faced the challenges of remote learning and social distancing without letting these obstacles hinder their academic performance. Their dedication and hard work resulted in offers from renowned institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Duke, University of North Carolina (UNC), Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), and Vanderbilt.
In a recent interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Reagan shared, “We were both accepted to Harvard, Yale, MIT, UPenn, Duke, UNC, WashU, and Vanderbilt. There were some schools that we applied to separately as well. Ricardo was accepted into Georgia Tech and received a scholarship from Rice. I was also accepted into Stanford and the University of Southern California.”
Reagan highlighted one of her most significant achievements: receiving the Robertson Scholarship from Duke, which provides a full ride through the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program. Both Reagan and Ricardo were selected as John B. Ervin Scholars at Washington University, which covers full tuition. Read more about our amazing twin siblings here.