Kennesaw-based Brock Foundation training the next generation of Black pilots

Omar Brock, an Atlanta native and pilot, joins “Closer Look” to discuss The Brock Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit he created to teach the next generation of African American pilots. (Courtesy of Omar Brock).

Atlanta native Omar Brock, who once had a fear of heights, has been flying airplanes professionally for five years—but says he would’ve embarked on the career journey a long time ago had he’d seen a pilot that looked like him.

“I grew up around the corner of an airport, and I never knew it was there,” said Brock. “I didn’t take an interest in aviation because, again, I never saw a minority pilot.”

Brock, a guest on Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” further explained that the lack of minority pilots can be linked to a lack of mentorship, exposure, resources, and representation.