What Is Tuskegee NEXT?

Tuskegee NEXT is a youth development organization inspired by the extraordinary legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the United States Army Air Corps. During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen overcame discrimination and barriers while demonstrating exceptional skill, courage, discipline and patriotism. Their contributions changed military history and continue to inspire new generations of leaders.

Today, Tuskegee NEXT honors that legacy by helping young people gain access to aviation education, flight training, career exploration, professional mentorship and life-skills development. The organization’s mission is to help youth build the tools, knowledge and confidence needed to pursue meaningful futures in aviation, aerospace, STEM, technology, business and beyond.

For students who may not otherwise have exposure to aviation careers, flight simulators, industry mentors or professional pathways, Tuskegee NEXT provides an important opportunity to explore new possibilities and turn ambition into action.

How Tuskegee NEXT Prepares Future Aviation Leaders

Tuskegee NEXT delivers youth programming through three core pillars: Flight Training, Life Skills Development & Career Pathways. These pillars help cadets gain hands-on aviation experience while developing the confidence, leadership abilities and real-world skills needed for long-term success.

Flight Training & Aviation Education

Tuskegee NEXT gives cadets direct exposure to aviation through classes, flight simulators, flight experiences and opportunities to pursue private pilot and drone certifications. These experiences help students understand the technical, academic and professional possibilities available within aviation and aerospace.

Flight training also helps students develop important skills that extend far beyond the cockpit, including preparation, responsibility, precision, decision-making, communication and confidence under pressure.

Life Skills, Leadership & Mentorship

Through leadership development and mentorship, Tuskegee NEXT helps students build skills that support success in school, careers and everyday life. Cadets gain experience with communication, accountability, teamwork, goal-setting, personal responsibility and professional conduct.

At Sawmill Sports Hub, we see the value of these same skills every day through youth sports, athletic training, camps, clinics and team programs. Whether a young person is learning on a basketball court, soccer field, volleyball court, baseball diamond or in a flight simulator, growth happens when they are given encouragement, guidance and the opportunity to rise to a challenge.

Career Pathways & Professional Exposure

Tuskegee NEXT also provides career exploration through mentorship, corporate site visits, professional development and exposure to career pathways connected to aviation, STEM, technology, aerospace and business. These experiences help students meet professionals, discover potential career paths and better understand the education and preparation needed to pursue ambitious goals.

When students see people who have built successful careers, visit professional settings and ask questions directly, they gain a clearer understanding of what is possible for their own futures.

Celebrating 10 Years of Tuskegee NEXT at the 2025 Red Tail Ball

The 2025 Red Tail Ball, themed “Golden Legacy – Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence,” marked an important milestone for Tuskegee NEXT. The event brought together supporters, educators, community leaders, mentors, families and advocates to celebrate a decade of youth aviation education, leadership development and career opportunity.

The evening honored remarkable individuals whose leadership, innovation and commitment to opportunity continue to create meaningful impact:

• Dr. Mark E. Dean received the Trailblazer Award in recognition of his groundbreaking work as a computer engineer, inventor and technology innovator.
• Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, received the Legacy Award.
• Christian Copeland, a 2025 Tuskegee NEXT cadet, received the Dr. Tammera L. Holmes Award, which fully funded his summer aviation program.

For the Sawmill Sports Hub & Synapse SRT leadership team, the Red Tail Ball was a meaningful reminder of the impact that occurs when a community invests in its young people. Tuskegee NEXT is not only preserving history. It is actively creating opportunities for future pilots, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders.

Why Sawmill Sports Hub Supports Tuskegee NEXT

Sawmill Sports Hub supports Tuskegee NEXT because our missions share an important belief: young people thrive when they are surrounded by opportunity, mentorship, encouragement and meaningful challenges. Our organizations may serve youth through different experiences, but both are focused on helping young people develop confidence, discipline, resilience and a stronger vision for their future.

Located at 17W411 S Frontage Rd. in Willowbrook, Illinois, Sawmill Sports Hub serves athletes, families and community members throughout DuPage County and nearby Chicagoland communities, including Lombard, Downers Grove, Darien, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Woodridge, Clarendon Hills, Westmont, Lisle and Naperville.

Through youth sports programs, adult leagues, athletic training, camps, clinics, tournaments, events and recreation, Sawmill Sports Hub creates welcoming spaces where people can learn, compete, grow and connect. Our community commitment also means supporting organizations that give young people access to new experiences and pathways for success.

Tuskegee NEXT’s work provides exactly that. By combining aviation education, flight training, leadership development, life-skills instruction and career exposure, the organization helps students build foundations for success that can last a lifetime.

Looking Ahead

Sawmill Sports Hub & Synapse SRT are proud to support Tuskegee NEXT as it carries forward the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and helps young people reach new heights. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate its work at the 2025 Red Tail Ball and to stand alongside an organization creating meaningful pathways for the next generation of leaders.

To learn more about Tuskegee NEXT, its aviation education programs, mentorship opportunities and ways to support its mission, visit Tuskegee NEXT.