In Memoriam: Dr. Tammera Holmes

Dr. Tammera Holmes, an aviation industry advocate and philanthropist devoted to promoting STEM career opportunities for diverse communities, died Dec. 1 after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was 46.

Holmes was first introduced to aviation at age 16 when her mother insisted she begin attending Tuskegee Airmen events at Chicago’s Meigs Field. She launched AeroStar Consulting Corporation in 2008 to provide professional leadership training and management consulting services aimed at enhancing academic awareness of aviation and aeronautical career path opportunities.

In 2016, Holmes launched Chicago-based nonprofit AeroStar Avion Institute, which provides opportunities for underrepresented youth and young adults to learn about and pursue aviation industry careers. Focused on female, minority and at-risk youth, the nonprofit has reached more than 16,000 young people by providing curriculum, programs, activities and support systems.

“Tammera devoted her life to establishing a pathway in aviation and broke down doors for young women and young urban children nationwide. From kindergarten to career, she provided students with diverse aviation and STEM opportunities,” AeroStar Avion Institute said in a statement.

AeroStar Avion Institute has been instrumental in bringing aviation education programs to Chicago, including an aviation sheet metalworking course at Olive-Harvey College and the establishment of a local campus of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance.

According to AAR Corp., which worked with Holmes to open career pathways, she was "a leader in the creation of aviation training and education opportunities for youth."

Greg Dellinger, AAR's director of outreach and engagement, adds: "Tammera's knowledge and insight forged together with her passion and kindness inspired multitudes of young people around the world to take to the skies—delivering wonderful results."

During the Institute’s Bessie Coleman 100^th Anniversary Celebration in June 2021, Holmes spoke to Aviation Week Network about the nonprofit’s work and the importance of prioritizing diversity in the industry.

“Aviation is global, and the [workforce] shortages are global. There are persons of color and women around the world who still lack opportunity and access,” she said. “This is not an American problem or a black or white problem. The industry needs talent, and it’s high time that we stop looking for the tall, white male with the aviator shades and leather jacket and start looking for individuals who are highly talented and qualified to be able to deliver the talent to the industry.”

Holmes spoke at Aviation Week Network’s MRO Americas conference earlier this year on a panel about breaking down systemic and financial barriers to aviation careers for underrepresented youth and young adults. During the panel, she told a story about how she was one of only two African American women enrolled in her college’s aviation program of over 200 students.

“A lot of times when I say [that] … the audience claps. That’s not okay; that’s not an accomplishment or achievement that I did,” Holmes said. “Something is really wrong that I’m one of two African American females in four years at a top university aviation program.”

She also spoke at MRO Americas to a group of diverse Chicago-area youth about the potential opportunities a career in the aviation industry can provide. The session took place as part of Aviation Week Network’s partnership with The Diversity Org.

Holmes was part of the FAA’s Youth Access in Aviation Jobs Taskforce, which created a roadmap to encourage students of all ages to pursue studies and careers in aviation and aerospace. She also was a board member of nonprofit Choose Aerospace, which is working to bring aviation maintenance curriculum to high schools across the U.S. as part of efforts to boost the workforce pipeline and provide career opportunities for young people.

Holmes won numerous awards during her career, including a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer service and community engagement, and the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame’s Spirit of Flight Award for her contributions to aviation in Illinois.

Those who wish to honor Holmes’ legacy are invited to donate to AeroStar Avion Institute. Donations will help continue to fund the nonprofit’s work.

A fund has also been established to help support Holmes’ family.