On Tuesday, they were honored during Black History Month.
It was a big day for Roman Carprue. He's now a licensed aviation mechanic.
The 22-year-old is one of several Chicago-area students at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance who received their certification as the aviation maintenance school celebrated Black History Month by acknowledging the legacy of the Chicago "DODO" Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Sheila Webber's father was one of the original flyers of color.
"To see what all these young men and women are doing now, it is such a tribute to them," Webber said.
For another year, the Southwest Side school sponsored the event that looks to highlight and elevate the Black aviators who made up the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.
Senior instructor Victor Croswell came up with the idea for the celebration.
"We'll have plenty of students coming in from all different backgrounds: minorities, women and all that. Because as you see, this is the gem that we have right here in our backyard," Croswell said.
Living Word Church Pastor Bill Winston, a former fighter jet pilot who flew combat missions during the Vietnam War, served as keynote speaker and was also an award recipient.
The program not only sought to celebrate the city's rich aviation history, but support the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.
"We have to work harder, and we just have to show up and show the world just how discipline and motivated we are," aviation mechanic graduate Jaime Diaz said.
Around 9% of aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the U.S. are African American, but even fewer are Black and female.
Instructor Tiffani Coleman, a licensed aviation mechanic herself, hopes to change that.
"We need true representation. This particular school is the only place in aviation where you will see a multicultural environment," Coleman said.
Since opening five years ago, AIM Chicago has provided hands-on training to hundreds of graduates in hopes of encouraging a diverse workforce.
The celebrations and acknowledgment will continue throughout the year in hopes of being able to honor even more people next year.