fp Turks and Caicos

Mentoring program 100 Black Men recently took 21 boys from its Providenciales chapter to Provo Air Center to get a close look at aviation.

Chairman and owner of Provo Air Center Lyndon Gardiner said the children were “brimming with enthusiasm, asking great questions and eager to learn.”

The youth learned key aviation signals and then had the opportunity to put their new knowledge to work by assisting the PAC ramp staff with three planes that arrived in quick succession. In addition to marshaling, they met pilots and passengers, proudly and enthusiastically welcoming the visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands. They also spent some time learning about aircraft maintenance with Air Turks and Caicos Director of Maintenance Andrew Thomas and some of his engineers.

“We urgently need to reclaim our young people,” Gardiner said. “It’s not just the responsibility of teachers and parents — the entire community needs to unite to provide guidance and inspiration, or we will have no leadership in the generations to come.”

Having himself grown up without a father and being raised chiefly by his mother, aunt and older brother, Gardiner said he recognized both the importance and the scarcity of successful male role models for children.

“Had it not been for my late brother Donnie standing over me, supervising my homework and inspiring me to achieve, I very much doubt I would be where I am today,” Gardiner said. “He was a stern taskmaster, but he taught me by example, and I didn’t have to look far to see what self-respect and success looked like.”

Gardiner, who owns five interrelated aviation companies, said he and his staff were delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the youngsters to some of the possibilities for the future open to them, and he hopes to have further opportunities to inspire them to pursue aviation careers.

The 100 Black Men organization was founded in 1963 by black policemen in New York City as a mentoring program for disadvantaged youth. Providing role models and leadership, they strive to encourage and motivate youngsters towards educational achievement and ultimately economic self-sufficiency.

The movement has spread around the world and now has 10,000 members reaching out to 125,000 disadvantaged youths considered at risk because of a lack of mentorship in their homes and communities. The TCI chapter was founded in 2006 by Albert Grant of Grant’s Texaco who also serves as the chapter’s president.

The trip to Provo Air Center was arranged by local pilot Alvardo Seymour, along with Grant, Johnny Gardiner and guidance counselor Shirley Calcano. New to the organization, Seymour encouraged other men of his generation to join him and offer themselves as mentors to the children of the TCI.