Hidden Gems: Meet Beth Powell of LADYAV8RBETH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Powell.

Hi Beth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Captain Beth Powell, recalls her mother’s dream for three daughters to have a better life and education, and her dad’s attitude and positive outlook in life.  In the parish of St. Mary, Jamaica, where she was raised, Captain Powell broke that mold with the assistance of her parents. Her first step was completing high school at the age of 16, whilst also taking her first solo flight. She obtained her private pilot license at 17 and her commercial license at 18. By 19, she graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Aeronautics and a Minor in Aviation Safety. At 21, she was hired by American Eagle, eventually becoming the second black Female Captain at American Eagle Airlines on both the ATR42/72 and EMB. In the year 2014, Beth achieved her goal and joined American Airlines as a First Officer on the B737. This move was a joyous achievement for both Powell and her late mother. Her mother inspired her to attain her goals and to dream big. This encouraged her to give back to others who were told their lives would be ordinary and stick to the status quo. In 2015, Powell started a scholarship to mentor children in aviation in honor of her mother. Her message today is “Know what you want, if possible, at a young age. You will discover this based on the activities and subjects that you are passionate about. Dream big and dream loud then set your goal. Your passion will propel you through your journey. And in the end”, the saying is true “you will never feel you worked a day in your life because you are doing what you absolutely love.” Powell understands the purpose of hard work and has graciously reaped the rewards. She stands here today an island girl with nothing, but a dream and has risen to American Airlines First Black Female Pilot Manager and their Third Black Female Captain. She also led American Airlines’ historical all Black Female flight crew on August 8th, 2022.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When Beth first told her parents she wanted to become a pilot, her father coming from a small town in Jamaica asked an innocent but pivotal question:
“Do women fly?”

That moment stuck with her. The question wasn’t meant to discourage, but it revealed the absence of visible representation in aviation, especially for women. It lit a fire in Beth. She began researching, determined to find someone who looked like her in the flight deck. Representation mattered and she knew she had to be a part of it.

Before she knew it, she was in a Cessna 152, rolling down the runway, taking her first steps into a world she had once only imagined. Her father’s question became a turning point not just in her journey, but in her mission to become the representation she once searched for.

Captain Beth Powell’s rise in aviation has been shaped by her resilience in navigating an industry with limited diversity. As a commercial airline captain, she broke barriers in an environment where few Black women had gone before. Carrying the weight of being a “first,” she faced the pressure of performance, visibility, and the responsibility of opening doors for those coming behind her all while lacking a peer network that reflected her own experience.

Her leadership extended beyond the flight deck. Venturing into storytelling, Beth Founded Queen B Productions to honor overlooked legacies like that of Bessie Coleman. With no roadmap and no industry backing, she merged her technical precision as a pilot with the creative demands of authorship and filmmaking. She faced the challenges of content creation, historical research, and ensuring authentic representation head-on, determined to uplift others while staying grounded in truth.

Today, Beth continues to lead not only in aviation but in advocacy and mentorship. Her journey reflects the power of turning obstacles into opportunities—and using leadership as a platform to elevate those whose stories deserve to be told.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Captain Beth Powell leads with purpose through two impactful platforms: LadyAv8rBeth and Queen B Productions, both of which reflect her commitment to representation, storytelling, and community uplift.

Through LadyAv8rBeth, Beth focuses on mentorship, advocacy, and career development within the aviation industry especially for underrepresented communities. As a commercial airline captain, she uses her platform to inspire the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals. She offers career coaching, participates in speaking engagements, and collaborates with schools, youth organizations, and industry leaders to open pathways in aviation. Her work includes everything from personalized mentorship programs to curated experiences designed to empower women and minorities in STEM-related fields.

With Queen B Productions, Beth has expanded her leadership into the world of media and storytelling. The company was founded to produce compelling, educational, and historically rich content that highlights overlooked figures and legacies most notably, the story of Bessie Coleman, the first Black and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Under Beth’s creative direction, Queen B Productions produced the short documentary “Discovering Bessie Coleman” and, launched a book titled “Queen of the Skies” (co-authored with Gigi Coleman, Bessie’s great-niece), and is now developing additional content that blends aviation, culture, and empowerment.

Together, LadyAv8rBeth and Queen B Productions form a bridge between Beth’s aviation expertise and her mission to inspire, educate, and transform. Her work continues to break barriers and expand possibilities both in the skies and on the ground.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor is one of the most valuable steps you can take in shaping your personal and professional journey. A good mentor isn’t just someone who has experience—they’re someone who’s willing to share that experience, guide you through the highs and lows, and challenge you to rise higher than you imagined.

Here’s how I’ve learned to find and build meaningful mentorships throughout my career:

1. Be Clear About What You Need
Start by identifying what kind of guidance you’re looking for. Is it career-specific advice? Leadership development? Emotional support as you navigate new challenges? When you know what you need, it becomes easier to spot someone who can help you grow in that area.

2. Look Within Your Current Circle
Mentors aren’t always found in formal programs. They may already be around you—coworkers, instructors, supervisors, or community leaders. Look for people who inspire you, who carry themselves with integrity, and who have walked a path you hope to walk.

3. Be Proactive, Not Perfect
You don’t have to have it all figured out before reaching out. What matters is your willingness to learn. A simple, respectful message expressing your admiration and interest in learning from someone can go a long way. Let them know why you value their perspective and ask if they’d be open to sharing some of their insights.

4. Don’t Limit Yourself to One Mentor
Throughout my career, I’ve had different mentors for different seasons. Some were professional pilots. Others were creatives, educators, or business leaders. Surround yourself with a village of people who can each offer something different. That diversity will be one of your greatest tools.

5. Be a Good Mentee
Come prepared, ask thoughtful questions, and follow through. A great mentorship is built on mutual respect and shared commitment. Value their time and insight—and when the time comes, pay it forward.

Most importantly, know that mentorship is a relationship built on trust. If you don’t find the right connection right away, don’t be discouraged. Stay open, keep growing, and the right mentors will meet you along your path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ladyav8rbeth.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyav8rbeth/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladyav8rbeth/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyAv8rBeth
• Other: https://www.queenbproduction.com/