Travel division and Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) unveil new scholarship, Travel leaders and partner recognized at AMAC awards ceremony
BUFFALO (Aug. 12, 2024) – Delaware North’s Travel division was well represented last week at the 39th annual Airport Business Diversity Conference hosted in Nashville by the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), the only national not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to promoting the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries.
During the conference, Delaware North also announced the Delaware North Aviation Scholarship Fund (DNASF) in collaboration with the AMAC Foundation. This $50,000 scholarship fund will be distributed over the next five years, providing $10,000 annually through 2028 to scholarship recipients.
The fund aims to support minority students pursuing careers in aviation-related fields, such as engineering, architecture, construction, business management, supply chain management, economics, accounting, communications, computer science, finance and other related disciplines at accredited universities. The exact amount of each scholarship will be determined jointly by the AMAC Foundation and Delaware North.
Eligible candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to their community, actively mentor or tutor the next generation and contribute to diversity and inclusion in their respective environments.
“This initiative is close to our hearts, reflecting our deep commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the aviation industry,” said Sunshine White, senior director of strategic partnerships for Delaware North’s Travel division and board chair of the AMAC Foundation.
“We are thrilled to support and empower the next generation of aviation professionals through this meaningful scholarship fund, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the lives of deserving students.”
White was also recognized with an Advocate of the Year Award at the AMAC Catalyst Awards, hosted on Aug. 6 during the conference. The award recognizes an active AMAC member who serves as a diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) champion for their organization and the broader aviation industry.
Semone Jeffries, CEO of Prince’s Hot Chicken, home of Nashville’s original hot chicken and Delaware North’s newest Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise partner at Nashville airport, was recognized as the Local Small Business Champion. For more than 100 years, Prince’s Chicken has been owned and operated by the Jeffries family, who are deeply rooted in Nashville’s civic engagement, culinary and entrepreneurial communities.
Main image caption: Delaware North this month announced the Delaware North Aviation Scholarship Fund (DNASF) in collaboration with the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Foundation during the 39th annual Airport Business Diversity Conference hosted in Nashville. Pictured during the announcement (left to right) are Terry Mahlum, regional vice president of Travel; Max McClelland senior manager of brands and concept development for Travel; Liz Grzechowiak, senior director of brands and concept development for Travel; Sunshine White, senior director of strategic partnerships for Travel; Chris Chila, vice president of operations for Travel; Desiree Nazario Bucobo, president and CEO of Sweet Mango Hospitality, a joint-venture partner at Orlando International Airport; Deb Ward, managing director of business development for Delaware North; Edgar Chase, president and CEO of Chase Hospitality, a joint-venture partner at the New Orleans, Nashville and Boston airports; and Andy Altomare, vice president operations for Travel.