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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      A group photo of Airmen in front of a C-17 aircraft during this year’s Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2024.A group of 36 U.S. Airmen from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., attends this year’s Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Feb. 16, 2024. The weekend included discussions with accomplished Airmen, such as retired Maj. Theresa M. Claiborne, the first African American woman to become an Air Force pilot, Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, retired Lt. Eugene Richardson, Jr., a Tuskegee Airman, and retired Gen. Lloyd Newton, former Air Education and Training Command commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant)
                
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        Four people clap on stage with a crowd of others in the audience during the Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2024.Capt. Nic Young, Accelerating the Legacy founder, retired Gen. Lloyd Newton, former Air Education and Training Command commander, Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, and retired Lt. Eugene Richardson, Jr., a Tuskegee Airman, participate in the Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Feb. 16, 2024. Accelerating the Legacy is an aviation heritage event that honors the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy, offers professional development opportunities, and aims to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant)
                
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Accelerating the Legacy 2024Published Feb. 27, 2024
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Carl Good
                    
                    
                    628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
            **JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. (AFNS) --**Airmen from across the nation convened for a two-day **Black History Month** aviation heritage event held in Charleston, Feb. 16-17.Man gives speech.Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, speaks with the audience during the 2024 Accelerating the Legacy banquet in Charleston, S.C., Feb. 17, 2024. The event provided Airmen the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders and mentors and gain valuable career insight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Carl Good)
            
            
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Hosted by **Joint Base Charleston** personnel, the fourth annual Accelerating the Legacy event honored the esteemed legacy of the **Tuskegee Airmen** by cultivating today’s aviators and empowering the next generation of Airmen. 
 
On the first day of the event, Airmen gathered for various panel discussions and professional development seminars. The event featured retired Lt. Col. Theresa Claiborne, who spoke on her trailblazing career to becoming the first female, African American pilot in the Air Force.Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Theresa M. Claiborne, the first African American woman to become an Air Force pilot, speaks into a microphone during the Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2024.Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Theresa M. Claiborne, the first African American woman to become an Air Force pilot, speaks during the Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2024. Accelerating the Legacy is an aviation heritage event that honors the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy, offers professional development opportunities, and aims to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant)
            
            
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During the event’s culminating banquet, keynote speaker **Lt. Gen. Richard Clark**, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, highlighted the Tuskegee Airmen, their resilience in the face of discrimination and their valor, serving their country with unwavering dignity, courage and determination. 
 
"Stay focused on your purpose, regardless of the negativity or mistreatment from others, and let the resilience of the Tuskegee Airmen inspire you," Clark said.Tuskegee Airman speaks into a microphone during the Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2024.Retired Lt. Eugene Richardson, Jr., a Tuskegee Airman, speaks during the Accelerating the Legacy event at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Feb. 16, 2024. Accelerating the Legacy is an aviation heritage event that honors the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy, offers professional development opportunities, and aims to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant)
            
            
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**Dr. Eugene Richardson Jr.**, a Documented Original Tuskegee Airman, and retired **Gen. Charles “Fig” Newton**, the first African American Thunderbird pilot, joined each other on stage to participate in a fireside chat. 
 
Newton highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive environment. 
 
“At any level of leadership, it's essential to foster an environment where everyone feels they belong,” Newton said. “Achieving this marks progress in closing the gap.” 
 
This event honors the lasting impact of the Tuskegee Airmen in the Air Force, by celebrating their achievements and ensuring their legacy inspires future generations. 
 
“I'm extremely proud to be a member of the group known as Tuskegee Airmen, who through our actions actually help change our country for the better,” Richardson said.FS 



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