Giving Back — The Billy Jetson Project

American airlines

contributions:
|| campaign design || fundraising || marketing || videography

Cali, Colombia

latin diversity network

“We Can Be Heroes” Campaign

For this adventure, I partnered with Latin Diversity Network and CNN Hero of the Year, Jeison Aristizabal, to paint Jeison’s foundation in Colombia. We also donated games, shoes, books, school supplies and funded lunch for the day. Meeting Jeison and his mother were very powerful experiences for me.

Jeison was a real life superhero and continues to serve his community despite being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. When speaking with his mother, I learned that she had always engrained a sense of responsibility in him that he could and should help others even in times when he himself needed help. I was extremely moved by this sense of compassion and have taken it with me into every endeavor I am part of.

American Airlines

contributions:
|| videography || marketing

It’s Cool To Fly American 2019

Abilities | Employee business resource group

For this adventure, I partnered with the Abilities EBRG to film their spectacular event where we chauffeur kids with autism through the airport experience. My favorite part of the event is reliving the magic of flight through the eyes of the kids as they look out that plane window for the first time.

"It’s Cool to Fly: American Airlines program helps kids with autism soar to new heights"

from newsroom

To many flyers, the airport experience is a routine part of life. Check-in, security, gate areas and jet bridges are features of a second home. Customers buckle in, the plane pushes back and with a nudge of the throttles, two engines begin to roar. The plane taxis down the ramp and onto the active taxiway in preparation for takeoff.

With each of those experiences comes sensory inputs that we might take for granted — sights and sounds like crowds, intercom announcements, lights, screens, safety demonstrations and more. But to a child with autism, and to that child’s family, any of these things can instantly create fear, anxiety or discomfort and become a challenge that, in the moment, feels insurmountable.

For the last five years, American Airlines team members across the country have partnered with local organizations and airport colleagues to make the process less of a mystery, helping these children and their families know what to expect from their air travel experience and bringing greater inclusion, awareness and understanding to those on the autism spectrum. And they’ve had one unified message: It’s Cool to Fly American (ICTFA).

ICTFA is essentially a mock travel experience. Kids and their families concerned about the hustle and bustle of air travel are able to experience nearly every aspect of it without actually taking off. They park, check-in, wait at the gate, board, taxi, return to the gate and retrieve their luggage. The experience lasts about 3 1/2 hours.

Since its inception in 2014, ICTFA has served more than 5,000 participants and 1,500 families.

American airlines

contributions:
|| campaign design || fundraising || creative direction || t-shirt design || marketing || videography

Mission Trip | Guatemala

department of diversity & inclusion

During this project, we learned much about healthcare in other countries and the lack of treatment centers. People traveled far distances from neighboring areas to get treatment in Guatemala.

In September 2017, we launched a campaign dedicated to the service of others. The FARES Organization in Guatemala provides shelter for children going through cancer treatment.

At American Airlines, we held several fundraising events where we collected hundreds of blankets, pillows and toiletries. Additionally, we raised several thousands of dollars through a golf tournament.

This trip was an eye-opening experience for everyone involved. We left with our hearts filled with compassion for our new friends.

American Airlines

contributions:
|| campaign design || t-shirt design || marketing

MLK Parade | Dallas

African american diversity network

The MLK Parade was a pleasure to work on. Martin Luther King Jr was a big hero of mine growing up. So I jumped at the chance to collaborate with the AADN group on one of the biggest celebrations in the history of civil rights and human dignity. Working through the process, I felt some of the history falling back. The movement that I supported was different than I expected. People involved in the project didn't directly see how an Asian man could identify with Martin Luther King, Jr. Isn't that such a part of life? How many times has a scenario worked out in favor of your expectations? I know my count is low in that department. But what I do know, is that we must let go of expectations. Bruce Lee once said, "I'm not here to live up to your expectations, and you're not here to live up to mine." In the end, we found our common ground, rolled our sleeves up and got to work.

"We Have A Dream"

The refresh of an iconic statement.

A joint ownership from the past and the present for the future. A declaration of accountability. The change we seek is within us. Our lives are determined by the actions we take.

It's clear. It's disgustingly clear. It's brutally clear...that what MLK stood for and fought against is not over. Our dismal state of politics has given us a call to action. The torch is being passed to the next generation of freedom fighters. Do you choose to stand with us? Do you choose to march with us?

Make a choice. Make a stand.

American Airlines

contributions:
|| videography || marketing

It's Cool To Fly American

Abilities | employee business resource group

Twice a year, American Airlines hosts It’s Cool to Fly AA at Chicago O'Hare Airport. The event aims to brighten the smiles of young people with autism. And it’s no ordinary event — it’s a full mock airport experience, where participants check in, maneuver through security, board the plane and taxi around the airport.

“Events like this truly make a difference in the lives of individuals like my son and make both the parents and child feel both hope and happiness.”

— TRACY HELLNER, MOTHER OF PARTICIPANT

The role playing and realistic airport interactions help their kids grow accustomed to the experience of flight. The children leave the event with smiles on their faces as they become familiar by repetition — for some, it’s their third or fourth time to attend.

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