Guest: Jacqueline E. Brevard, JD/LLM – Pan Am Blackbird, former VP, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer of Merck & Co., Inc. Program Director for The Conference Board, a member of the Adjunct Faculty at New York University, and an Ethisphere 2009 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics. Ms. Brevard is Chair of the Board of the International Business Ethics Institute, a member of the Advisory Board of the Healthcare Group Purchasing Industry Initiative (HGPII), and she has also served on the Board of Directors of the Ethics and Compliance Initiative, where she is Vice Chair Emeritus of the organization.

Episode Description:

In this engaging episode of Sheila N’ Her Fab Friends, host Dr. Sheila E. Nutt sits down with Jacqueline E. Brevard, one of Pan Am’s pioneer stewardesses, breaking new ground in corporate ethics and compliance. Jacqueline discusses her incredible career from stewardess to Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at Merck & Co., Inc., where she established one of the first worldwide ethics programs for a Fortune 500 firm.

Listen as Jacqueline shares her experiences as one of the few Black women guiding the glamorous yet challenging world of Pan American World Airways in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She recounts how her fluency in Spanish, her adaptability, and the Pan Am "mini-fly" program helped her transition from the airline industry to law school and, ultimately, to an influential legal career.

This episode delves into Jacqueline’s groundbreaking work in governance, ethics, and compliance, her international legal accomplishments, and her insights on how her Pan Am experience shaped her leadership journey. It's an inspiring conversation about resilience, ambition, and making history in the skies and beyond.

Tune in for a story that will educate, inspire, and empower listeners to reach for their own dreams, no matter how high.

For more information and exclusive photos of the Blackbirds, visit SENmedia.online!

Guest: Tal Harris – Pan Am Blackbird, Author, Marquette University & Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumnus 

Episode Description: 

Join Dr. Sheila Nutt as she sits down with Tal Harris, one of Pan Am’s pioneering stewards and author of In Flight Entertainment. Originally from Milwaukee, Tal shares his journey from aspiring astronaut to globe-trotting flight attendant, following a serendipitous encounter at Marquette University. 

Discover his experiences as a trailblazer in aviation, including training in Miami, navigating turbulence—literal and figurative—on his early flights, and the cultural exchange of working with a multinational crew. Tal also reflects on the microaggressions he faced, the height of the AIDS crisis, and the camaraderie of the Pan Am family. 

From anecdotes about “lounge lizards” in Rio to being awed by Japan’s grace and the grandeur of Paris’ Intercontinental Hotel, Tal’s stories will inspire and entertain. Listen in as he shares life lessons about seizing opportunities, living without regrets, and cherishing human connections. 

Don’t forget to subscribe and share the Sheila ‘N Her Fab Friends podcast, and grab your copy of Tal’s memoir, In Flight Entertainment, to dive deeper into his remarkable adventures. 

For more information and exclusive photos of the Blackbirds, visit SENmedia.online! 

Guest: Jay Diane Johnson – Former Pan Am and Delta Stewardess, Purser, Eastern Region Recruitment Manager

Episode Overview:

Join Dr. Sheila E. Nutt as she delves into the remarkable life and career of Jay Diane Johnson, a trailblazer who became a Pan Am stewardess in 1968 during a pivotal time in aviation and civil rights history.

In this captivating episode, Jay shares her remarkable story of being the only Black woman in her training class. From growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, to navigating cultural challenges and high-stakes situations like bomb threats and hijackings, Jay's resilience and poise shine through.

Hear about her transformative first trip to Africa, her love for iconic destinations like Paris, and the joys of serving notable passengers, including U.S. presidents' press corps. Jay's career highlights include attending Charles de Gaulle’s funeral, traveling with President Jimmy Carter to Brazil, Nigeria, and Liberia, playing tennis with Ambassador Andrew Young, and helping diversify the airline industry through her groundbreaking recruitment efforts.

Throughout her career, she overcame workplace microaggressions and discrimination with grace, rising to the role of Purser and becoming a symbol of excellence in the skies. She remains a testament to perseverance, innovation, and excellence in aviation.

Tune in to this inspiring conversation and be reminded of the power of perseverance and the beauty of a global perspective.

For more information and exclusive photos of the Black Birds, visit SENmedia.online!

Guest: Ambassador Alice M. Dear, MBA – Pan Am Blackbird, Former U.S. Executive 

Director of the African Development Bank, President of A.M. Dear and Associates, and 

Chair of Directors of Women’s eNews. Current member of the International Planning 

Committee of Global Summit of Women, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Howard University Alumni Club of Greater New York City, and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Episode Overview: 

In this special episode of Sheila N' Her Fab Friends, Dr. Sheila E. Nutt engages in a captivating conversation with the honorable Alice M. Dear, a trailblazing Pan Am Blackbird and Ambassador of the United States who made history in aviation and beyond. She shares her inspiring journey from Gary, Indiana, to the skies as one of Pan Am’s first Black stewardesses, and later to a distinguished career in business and international relations. 

Ambassador Dear reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her life, from her transformative education at Howard University to embracing opportunities that led her to see the world. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of breaking barriers during the golden age of aviation, daring moments in early Boeing 747 flights—such as managing engine fires and turbulent storms over Africa—to her bold transition into banking and becoming the U.S. Executive Director of the African Development Bank under President Clinton, Dear’s life exemplifies resilience, courage, and determination. Her incredible journey provides a unique lens into the intersecting histories of aviation, civil rights, and women’s empowerment. Her story is both a personal triumph and a reflection of broader societal progress, offering invaluable lessons on breaking barriers and embracing new opportunities. 

For more information and exclusive photos of the Black Birds, visit SENmedia.online! 

Guest: Barbara Bowman - Sumter, South Carolina (home of the Honorable Congressman Jim Clyburn) Chairwoman of the Sumter County Democratic Party and Sumter County Community Activist who was a delegate at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Former Pan American World Airways Stewardess.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, Dr. Sheila welcomes back Barbara Bowman, Chairwoman of the Sumter County Democratic Party and former Pan American World Airways stewardess. Barbara shares her journey as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, where she witnessed the historic nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States.

Barbara walks us through her selection process, the hard work and campaigning it took to earn her spot as a delegate, and her passion for community engagement and political activism. She also provides an inside look at the convention, the powerful camaraderie among delegates, and the unforgettable moment when Kamala Harris took the stage to accept her nomination. Barbara’s vivid storytelling brings listeners into the atmosphere, where delegates from across the country united in hope and determination.

Listeners will hear Barbara’s reflections on the significance of the convention and her call to action for everyone to exercise their right to vote. Tune in to experience the convention through Barbara’s eyes, and learn what it takes to be a dedicated community leader and advocate for change.

Follow Barbara for updates and her live videos from the convention.

For more information and exclusive photos of the Black Birds, visit SENmedia.online!

Guest: Barbara Bowman - Sumter, South Carolina (home of the Honorable Congressman Jim Clyburn) Chairwoman of the Sumter County Democratic Party and Sumter County Community Activist who was a delegate at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Former Pan American World Airways Stewardess.

Episode Overview:

In this compelling episode, Dr. Sheila Nutt welcomes Barbara Bowman, a former Pan Am black stewardess who joined the airline in 1972. Hailing from New York, Barbara shares her journey from humble beginnings to a distinguished career at Pan Am and beyond. With a degree in Interior Design from UCLA and a multifaceted professional career in politics, Barbara’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence.

Join us as we continue to uncover the untold stories of trailblazing Pan Am Blackbirds like Barbara Bowman, and don't forget to subscribe to the Sheila N’ Her Fab Friends podcast for more inspiring conversations that celebrate resilience, history, and the power of connection."

For more information and exclusive photos of the Black Birds, please visit SENmedia.online!