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- Aviation perspective of 9/11 from the runway, an event that reshaped Captain Nia Gilliam's career and identity.
- Breaking barriers as one of fewer than 200 Black women pilots, confronting industry racism and gender exclusion.
- Inspiration from aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman emphasizes mentorship, legacy, and widening representation in flight.
- Motherhood, including being the airline's first pregnant pilot and facing postpartum depression, complicates high-performance career demands.
- Reinvention after trauma: stepping away from flying, redefining purpose and navigating professional disruption.
As one of Storehouse Voices’ inaugural Woman & Words releases, Cleared for Takeoff (out August 4 from Storehouse Voices) is the powerful memoir of Captain Nia Gilliam, a Black woman pilot who witnessed the World Trade Center attacks from the co-pilot’s seat on the runway at Newark Airport on 9/11, offering a rare firsthand perspective on one of the most defining moments in recent American history.Captain Gilliam’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and identity, as it follows her path from childhood dreams inspired by aviation pioneers to breaking barriers in a predominantly white, male industry, while confronting some of the most defining moments of her life.
The memoir moves between Captain Gilliam’s experience on the morning of 9/11, when she was cleared for takeoff as smoke rose from the Twin Towers, and the story of how she became one of less than 200 Black women pilots in the U.S. From an early fascination with space and flight, to discovering Black aviation trailblazer Bessie Coleman, Captain Gilliam’s passion for aviation is rooted in a lifelong pursuit of the skies and strengthened through mentorship and perseverance.
That fateful day on 9/11 profoundly alters Captain Gilliam’s life and ultimately leads her to step away from aviation in the aftermath. Through it all she manages additional challenges that reshape her identity and career, including becoming the first pregnant pilot at her airline, experiencing postpartum depression, and facing a career transition that forces her to redefine her relationship with flying and purpose.
Key themes include:
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A firsthand aviation perspective on 9/11
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Breaking barriers as a Black woman in commercial aviation
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The legacy of Black aviation pioneers and mentorship
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Motherhood, identity, and mental health in high-performance careers
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Reinvention after trauma and professional disruption
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The pursuit of purpose when a lifelong dream evolves
Woman and Words is a pioneering publishing collaboration between Penguin Random House and Storehouse in a Box that led to the creation of Storehouse Voices, an imprint established to champion underserved creators. Through the program, aspiring authors, Penguin Random House personnel, and agents are brought together for networking and speed-dating sessions focused on demystifying publishing and providing a dedicated space for diverse narratives.
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