Beyond Polo and Jazz, a Baltimore Charity Event Supports Future Aviators

For many young people, becoming a pilot is never considered a realistic career path.

Not because of a lack of ambition, but because they have never met a pilot, stepped inside a cockpit, or been introduced to the aviation industry.

Organizations such as the East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen and the Alpha Phi Alpha Brigadier General Charles McGee Youth STEM Scholarship Program are working to change that through scholarships, mentorship, flight experiences, and educational programs designed to introduce more students to careers in aviation and STEM.

That mission will once again take center stage on June 20th when PoloxJazz returns to Baltimore Peninsula for its 10th annual charity event.

Presented by Duane King Law Offices and produced by Grandiosity Events, the gathering combines polo, live entertainment, and philanthropy in support of programs helping expand access to aviation and STEM education for underrepresented youth.

The effort comes at a time when representation in aviation remains limited. According to data cited by organizers, people of color account for less than three percent of aircraft pilots and flight engineers nationwide.

For the organizations benefiting from this year’s event, the focus is not on the statistic itself. The goal is to expose more students to careers they may never have considered possible.

Since 1996, the East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Youth in Aviation Program has introduced more than 200 students to aviation careers. Some former participants have gone on to become pilots, air traffic controllers, and aircraft maintenance professionals. The organization’s scholarship program has also awarded more than $217,000 to students pursuing educational goals.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Brigadier General Charles McGee Youth STEM Scholarship Program supports students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while continuing the legacy of one of the nation’s most respected Tuskegee Airmen. The program has helped support educational initiatives, including STEM-related learning opportunities and scholarships for students pursuing higher education.

At the center of the event is Grandiosity Events founder Susan Smallwood, who has spent the past decade building PoloxJazz into more than a social gathering. Over the years, the event has served as a platform connecting charitable causes, community leaders, and organizations focused on creating pathways for future generations.

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This year’s event will be hosted by actor Clifton Powell and held at Baltimore Peninsula overlooking the Inner Harbor. Guests will gather for a day of polo, entertainment, networking, and fundraising, but the mission extends beyond the field.

The organizations supported through PoloxJazz are focused on helping young people see aviation and STEM as careers within reach.

As the event marks its tenth year, that goal remains unchanged: creating greater exposure to industries where representation remains limited and helping more students envision a future they may not have previously considered.