Cleared for Takeoff

In this inspiring memoir, a Black woman pilot leading the way for others shares her journey of fulfilling a lifelong dream to fly—and how she rediscovered her passion in the face of tragedy and adversity.

Captain Nia Gilliam woke up on September 11 ready to soar. Having dreamt of the skies since she was a child, Gilliam grew up believing nothing was out of reach. But what starts as a beautiful day to fly turns into a harrowing experience. While waiting to be cleared for takeoff, Gilliam sees smoke pouring from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. From the co-pilot’s seat, she witnesses United Airlines Flight 175 crash into the South Tower. As the Twin Towers burn, Gilliam summons up the resolve to fly. But as soon as she lands, Gilliam and her dedication to the skies are forever shaken.

Cleared for Takeoff recounts the unforgettable day Gilliam escapes from the chaos of what she witnessed alongside a coming-of-age story of a young woman whose dreams were nurtured. Through it all, Gilliam honors Black aviators such as Bessie Coleman, Janet Harmon Bragg, and the Tuskegee Airmen, who paved the way for her and other pilots. These heroes instilled the confidence in Gilliam to secure a seat where few Black women had a place set for them. Yet as her career reaches new heights, navigating the aftermath of a national tragedy changes air travel forever. And when Gilliam receives shocking personal news, she must reconcile who she is beyond the dream she’s worked so hard for. From her first flight to that fateful day, Captain Nia Gilliam’s journey demonstrates how sacrifice, determination, and love helped her find her way back into the pilot’s seat.

Cleared for Takeoff is Gilliam’s triumphant story of courage, the redemptive power of turning tragedy into purpose, and one woman’s unwavering faith in herself.