NASHVILLE, Tenn. Twelve scholars at the Dr. Katherine Y. Brown Leadership Academy, a Nashville-based youth leadership and workforce-development program, explored aviation and emerging technology this summer through the academy’s inaugural Drone Team.
Led by KYB Leader Robert D. Brown, who holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, commonly referred to as a commercial drone license, the Drone Team provided scholars with hands-on learning in drone operations, safety, FAA regulations, teamwork, and problem-solving. Before the program, 10 of the 12 participants reported having no previous drone experience. After participating, 100% indicated that they would consider continuing their drone education.
Drone Team members are Robert D. Brown, Drone Team President; San Mina Emad; Andrew Callaway; Amari Fletcher; Jeremiah Gude; Jaylen Hodge; Santana Lacy; Grace Lockhart; Amanuel Mengiste; Jacari Mitchell; Siddig Osman; and Christopher Simmons.
“Drone technology connects to many more careers than most young people realize,” Robert D. Brown said. “I wanted the KYB Leaders to see that learning a new skill can be the beginning of a path into aviation, technology, photography, public safety, or another STEM field.”
Professional applications for drone technology extend far beyond recreational flying. Unmanned aircraft systems are used in aviation, aerospace engineering, geographic information systems, surveying, precision agriculture, emergency management, public safety, photography, filmmaking, computer science, and other growing industries. Two participants also completed a commercial drone course during the KYB summer program.
“Our youth can learn a skill in the summer and launch a new career path,” said Dr. Katherine Y. Brown, founder of the KYB Leadership Academy.
By introducing scholars to these applications, KYB is helping them connect a summer learning experience with college preparation, professional credentials, entrepreneurship, and high-demand career opportunities. Participants also developed transferable skills in technical literacy, safety, communication, teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving.
The scholars’ aviation exposure extended beyond drone operations. Approximately 13 KYB scholars visited Nashville International Airport, where they learned about airport operations, communications, safety, tourism, and aviation careers.
The Drone Team added a new dimension to an academy that has spent the past decade preparing young people to lead and serve. KYB Leadership Academy began in 2016 with seven KYB Leaders known as the “Significant Seven.” Since its inception, the academy has completed 44 cohorts and served nearly 500 scholars and program participants.
KYB offers a rigorous, competency-based leadership program. Scholars must demonstrate proficiency in four leadership modules and four core areas: health, leadership, government, and finance. They must also complete seven community-service projects.
Through KYB’s experiential service-learning model, scholars move beyond classroom instruction by identifying community needs, establishing measurable goals, and designing, implementing, and evaluating service initiatives. This approach allows scholars to apply what they have learned while developing transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, teamwork, project management, data collection, decision-making, and problem-solving.
During the seven-week 2026 summer program, scholars exceeded the seven-project requirement by completing 10 community-service projects. Their work addressed pulmonary hypertension awareness, mental health, literacy, self-confidence, community gardening, caregiver recognition, grief and loss, environmental responsibility, career exploration, and support for hospitalized children.
Highlights included the RBW Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Walk at Hadley Park; an I Am Amazing youth literacy and leadership session designed to strengthen self-esteem and self-confidence; and Roberta’s Garden, which introduced scholars to healthy eating, agriculture, growing food, and the value of community gardens.
The Drone Team was one of several distinct enrichment and career-exploration pathways offered during the summer. A separate Data Analysis Team collected and analyzed program information, researched prospective community partners, evaluated outcomes, and helped produce the academy’s end-of-summer report. Scholars also developed leadership and transferable skills through photography, scriptwriting, choir, step, poetry, and spoken word.
KYB’s educational reach also extends internationally. During its first decade, the academy provided international study and leadership experiences in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, North America; Medellín, Colombia, South America; Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa; Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Asia; San José, Costa Rica, Central America; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, Caribbean; Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean; and Athens, Greece, Europe. These experiences expanded scholars’ cultural awareness and strengthened their capacity for global leadership.
On July 16, 2026 KYB Leadership Academy’s 2026 Scholar Recognition Ceremony was held at the Nashville City Club. The event celebrated the academy’s 10th anniversary and recognized 45 graduates of the program: two collegiate scholars from Cohort 43 and forty-three scholars from Cohort 44.
The KYB Leadership Academy is sponsored by the Roberta Baines-Wheeler Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of pulmonary hypertension while building healthier communities. KYB scholars advance that mission by incorporating pulmonary hypertension education, advocacy, wellness, and community health into their leadership and service activities.
“We hope to expand the Drone Team and continue creating new ways for scholars to discover their abilities,” Dr. Katherine Y. Brown said. “The possibilities for what young people can accomplish are endless. The world continues to innovate, and we must expand the scope of what they believe is possible.”
As KYB Leadership Academy begins its next decade, the academy plans to expand its aviation, technology, workforce-development, mentorship, and career-exploration opportunities while continuing its commitment to global leadership, pulmonary hypertension awareness, and community service.
