February is Black History Month and there’s a lot of rich culture to highlight right here in Wichita. 

The Kansas Aviation Museum is hosting a free event Thursday at 10 a.m. where Kansans can hear from one of the first Black air traffic control specialists in the area. 

Wichita native Harold Miller was 32 years old when he decided to switch careers from a mail carrier to an air traffic control specialist and he didn’t let anything get in his way. He overcame a lot to be the successful man he is today and his message to the world? You can do it too.

“I set a standard that I didn’t even think about setting, that I didn’t even know I could set,” said Harold Miller, an air traffic control specialist.

Back in 1970, 32-year-old Harold Miller, with a high school education from Wichita East, changed the course of his life, went back to school for 9 weeks, and learned a specialized skill set that takes most people 4 years to learn. He had previously served in the Navy. 

“There was a big push for diversity at that time,” explained Miller. 

Miller became part of the 1-2% of air traffic controllers who were Black at that time, but it wasn’t easy. He overcame so much, struggling to get a job interview, even after passing all the necessary tests. But he always remembered what his parents said to him. 

“Anything worthwhile is not easy to come by,” said Miller. 

He got a job at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport, and nothing bothered Miller – not the high stress of the job, the close quarters he had to work in, the competition, or the standard of dress. 

“I’m not ashamed about me, I’m not ashamed about my color, I’m not ashamed about my education,” said Miller. 

He had the drive, always believing in himself. And that belief truly paid off when he became the first Black person to control airplanes at the Wichita terminal. 

“I was the second Black to be a supervisor in the air traffic position in the central region,” explained Miller.

He was in air traffic control for eight years before being promoted to supervisor. Miller went on train and recruited others, he was an equal employment opportunity counselor, a Department of Transportation investigator, and a husband and father. During his time as an investigator, he investigated the US Coast Guard and the Federal Highway Department.  

“He’s always been like this, I mean always determined and he knew he could do it and he always did,” said Donna Miller, Harold’s wife. 

His wife of 58 years Donna was by his side the whole time, helping him through academy training and supporting every adventure. They have three kids, three grandkids, and six great-grandkids together.  

“Life has been good. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been good,” said Miller. 

He’s become a positive role model for Black excellence, paving the way for others to follow. Miller says that learning about Black history is necessary and empowering.  

“You don’t know what we’ve done, you don’t know what we go through, you don’t know what we have to give if you don’t try to learn about me, and anybody like me and any other race,” said Miller. 

Miller says diversity is incredibly important to the workforce, as it’s how we learn about and respect other perspectives and cultures. 

Despite turning 87 years old next month, Miller says he feels 65 years old, full of life and spirit. 

He also says there’s no such thing as failure, just falling, until you find your true calling. 

Miller had a successful career in air traffic control for more than 20 years, you can learn more about it when he speaks at the Kansas Aviation Museum on Thursday at 10 a.m., it’s a totally free event open to the public.