‘It’s UATL’ pod: Flying high with one of Delta’s first Black flight attendants

The hosts of “It’s UATL” commemorate March as Women’s History Month with an Atlanta legend and one of Delta Air Lines’ first Black flight attendants.

Phenola Culbreath, an Old Fourth Ward native, became a flight attendant in 1966 when she was just 19 years old. Initially inspired to go into the performing arts, Culbreath met one of Delta’s first Black ticketing agents, who helped open the door to the opportunity.

At the time, people were leery of getting on airplanes. Even Culbreath had never taken a flight before her first assignment.

“It was just wonderful. I remember the first time,” Culbreath said. “It was so exciting. So exhilarating. I fell in love with it — the first takeoff.”

Culbreath discusses flying high while adhering to strict rules in the midst of segregation.

This week’s episode

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (cente right) goes up for a basket against the Indiana Fever in September 2024. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Also in this week’s episode, the hosts discuss the seven-year collective bargaining agreement made between WNBA players and their union.

Our hosts also pay homage to “Showtime at the Apollo” co-host Kiki Shepard. The icon, who passed away March 16, paved the way for Black women everywhere — from television to fashion. She remains a personality staple within Black entertainment.

The hosts also get us prepared for the vast fundraiser that is HBCU Aware Fest. The event raises money for historically Black colleges and universities with a massive concert, comedy show and multiple education panels at locations around Atlanta.

Related reads from UATL and AJC

Follow the stories that inspired this week’s episode.

• As Delta’s first Black flight attendants, they were ready for social change
• Magic City shown support at Atlanta Hawks game despite NBA cancellation
• Are the Dream Atlanta’s best sports franchise? They could be.
• HBCU AwareFest brings star power to Atlanta

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Roll credits

“It’s UATL” comes from DeAsia Paige, Nedra Rhone, Najja Parker, Isabelle Kerby-McGowan, Cara Shillenn, Gavin Godfrey, Shane Beckler, Ron Williams, Matt Gannon, Kishuna Joseph, Keith Lovely Jr., Megan Nadolski, Samantha Stamler and Janel Davis.