Derrick Benjamin Miller was born in Atlanta, Georgia, primarily growing up on the east side of the city. After living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for 3 years, he returned to Atlanta and graduated from Tucker High School. After graduation, Derrick started attending Tuskegee University, where he is currently studying English. In his spare time he practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and roller blades. He is also a part of the Alabama Air National Guard as a tactical aircraft maintainer on the F-16 fighter jet.

     Derrick began flying with the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter 690 in Lawrenceville, GA. There he constructed light and experimental aircraft while taking his first flight lessons at LZU airport. Derrick’s passion for flying came from the spirit of aviation itself, with his mother saying that since he could talk, all he talked about was planes and flying. After graduating from Tuskegee, Derrick will further his aviation career by commissioning into the United States Air Force with the goal of being a C-17 pilot.

     Derrick began flying with the scholarship in August of 2019. The foundation has worked with him through the adversity he has faced during his flight training. They have shown him that as long as you have the work ethic and drive, you can accomplish your goals. A motto that Derrick instills within himself is, “Every day, do something better than you did before.”