Cleared for Takeoff comes to Chicago.
On Tuesday, September 8th, join Captain Nia Gilliam at Da Book Joint for an evening of conversation and connection celebrating Cleared for Takeoff: A Pilot’s Memoir of Purpose and Resilience After 9/11.
Long before she became a commercial airline captain, Nia dreamed of taking to the skies, inspired by pioneering Black aviators like Bessie Coleman, Janet Harmon Bragg, and the Tuskegee Airmen. Then, on September 11, 2001, everything changed. While waiting to be cleared for takeoff, she watched United Airlines Flight 175 crash into the South Tower from her cockpit window, a moment that would reshape her relationship with flying, her career, and herself.
She’ll be in conversation with Courtney Gousman, a five-time Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, followed by an audience Q&A and a book signing.
The evening includes:
- An author conversation with Captain Nia Gilliam
- A discussion on Black women in aviation and the pioneers who paved the way
- Personal stories from Nia’s journey as a pilot, mother, and advocate
- An opportunity to connect with the author
- Book signing
- A copy of the book included with every ticket
Event details
📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
🕐 Doors open 6:45 PM · Program 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Da Book Joint, 6900 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60649
🎟️ $32 per ticket
Free parking is available. Seating is limited, and tickets include a copy of the book.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of flying, are fascinated by aviation, or simply need a reminder that it’s never too late to find your way back to yourself, this is an evening you won’t want to miss.