This 12 months’s theme centered on the significance of “Black Resistance” and “Inspiring Change,” spotlighting those that have led the cost in calling out iniquities and whose braveness has reworked our nation’s definitions of freedom and equality.
Organized by the NAVWAR Black Employment Program (BEP), this 12 months’s Black Historical past Month celebration was held as a hybrid occasion, Feb. 15, at NAVWAR Headquarters in San Diego, with greater than 400 staff attending in particular person and greater than 700 attending on-line.
Offering the keynote speech for the occasion was the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, who acknowledged the bravery and distinctive service of Black army and civilian personnel, celebrating the richness and variety of their contributions, and figuring out methods we are able to use our variations for the great of our nation.
“A very powerful factor I can go away you with at this time is to listen to one another, hear one another’s totally different views, irrespective of the colour of 1’s pores and skin, faith or background,” stated Del Toro. “We should attempt to perceive one another in order that we are able to develop collectively as one.”
For example of bravery, Del Toro went on to inform story of Robert Smalls, a talented sailor and statesman born into slavery in South Carolina. Smalls heroically piloted the Accomplice steamer Planter out of the Charleston harbor together with his household, different slaves, and army cargo, turning the ship over to the U.S. Navy. He in the end rose to grow to be captain of the Planter. Smalls continued to sail for the Union and following the Civil Struggle served within the U.S. Home as a consultant from South Carolina.
In honor of Smalls, on Feb. 27, following NAVWAR’s Black Historical past Month occasion, Del Toro introduced that the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser previously named USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) can be renamed USS Robert Smalls (CG 62).
Moved by the story, NAVWAR Commander Rear Adm. Doug Small echoed Del Toro, emphasizing the braveness it takes to face up for what is true and the significance of resisting the established order to strengthen our nation for a greater tomorrow.
Talking nearly from the West Coast was Lt. Cmdr. Frantz Bien-Aime, name signal Apollo, a Naval Aviator from Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, who shared his personal private story of how he obtained to the place he’s at this time, beginning together with his refugee dad and mom’ journey from Haiti to Miami. He acknowledged how the efforts of previous generations of Black People, like that of Robert Smalls, enabled alternatives that will haven’t been accessible to him in any other case.
“By means of the years of my story’s evolution, I’ve come throughout or heard tales about many contributions of Black People, throughout varied disciplines,” stated Apollo. “I realized of the tireless efforts of many People that got here earlier than me, to make sure the rights afforded by our founding paperwork had been equally relevant to everybody within the land. I’m keenly conscious of the various issues I’ve completed thus far, that even one in every of them, wouldn’t have been doable for a lot of half a century in the past.”
Additionally attending nearly from the East Coast was Amanda Patterson-Womble, NIWC Atlantic’s African American/Black Employment Staff chair, who recited an unique poem titled “The Teal Hairbrush,” drawing consideration to the every day battle so many Black women and men have confronted up to now and are nonetheless going through at this time. Right here is an excerpt from her poem:
I purchased my son a teal-colored hairbrush, so if he’s stopped;
When he’s stopped….Once more;
Prayerfully, nobody will shoot my son
Saying his hairbrush was a gun.
I don’t must name him with panic to say,
“Be sure your brush isn’t in your seat, don’t overlook to by no means let your palms meet,”
Preserve them seen, if they need the registration; Don’t Attain!
Come residence Alive, we’ll discuss, we’ll cope with it then.
Don’t pay the value along with your life, for one more man’s sin!”
Along with the Black Historical past Month Celebration, NAVWAR’s BEP has organized numerous occasions centered on honoring the Black group and educating the NAVWAR workforce on African American heritage together with Kwanzaa discussions, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day occasions, and an upcoming Juneteenth celebration, at the moment deliberate for June 14, 2023.
“Coming from humble beginnings to start out my profession within the authorities, I by no means dreamed that I’d get the possibility to, not solely be part of, however lead a gaggle that will produce an occasion as inspirational because the BEP-led Black Historical past Month Celebration occasion,” stated Rona Brownridge, NAVWAR BEP co-chair. “I admire the possibility to assist information the command in enhancing promotional alternatives for all minorities to attain a extra various and equitable work atmosphere for all staff. An occasion this large and profitable might solely have been made doable with the dedication and dedication of the BEP crew. We’ll be wanting ahead to future applications and challenges to push for inclusivity and fairness.”
The NAVWAR BEP will proceed to advertise cultural variety and improvement by means of its celebration of all staff, aiming to counterpoint the lives of civilians, contractors, and the NAVWAR group at massive by means of group service, lecturers, barrier evaluation, and communication.
About NAVWAR:
NAVWAR identifies, develops, delivers, and sustains info warfighting capabilities and providers that allow naval, joint, coalition and different nationwide missions working in warfighting domains from seabed to house and thru our on-line world. NAVWAR consists of greater than 11,000 civilian, energetic obligation and reserve professionals positioned all over the world.
