All through this month, the Navy joins the nation in celebrating the historical past and tradition of African American and Black Sailors throughout Nationwide Black Historical past Month.
The Navy has been encouraging participation in “heritage celebrations and particular observances,” whereas Sailors and Navy instructions have been requested to make use of this month to acknowledge “the distinctive and distinctive contributions and the distinctive histories and cultures that our African American and Black shipmates convey to our Navy,” a spokesperson mentioned in a press launch.
Black Historical past month originated in 1915, when historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson based the Affiliation for the Examine of Negro Life and Historical past. Woodson, together with the affiliation, initiated the primary “Negro Historical past Week” in February of 1926— and since 1976, each U.S. President has formally designated February Nationwide African American/Black Historical past Month.
“The best energy in our Navy comes not from weapons however from the range of our individuals.” mentioned Rear Adm. Stephen Evans, commander, Naval Service Coaching Command. “Day-after-day, Sailors of various race, gender, faith, concepts, and background work collectively to perform the extraordinary.”
“African American and Black Sailors and civilians are an integral a part of the One Navy Staff. Nineteen p.c of Navy’s enlisted pressure identifies as African American or Black, to incorporate 17 p.c of all senior and grasp chiefs, whereas seven p.c of the officer pressure and 4 p.c of all admirals determine as the identical,” the Navy stories.
“A various workforce positions the Navy to function efficiently across the globe by bringing collectively Sailors and civilians with totally different concepts, experiences, views, capabilities and talent units. Integrating Sailors and civilians from various backgrounds into the pressure permits the Navy to recruit and retain the nation’s prime expertise from a wider pool of expert personnel.”
The Navy reportedly companions with organizations just like the Nationwide Naval Officers Affiliation, the Nationwide Society of Black Engineers, and Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities in help of its African American service members and civilians.
A whole instructional presentation, together with a downloadable instructional poster on African American/Black Historical past month, may be requested from the Protection Equal Alternative Administration Institute (DEOMI) by e mail at deomipa@us.af.mil.
