Glenn Research Center, Black History Month Program for Center Employees

Black History Month Program

2020 Black History Month Program

Marshall Space Flight Center's Black History Month program with Aquita Wherry

2020 Black History Month Program

Marshall Space Flight Center's Black History Month program with Associate Director Steve Miley welcoming the audience

2020 Black History Month Program

Marshall Space Flight Center's Black History Month program featured the singing of the Oakwood University Aolians.

2020 Black History Month Program

Marshall Space Flight Center's Black History Month program Master of Ceremonies Nicholas Benjamin.

2020 Black History Month Program

Marshall Space Flight Center's Black History Month program featured an address by Dr. Leslie Nelson Pollard, 11th President of Oakwood University.

2020 Black History Month Program

Marshall Space Flight Center's Black History Month program featured a panel discussion including Dr. Quentin T. Ross, 15th President of Alabama State University.

2020 Black History Month Program

Marshall Space Flight Center's Black History Month program featured a panel discussion including Leslie Pollard, President of Oakwood University and Quinton Ross, President of Alabama State University.

2020 Black History Month Program

2011 Black History Month

Victoria Webb (center) discusses African-American history during a Black History Month program for John C. Stennis Space Center employees on Feb. 16. Webb, a 103-year-old native of Pass Christian, was guest speaker for the program, sponsored by the Stennis Diversity Council and the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. She was joined in her presentation by Valli Battle (left), a NAVOCEANO employee at Stennis, and friend Jeanell Barnes. Black History Month was first observed in 1976 and is celebrated each February. The 2011 theme was African-Americans and the Civil War.

Marshall Space Flight Center Black History Month Program

The Black History Month program was presented at Marshall Space Flight Center with guest speaker Lt. General Stayce Harris. General Harris is the Inspector General of the Air Force and she is the first African American female Lieutenant General in the American military. The topic of her presentation was "African Americans in Times of War". The presentation was followed by an ethnic food sampling. General Harris is pictured here with local area Air Force JROTC cadets who attended the program.

Marshall Space Flight Center Black History Month Program

The Black History Month program was presented at Marshall Space Flight Center with guest speaker Lt. General Stayce Harris. General Harris is the Inspector General of the Air Force and she is the first African American female Lieutenant General in the American military. The topic of her presentation was "African Americans in Times of War". The presentation was followed by an ethnic food sampling.

Marshall Space Flight Center Black History Month Program

The Black History Month program was presented at Marshall Space Flight Center with guest speaker Lt. General Stayce Harris. General Harris is the Inspector General of the Air Force and she is the first African American female Lieutenant General in the American military. The topic of her presentation was "African Americans in Times of War". The presentation was followed by an ethnic food sampling.

Marshall Space Flight Center Black History Month Program

The Black History Month program was presented at Marshall Space Flight Center with guest speaker Lt. General Stayce Harris. General Harris is the Inspector General of the Air Force and she is the first African American female Lieutenant General in the American military. The topic of her presentation was "African Americans in Times of War". The presentation was followed by an ethnic food sampling.

Marshall Space Flight Center Black History Month Program

The Black History Month program was presented at Marshall Space Flight Center with guest speaker Lt. General Stayce Harris. General Harris is the Inspector General of the Air Force and she is the first African American female Lieutenant General in the American military. The topic of her presentation was "African Americans in Times of War". The presentation was followed by an ethnic food sampling.

Marshall Space Flight Center Black History Month Program

The Black History Month program was presented at Marshall Space Flight Center with guest speaker Lt. General Stayce Harris. General Harris is the Inspector General of the Air Force and she is the first African American female Lieutenant General in the American military. The topic of her presentation was "African Americans in Times of War". The presentation was followed by an ethnic food sampling.

2019 Black History Month Program

Dr. Shanique Brown, an assistant professor of industrial-organizational psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, delivers the Black History Month keynote address to team members at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Feb. 28. Participants mingled with Brown and Marshall leaders after the speech and a panel discussion on diversity and inclusion, and sampled a variety of ethnic foods. The 2019 commemoration, themed "Migrations From Here to There," was organized by Marshall's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

2019 Black History Month Program

Wayne State University professor Shanique Brown, far right, takes part in a panel discussion on diversity and building strong, inclusive teams. She was joined by, from right, Lewis Wooten, associate program manager for the Space Launch System Program Office at Marshall; moderator Lisa Watson-Morgan, deputy director of Marshall's Engineering Directorate; Rick Burt, director of Marshall's Safety & Mission Assurance Directorate; and Bobby Watkins, director of the Human Exploration Development and Operations Office.

Black History Month Event

A Black History Month celebration was held on Feb. 18, 2020 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” From left are Kim Carter, associate program manager, Exploration Ground Systems; James Jennings, keynote speaker, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director; and Hortense Diggs, director of Communication and Public Engagement.

Black History Month Event

Jakebia Keith, program and contract analyst for the IT Resources Management Office, welcomes NASA and contractor workers to the Black History Month celebration at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

James Jennings, at left, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy Space Center deputy director, was the keynote speaker at the center’s Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020. He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the program’s organizer, the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. At right is Martin Hayes, program analyst with Exploration Ground Systems and BEST chairperson. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Chuck Dovale, deputy director of NASA’s Launch Services Program, attends the Black History Month celebration at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Martin Hayes, program analyst with Exploration Ground Systems and chairperson of the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups, speaks to attendees during a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The program was organized by BEST. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy Space Center deputy director, was keynote speaker at the event.

Black History Month Event

Jakebia Keith, program and contract analyst for the IT Resources Management Office and secretary for the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups, stands during recognition at the Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The program was organized by BEST. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy Space Center deputy director, was keynote speaker at the event.

Black History Month Event

Henrietta Hanner, an administrative assistant in Safety and Mission Assurance, speaks about the theme of this year’s Black History Month celebration at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

NASA and contractor workers attend a Black History Month celebration at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy Space Center deputy director, was the keynote speaker. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, at right, speaks with James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy deputy director, during the center’s Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020. Jennings was the keynote speaker. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy Space Center deputy director, was the keynote speaker at the center’s Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Michael Bell, chief, Knowledge Office, introduces keynote speaker James Jennings during the Black History Month celebration at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. Jennings is the former associate administrator for NASA Institutions and Management and former deputy director of Kennedy. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Hortense Diggs, director of Communication and Public Engagement, stands during the singing of the National Anthem at the Black History Month celebration at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

NASA and contractor workers attend a Black History Month celebration at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy Space Center deputy director, was the keynote speaker. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Yvonne Williams, in front, administrative assistant with Jacobs, sings the National Anthem at the start of the Black History Month celebration at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Kelvin Manning, Kennedy Space Center’s associate director, technical, addresses the audience during a Black History Month celebration at the center on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, at right, greets James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy deputy director, during the center’s Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020. Jennings was the event’s keynote speaker. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

During a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Hortense Diggs, director of Communication and Public Engagement, commemorates the contributions of former NASA employee and mentor Roslyn McKinney. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Burt Summerfield, associate director, management, attends the Black History Month celebration at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and former Kennedy Space Center deputy director, was the keynote speaker at the center’s Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

Kelvin Manning, associate director, technical, attends the Black History Month celebration at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 18, 2020. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Black History Month Event

A Black History Month celebration was held on Feb. 18, 2020 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” From left are Kelvin Manning, Kennedy’s associate director, technical; Daren Etienne, BEST marketing director; James Jennings, keynote speaker, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director; Martin Hayes, BEST chairperson; Jakebia Keith, program and contract analyst for the IT Resources Management Office and BEST secretary; and Phillip Hargrove, BEST co-chairperson.

Black History Month Event

In recognition of Black History Month, the Black Employee Strategy Team hosted a panel discussion featuring some of the future leaders of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 13, 2019. Participants from left, are Tamiko Fletcher, Kennedy’s chief security information officer in IT Security; Anthony Harris, chief, Facility Systems Branch in Safety and Mission Assurance; Charmel Anderson-Jones, senior cross program quality engineer in the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, Exploration Ground Systems Division; and Malcolm Boston, contracting officer representative in the Launch Services Program. They shared personal testimony about their journey toward NASA employment, leadership styles and keys to their success.

Black History Month Event

In recognition of Black History Month, the Black Employee Strategy Team hosted a panel discussion featuring some of the future leaders of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 13, 2019. Participants from left, are Tamiko Fletcher, Kennedy’s chief security information officer in IT Security; Anthony Harris, chief, Facility Systems Branch in Safety and Mission Assurance; Charmel Anderson-Jones, senior cross program quality engineer in the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, Exploration Ground Systems Division; and Malcolm Boston, contracting officer representative in the Launch Services Program. They shared personal testimony about their journey toward NASA employment, leadership styles and keys to their success.

Black History Month Event

During a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 18, 2020 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Hortense Diggs, at the podium, director of Communication and Public Engagement, commemorates the contributions of former NASA employee and mentor Roslyn McKinney. The program was organized by the Black Employee Strategy Team (BEST), one of the center’s employee resource groups. This year’s theme was “African Americans and the Vote.” Keynote speaker was James Jennings, seated, far right, former NASA associate administrator for Institutions and Management and Kennedy’s former deputy director. Jennings shared advice with workers and managers.

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

NASA astronaut Alvin Drew speaks with retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee, left, speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee is seen during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee, left, speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee, left, speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee is seen as he speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee, left, speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Monica Manning, Assistant Administrator for Procurement at NASA, introduces Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee and NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee, left, speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Zudayyah Taylor-Dunn, president of the NASA Headquarters Chapter of Blacks in Government (BIG), left, and LaVerne Randolph, vice president of the NASA Headquarters Chapter of BIG, present a montage containing an American Flag and Ohio State flag flown in space to Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Members of the All Souls Church Unitarian Choir lead the audience in “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” after a duscussion between Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee and NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Clayton Turner, Director of NASA’s Langley Research Center, delivers closing remarks following a discussion between Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee and NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

NASA digital content strategist Andres Almeida sings the National Anthem before a discussion between Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee and NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Robert Pearce, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, left, moderates questions from the audience for retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

NASA digital content strategist Andres Almeida sings the National Anthem before a discussion between Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee and NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Melanie Saunders speaks before a discussion between retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee and NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Robert Pearce, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, speaks before a discussion between retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program titled “Trailblazers, The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. McGee, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was a career officer in the Air Force also serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 30 years of service he flew 409 combat missions. Of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine surviving. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Ashley Walker Portrait

“I’m a big community person. I’m a person who will be like, ‘I think I know someone for you.’ And then I’ll put everyone together. So I’m a big person on lending a helping hand. My platform is for highlighting folks. I’ve highlighted over 50 black junior astronomers for Black History Month, which I will continuously do. I founded the #BlackInAstro Week, which was very successful. I had no clue it was even trending until other people told me. I didn’t even realize until it was the middle of the week, and people were saying, ‘congratulations!’ And I was like, ‘wait, what? Okay, thanks!’ I didn’t realize it was that big. “Community for me and using my platform to promote others — it’s something that really makes me happy. It’s very important to lift others up because for me, I don’t see people who look like me. You never know who’s watching, or who will get inspired. The next generation of scientists will be amazing. This generation of scientists is outstanding — but the next generation will be amazing, so on and so forth. We’re just going to keep lifting each other up and making sure that we all have each other’s backs, because right now is a critical time in our lives. We need each other more than anything.” Ashley Walker, Intern in the Undergraduate Research Associates in Astrobiology program at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, is photographed in her home in Chicago, Ill. via video conference, Saturday, July 25, 2020 in Alexandria, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)