Black History Month
African-American/Black History Month is an annual celebration which recognizes the significant contributions of African-Americans throughout our nation’s history, through their contributions in arts, entertainment, law, politics, sciences, sports and so much more.
The history of African-American/Black History Month traces back to 1915, when the “Father of Black History Month,” Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which is currently known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Through their diligence and commitment to African American citizens, Dr. Woodson and the ASALH introduced the first Negro History Week in February 1926.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford issued the first African-American History Month proclamation, calling upon the Americans to celebrate this observance each February. Since that time, U.S. presidents have issued proclamations to pay tribute to African Americans.
For information on diversity and inclusion, visit DoDEA's Diversity, Management, and Equal Opportunity, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI).
Shirley A. Jones Keynote Address, 2023
The Honorable Shirley A. Jones is the National President of Blacks In Government (BIG). She is a Senior Executive Service (SES) Member at the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the first African American female in the agency's history to be appointed to the position of Managing Associate General Counsel, within GAO's Office of General Counsel (OGC).
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DoDEA Mission Champions
For 75 years, the people of our organization have contributed significantly to the readiness of our military forces and improving the quality of life for military families around the globe. Learn about a few of these mission champions by downloading the posters below.
