Blacks In Government (B.I.G)

History

Blacks In Government® (BIG) was established in 1975 and incorporated as a non-profit, non-partisan organization under the District of Columbia jurisdiction in 1976. The founders were a small group of African Americans at Public Health Services (part of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare) in Rockville, Maryland.

The organization was viewed as essential to the Black civil service employee, based on a wide assortment of racially motivated problems experienced at that time. Initially, it was thought that the umbrella organization would address only the problems at the Federal level. However, it was soon determined that State, County, and Municipal Black employees were facing the same or similar issues.

BIG has been a national response to the need for Blacks in public service and other interested parties to organize around issues of mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and community issues.

(B.I.G) Navy Metro Chapter

The Beginning of the B.I.G. Navy Metro Chapter

In August 1990, a survey was taken to ascertain interest in establishing a Blacks In Government (B.I.G.) Chapter at what was then David Taylor Naval Ship Research & Development Center (DTNSRDC) both in Bethesda and in Annapolis Maryland. The survey had more than 80 respondents and was sponsored by the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office of the Command. The survey was a follow-up to a Black History Month program when then National President of Blacks In Government Mrs. Rubye Fields spoke at Carderock.

The Bowie Library was chosen as a convenient meeting place between Bethesda and Annapolis to encourage people from both bases to form a chapter. Several early evening meetings were held there as the participants worked on the charter package. The command was undergoing a name change at the time.

Navy Metro Chapter was chosen because no one was sure what the new command name would be. The temporary officers were Roy Holland, President, Shirley Gaither, vice president, Claudia Silver, secretary and Glen Parker, treasurer. After the bylaws were accepted by the National Board of Directors of Blacks In Government, an election was held and the following people were chosen: Roy Holland, president, Claudia Silver, vice president, Shirley Gaither, secretary and Neil Faulkner, treasurer.

After meeting at the Bowie Library for several months with no participation by the Annapolis employees, the meetings were moved to Carderock and held after work. In August of 1991 the Navy Metro Chapter received their charter at the National Training Conference. The charter was presented to Neil Faulkner.  

After employees from the Philadelphia location attended the National Training Conference in Los Angeles, they decided to start a chapter. Members of the Navy Metro Chapter helped them get started. During the time that the NAVSES Chapter was active, Navy Metro Chapter networked, counseled and communicated with their leaders and membership.  

Navy Metro Chapter has exhibited a "can do spirit" in many arenas.   Members have provided leadership to the command, region and Washington Metropolitan Area. The chapter sits in Region XI of Blacks In Government. Participation in the Region allows the chapter access to arenas that reach much further than the gates of the command. Navy Metro Chapter members have lead the Region XI Fundraising, Programs and Education, Membership and Finance Committees.

Chapter members have lead or participated on over half of the committees that have been assembled when Region XI has been the host for the National Training Conference.   The Navy Metro Chapter has planned and sponsored Black History Month Programs, Women's History Month Programs, Women's Equality Day Programs, Hispanic Heritage Month Observances and Disability Awareness Month Programs and Activities.   Chapter members have also participated in the Navy and Department of Defense Forums held in conjunction with the National Training Conference.  

The Navy Metro Chapter has been active in the community.   Chapter members have represented the command at Career Fairs and Exhibit Booths during Urban League, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, National Society Black Engineers and Blacks In Government events.   The chapter has also lead charity efforts benefiting command employees and students.