A team member of the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation (AFSAC) Directorate, Winston Ferguson, is doing some exciting things for Black History.
Ferguson is working with The Dayton Regional S.T.E.M. School (DRSS) and mentoring students in each classroom, grades 6 -12 about Black History. The mentoring is done virtually through short video conference calls. The interactions last approximately 15-20 minutes and provide students an opportunity to learn about Black History achievements and contributions and interact with the speaker.
American History is full of amazing Black History achievements and contributions. Here’s a brief list of some of the contributions that Ferguson references in the mentoring program:
- Mark Dean (Computer Scientist): Holds three of the nine patents for being the co-creator of the IBM personal computer
- Paul Lawrence Dunbar (Poet): Internationally acclaimed poet from Dayton, OH
- Rosalind Brewer (Businesswoman): Walgreens CEO as of March 15, 2021
- Robert L. Johnson (Entrepreneur): Founded Black Entertainment Television Channel (BET)
- Madam C.J. Walker (Entrepreneur): First female self-made millionaire in America
- George Washington Carver (Scientist and Inventor): Developed crop rotations for farmers and holder of three patents
- Charles Drew (Surgeon): Invented a way to process and preserve blood plasma
The above list and more achievements/contributions can be found in the book Black Firsts: Groundbreaking Events in African American History.
When discussing Black History achievement and contributions, Ferguson emphasizes a few key points to consider:
- When talking about Black History, be careful not to isolate it, but seek understanding of how it is an important part of the American story.
- Be careful not to force your own ideas on someone. Simply share your personal experience to a listening ear for education and exposure.
- Realize people can have different meanings of words than you.
- Be open to dialogue for understanding and not necessarily agreement.
If you would like more information about the Black History Mentoring Program, email AFLCMC.WF.Workflow@us.af.mil with "ATTN: Winston Ferguson" as the subject.