Black History Month Classroom Presentation.pdf

Black History Month Classroom Presentation

1. Black History Month
FEBRUARY 1
st
–28
th

2. BLACK HISTORY MONTH, OR NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, IS A TIME
THAT COMMEMORATES THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND CELEBRATES
THEIR FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IN SHAPING U.S. HISTORY.

3. DR. CARTER GODWIN WOODSON
THE FATHER OF BLACK HISTORY
Known as the “Father of Black History”, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson
believed that maintaining Black history, Black contributions to
society and the rich cultural impact of African Americans was
necessary to inspire pride of Black heritageand help other
Americans to understand.
He obtained a PhD from Harvard University, but was also a historian,
author, journalist, and the Dean of multiple universities. In 1915, he
established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
“THOSE WHO HAVE NO RECORD OF WHAT THEIR
FOREBEARS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED LOSE THE
INSPIRATION WHICH COMES FROM THE TEACHING
OF BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY.”

4. 1909—A permanent civil rights organization, the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP), was founded.
1915—Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded what is now known as
the Association for the Study of African American Life
and History (ASALH).
1926—Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the ASALH established the
first “Negro History Week”, which grew in popularity
throughout the following decades.
1969—Black History Month was first proposed by Black
educators and theBlack United StudentsatKent State
University and celebrated one year later in 1970.
1976—Black History Month was officially recognized by
President Gerald Ford, asking the public to “seize the
opportunity to honor the too-often neglected
accomplishments ofBlackAmericans in every area of
endeavor throughout ourhistory”.

5. AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE HAD A LONG HISTORY OF SERVICE WITH THE MILITARY
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY SINCE ITS FORMATION. THE FOLLOWING PAGES
HIGHLIGHT SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FROM THE AFRICAN
AMERICAN COMMUNITY —ON SUBMARINES, SHIPS, AIRCRAFT AND ASHORE.

6. In 1944, the Navy assembled a group of Black enlisted
men to begin officer training. Instead of the usual
sixteen-week training course, the men were granted
only eight weeks to prepare for the final tests. Knowing
that failure could set back the course of racial justice,
the men were determined to succeed. Covering their
windows with blankets at lights out, they studied
together by flashlight long into the nights.
THE GOLDEN THIRTEEN

7. All thirteen men passed their exams with such high
grades that a retest was held to rule out the
possibility of cheating. The group scored even higher,
obtaining the highest average of any class in Navy
history at the time.
Today, every future Sailor arrives at basic training at
“The Golden Thirteen” building, named in honor of the
first African American officers.
THE GOLDEN THIRTEEN

8. In 1983, Captain C.A. “Pete”
Tzomes became the first African
American engineer to command a
nuclear-powered submarine. Word
of his leadership spread, inspiring
young Black Sailors throughout
the Navy. Within the first 100 years
(centennial) of U.S. Submarine
Force history, six other African
American men followed in his
footsteps to command nuclear-
powered submarines—together
known as “The Centennial Seven.”
THE CENTENNIAL SEVEN

9. THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN
WOMAN TO…
In 1999, Admiral Michelle Howard became the first African American
woman to command of a ship in the U.S. Navy, the USS Rushmore
(LSD 47), after completing several deployments, including service in
Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
She went on to become the first African American woman in the U.S.
military to earn rank as both a two and three-star admiral.
ADMIRAL MICHELLE HOWARD
THE FIRST WOMAN TO…
In 2014, Howard became thefirst woman ever appointed Vice Chief
of Naval Operations, as well as the first woman to become a four-
star admiral. This made her the second highest-ranking officer in
the U.S. Navy.

10. NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
George Carruthers is an astrophysicist who dedicated much of his
career working with the Space Science Division of the Naval
Research Laboratory.
One of his most notable achievements is the Far Ultraviolet
Camera Spectrograph, which NASA used when it launched Apollo
16 in 1972. It took the first photographs of Earth from a distance in
ultraviolet light, showing the full extent of the hydrogen
atmosphere. It still resides on the moon today.
DR. GEORGE CARRUTHERS
HIGHEST AWARDS & RECOGNITION
NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest
honor for technology achievement and bestowed by the
President of the United States
1 9 7 2
2003
2 0 1 2

11. WINGS OF GOLD
After graduating the Naval Academy in 2017, Swegle began her
training at the Naval Aviation Schools Commandat NAS
Pensacola, Florida. Following her initial training she entered
the Tactical Air (Strike) pilot pipeline, paving the way for her to
fly aircraft like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the F-35C Joint
Strike Fighter or the EA-18G Growler.
In 2020, she received her Wings of Gold—becoming the U.S.
Navy’s first African American female tactical air pilot and
marking a significant milestone in history.
Swegle follows in the footsteps of Brenda E. Robinson, who
earned her Wings of Gold in 1980 as the Navy’s first African
American female naval aviator.
LT MADELINE G. SWEGLE

12. “I’M EXCITED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WORK HARDER AND FLY HIGH
PERFORMANCE JET AIRCRAFT IN THE FLEET,” SWEGLE SAID. “IT WOULD’VE BEEN NICE TO
SEE SOMEONE WHO LOOKED LIKE ME IN THIS ROLE; I NEVER INTENDED TO BE THE FIRST.
I HOPE IT’S ENCOURAGING TO OTHER PEOPLE.”
-LT SWEGLE

13. Minority Serving
Institution Scholarship
Reservation

14. The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Minority Serving
Institution Scholarship Reservation (MSISR) offers students the
opportunity to earn their degree and receive valuable leadership skills
while enjoying the benefits of an exciting career.
BENEFITS FOR SELECTED APPLICANTS INCLUDE
•Tuition and other financial benefits worth up to $180,000
•Opportunity for enrollment at more than 20 of the nation’s leading
Minority Serving Institutions (MSI)
•$250-$400 per month tax-free spending money
MSISR LEADS TO
•100% employment upon graduation
•Unlimited travel opportunities
•30 days paid vacation earned annually
•Excellent medical/dental benefits
•$400,000 Life Insurance & 401(k)-like thrift savings plan
MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION
SCHOLARSHIP RESERVATION

15. CONTACT YOUR RECRUITER TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT CURRENT SCHOLARSHIPS
America’s Navy offers cutting-edge training in more than
130 essential fields, including healthcare, electronics,
nuclear engineering, aviation and more.

16. “BY TAKING THE TIME TO EDUCATE OURSELVES ON OUR HISTORY AND THE PEOPLE WHO SHAPED
THIS NATION, WE CAN MORE FULLY APPRECIATE THE IDEALS SET DOWN BY THE FOUNDERS…IT’S
A REMINDER THAT OUR WORK IS TO SUSTAIN FREEDOM AND ENSURE THAT RIGHTS AND LIBERTY
BELONG TO ALL OUR CITIZENS.”
—ADMIRAL MICHELLE HOWARD
QUESTIONS?

17. Thank you!