BIG'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

BENJAMIN BANNEKER CHAPTER
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION P O BOX 23704 WASHINGTON, D. C.

CHAPTER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Benjamin Banneker Chapter (BBC) of Blacks in Government (BIG)) is an advocacy organization representing Black-American Associates in General Services Administration, in the Washington, DC and Metropolitan area.

BBC has as its primary focus, the implementation of activities and programs directed towards securing equality, career opportunity, training, and full representation of Black-Americans Associates in all occupations and grade levels in the General Services Administration.

BBC's ongoing oversight and fact finding efforts in the area of equal representation resulted in the generation of a set of comprehensive employment statistics (pie charts) depicting the overall under-representation of Black-Americans in the upper grades and key professional positions of a key Service and Staff Office (S/SO) of GSA.

Most significantly, the statistics outlined the gross lack of representation of Black-American Associates in GSA's GS-15 to senior level, management, and supervisory and professional positions.

Of particular interest to BBC is the lack of representation of Black-American Associates in upper grade levels at GSA and the declining representation of Black-American male Associates in all occupation and grade levels throughout GSA.

The statistical data was previously officially adopted by one of GSA's key S/SO and used by its Diversity Council in the development of its EEO/Diversity Plan.

BBC officials continue to meets regularly with selected senior level and management officials to discuss areas of concerns to GSA's Black-American Associates.

In recent years, BBC has sponsored and/or co-sponsored a number of agency and community-service related activities and events in carrying forth its stated goals and objectives. For example, BBC, in coordination and sponsorship of GSA, continues to jointly sponsor: GSA's:

- The GSA Agency Forum conducted at BIG's Annual National Training Conference, brings together senior officials, managers, supervisors, and Associates from all of GSA's service areas and regions, across the country, to discuss agency goals, objects, and programs. In addition, employment and career concerns and issues affecting GSA's employees, especially GSA's Black-American Associates, are also put on the table and discussed.

BIG's Annual National Training Conference (NTC) continues to be viewed, both government and nationwide, as an outstanding source for receiving high level, related job training for all Federal, State and local government employees.

The GSA Agency Forum, a regularly scheduled event at BIG's annual NTC in recent years, has proven to be a very worthwhile forum and opportunity for bring together a well represented cross-section of the GSA Family nationwide, to promote, communicate, discuss and evaluate key GSA activities, programs and overall work environment.

- Annual Martin Luther King and Black History Month Programs to educate and profile noteworthy Black-American's and their significant contributions to the development and continue growth of America.

During 2004, BBC sponsored to Black History programs at GSA's Central Office in Washington, DC, to continue its goal of educating and enlightening the GSA Family of significant contributions and events, made by Black-Americans, that have contributed greatly to Americans growth and prosperity.

Through its community outreach program, the chapter continues to sponsor and/or supports community activities that have involved the Black Patriots Memorial Foundation, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, Inc., coordinating the collection and donation of Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, Howard University Border Babies Program, etc. BBC is also very involved in GSA's efforts in the administration and support of the Agency-wide Volunteer Service Program. and received the Agency's 'Organization Volunteer Service' Award in April 1993.

Other significant accomplishments of BBC include, but are not limited to:

Invited to serve as a participating member on the IRMS's Diversity Council.
Created BBC/BIG Automated Talent Bank to identify qualified African-American employees.
Established amicable direct working relationship with the agency's Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Head of IRMS, National Capital Region Administrator and other senior officials of the agency.
Increased awareness and support of BIG among GSA employees and managers.
Mediates conflict and disputes about our members' attendance at the Annual BIG National Training Conferences.
Introduced Chapter's "Hour of Learning" program in GSA where employees view videos an movies highlighting noted Black-Americans and their contributions, listen to guest speakers or conduct open discussions on issues and events affecting Black-Americans.
Sponsored three-day video program profiling famous Black-Americans during Black History Month at the General Services Administration Headquarters building. (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Buffalo Soldiers.)
Sponsored Annual BBC Awards Program that recognizes GSA employees, regardless of their color, race and ethnic background for their achievements and the promotion of EEO and diversity within the General Services Administration.

NOTE: BBC award recipients to date include: the former Administrator of GSA; Deputy Administrator of GSA (BBC Member) and Chief Information Officer of GSA (BBC Member), Regional Administrator, and other GSA senior officials, managers and supervisors. These individuals were recognized for their outstanding efforts and support in promoting Black-Americans to key senior level positions and other key management positions across the agency. These individuals were also recognized for their overall efforts in the promotion of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees in GSA.

Sponsors open house affairs at GSA and BIG's Annual National Training Conference to increase awareness of the goals and objectives of BIG and encourage new membership in the organization.
BBC continues to serve as a participating member on the agency's Special Events Committee to plan and promote agency programs of special interest to agency employees and the local community, i.e.: Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Birthday, and Black History Month.
BBC also works in partnership with Federal Employed Women (FEW) and other agency-based organizations to plan and promote activities to educate and enhance the quality-of-life of agency employees and the local community through the distribution of clothes, food baskets, personal articles and toys during the Thanksgiving and Christma season. BBC's sponsorship and participation in community service activities have benefited such individuals and organizations as: local area ophan's groups, Howard University's Border Babies, Senior students graduating for high school, and DC's Senior Citizens.
BBC is a noted sponsor of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, Inc (TMSF), the guardian of a 167-year tradition of educating African-American merit scholars through the awarding of four-year merit scholarships through its Nation Merit Scholarship Fund, in support of Historically Black Public Colleges and Universities. A number of BBC members participated in the National Leadership & Achievement Awards Program to honor this years recipients of the HBCU Community Leadership Awards.(September 14, 2000)
During the 2000 and 2004 BIG National Training Conferences, hosted by the BIG Washington, DC region and chapters, BBC members stepped forward to chair and/or co-chair a number of key NTC activities and commitee that included: Chair of the 2004 NTC, Deputy Chair of the 2000 NTC, Automation, Hospitality, Inventory Control, Job Fair, Pre-Registration and Workships. Additionally, BBC members volunteered to serve on a number of 2000 NTC activities, committees and events.
The chapter's December 2000 General Meeting doubled as a Open House and Holiday Luncheon for members and visitor's from the GSA Family. After the regular meeting, a special Christmas Luncheon Dinner was served, gifts were collected for chapter sponsored kids in the D C Foster Care Program, and a number of Christmas presents were exchanged between members..
Chapter members sponsored (provided Christmas gifts and toys) approximately twenty-three children currently in the District of Columbia Foster Care Program. The Christmas gifts and toys were presented to the children during a Christmas Luncheon Program at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on December 16, 2000.
The chapter, in partnership with the General Services Administration, sponsored two programs during the 2001 Black History month in keeping with this year's theme: "Creating and Defining the African-American Community, Family, Church, politics, and Culture".

NOTE: On February 14, 2001, entertainer Jerry Butler spoke and sign copies of his book. "Only the Strong Survive." in the GSA Central Office Auditorium in Washington, DC.

NOTE: On February 21, 2001, BBC presented Washington Post columnist Courtland Milloy and vocalist Michael Orr at the Crystal Forum of the Marriott Crystal City Hotel, in Arlington, VA.

NOTE: The Human Resources Division (WCP) also sponsored a number of Black History Month programs at the GSA Regional Office Building that included an "Open Mike" Gospel Fest, Dr. Emma Etuk, local historian and author, and the Rev. Dr. Walter Fauntory, renowned minister, civil rights worker and politician.

17. BBC sponsored a number of bus trips to 'Atlanta City' and 'Midway' slots and simulcast, to raise funds to support chapter activities and programs during the year 2001. Both trips was well attended and raised monies to support a number of upcoming chapter activities and events.
18. BBC sponsored the release of five Sundan Slaves from the horrors inflicted upon them by the Muslins.At a cost of $34.00, each freed slave will be relocated by a Christian Group through efforts of the Christian Solidiarity International. A number of BBC members pledged individual donations.
NOTE: The Joe 'Black Eagle' Madison, promoted this very important cause on his Local Talk Show Host on 1450 WOL-AM. For more information about the Black Eagle In Sudan, click on http://www.joemadison.com. (2001)
19. The chapter, in response to call for emergency assistance, contributed $100.00 to a RXI member, who suffered a major loss (Housing, Clothes, etc.) as a result of a fire at her apartment complex. (2001)
20. BBC participate in the GSEA Spring Festival held May 10, 2001 at the FSS CM-4 Courtyard in Crystal City, Va. Chapter members distributed information/fact sheets about the BBC, BIG organization and membership, membership forms, BBC, 2001 National Training Conference. In addition, BBC (N. Hopper) sold BC chapter .and 'Mother's Day' T-shirts.

Benjamin Banneker Chapter members continue to serve as: Officers, Committee Chairs and key volunteers on a number of National and Regional committees, and the annual BIG National Training Conference.

Updated: January 31, 2005