The Benjamin Banneker Chapter (BBC) of Blacks In Government (BIG) held its 1999 Annual Awards Program and Membership Drive on May 27, 1999 in the main Auditorium of the General Services Administration Central Office Building in downtown Washington, DC.

Each year the Benjamin Banneker Chapter endeavors to recognize chapter members, GSA Family members, and member(s) and group(s) from the local community  for their unselfish devotion and distinguished contributions to the chapter and the promotion of BIG's goals and objectives.

This year, chapter awards were presented in three major categories: "Excellence In Leadership", "Benjamin Banneker Chapter Involvement" and "Community Service".

The Annual Awards Program also recognizes members of the GSA Family for their distinguished contributions in support of chapter activities, events and programs promoting "Diversity" and "Equal Employment" throughout the General Services Administration.

"Presidential Excellence Awards" were presented to five members of the GSA family for their notable contributions and support of chapter events and programs.

Special Recognition Awards were presented to  the:  Latimer Chapter of Federally Employed Women; General Services Employees Association (GSEA); and Mrs. Stephanie Gaines-Bryant, WHUR Radio News Center,

"Certificates of Appreciation" were also presented to chapter members for their participation and support in chapter activities, programs and the 1998 BIG National Training Conference.

Special gifts of appreciation were presented to a number of chapter members by Ms. Jannett Dyson, President, Benjamin Banneker Chapter.

Once again, BBC offers congratulations to this years award recipients, and extend our special thanks to the distinguished guests, GSA family members and visitors, who set aside time from their busy schedules to attend our Annual Awards Program on May 27, 1999.

Benjamin Banneker Chapter

Through her consistent volunteerism and demonstrated leadership, Ms. Cashwell has played a continuing and instrumental role in the successful completion of numerous key projects and programs in support of the chapter, region and national levels of Blacks In Government.

Ms. Cashwell is currently the chairperson of the chapter's "Planning and Program", "Career Development" and "Awards" committees; chaired and/or Co-chaired the chapters "Black History Program", "Christmas" and "Thanksgiving" Community Service Program activities. She Co-Chaired the Region XI Council's committee to evaluate the feasibility of bidding to sponsor the Annual National Training Conference in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Ms. Cashwell also chaired the Legislative Breakfast during the 1998 National Training Conference as well as assisted in other NTC committee activities.

For his untiring efforts in providing labor-related negotiating talents in the interest of African-Americans employees. Mr. Stewart efforts have included, but not limited to: (1) Investigating the agency's hiring and promotion practices as they affect African-Americans in the National Capital Region, (2) Negotiating an agreement with the agency whereby profit shares earned by the NCR employees (70% African-American) performing services in support of other agencies are shared by employees at PBS/NCR through Cash Awards, and (3) Successfully negotiating 72 grievances (47 for promotions) file at NCR.

For her consistent volunteerism in the planning and execution of Benjamin Banneker Chapter activities and programs. Ms. Ham, as the chapter's Second Vice President, has taken an active leadership role in overseeing the Chapter's Program Committee and participates in meeting with agency heads in promoting BIG and seeking their support. She actively participated in the planning and execution of the GSA Forum at the 1998 National Training Conference. She is involved in planning the GSA Forum at the 1999 NTC and serves as a key focal point and information clearinghouse regarding the 1999 BIG National Training Conference. Ms. Ham was a delegate to the 1998 BIG National Training conference.

For his consistent volunteerism in the planning and execution of Benjamin Banneker Chapter activities and programs. Mr. King designed and implemented the chapter's web site residing on BIGNET and is the chapter's Web Master. He recently rewrote the chapter's by-laws and coordinated the final document's review and approval with the region and national levels of Blacks In Government. Mr. King also serves as one of three BBC Representatives to the Region XI Council. He assisted in the execution of the chapter's 'Black History Month Program', and played a major role in the planning and execution of BBC's 'Annual Awards  Program'. Mr. King has served as  a Chapter Delegate at BIG's National Delegates Assembly from 1994 to 1998,  He provided clerical assistance to the Legislative Breakfast Forum Committee at the 1998 BIG National Training Conference.

For her consistent volunteerism as BBC's Representative in the performance of charitable responsibilities with the Orphans Foundation of America, St. Anne's Infants and Maternity Home and scholarship assistance for the first African-American sextuplets. She was active in the execution of the chapter's Black History Month program at the Federal Supply Service. Ms. Gibson was a delegate to and very active in the planning and execution of the 1998 Legislative Breakfast Forum at the 1998 BIG National Training conference.

For supporting the goals and objectives of the Benjamin Banneker Chapter of Blacks In Government by encouraging managers, supervisors and employees to attend the BIG National Training Conference and workshops sessions each year. Mr. Barram provided support and sponsorship for the GSA Forum at the BIG National Training Conference, which focuses on the State of GSA, and major issues affecting its minority employees.

For supporting the objectives of the Benjamin Banneker Chapter of Blacks In Government by providing complete computer workstations for use at the 1997 and 1998 National Training Conference. The computers were used to support the Pre-Registration and On-Site Registration activities at the BIG National Training Conference.

For supporting the goals and objectives of the Benjamin Banneker Chapter of Blacks In Government by adding a line item in NCR’s budget to host Special Emphasis Programs each year for Black History Month, Hispanic Month, Women’s History Month, Asian-Pacific Month and American Indian Month.

For supporting the objectives of the Benjamin Banneker Chapter of Blacks In Government by adding a line item in NCR’s budget to host programs during Black History Month and supporting efforts to increase the number of GSA employees attending BIG's National Training Conferences.

For Outstanding Leadership in managing GSA’s nationwide Small, Small Disadvantaged and Women-Owned Business Programs. Her innovative solutions had a significant impact on contract awards to African American companies. . Ms. Ford afforded the opportunity for African American employees to help manage the small business program and assisted many minorities in understanding how to be successful in winning Federal Government contracts.

Special Recognition was given to the Latimer Chapter of Federally Employed Women for their support (with funds and resources) minority and cultural related events hosted by the Benjamin Banneker Chapter of BIG. The Latimer Chapter co-sponsored a number of community service projects such as St. Ann’s Infants and Maternity Home and the Orphans Foundation of America, as well as, a scholarship fund for the Sextuplets born to an African-American couple in Alexandria, Virginia in May 1997.

General Services Employees Association (GSEA)

Special recognition to the General Services Employees Association (GSEA) for supporting the Benjamin Banneker Chapter during the General Services Administration Forum held for the past two years at the Blacks In Government annual National Training Conference. The GSEA provided refreshments at the GSA Forum.

Stephanie Gaines-Bryant:

Special recognition to Mrs. Stephanie Gaines-Bryant at the WHUR Radio News Center, for chapter support at our Annual Community Service Program.  This charitable activity is conducted annual during Christmas.  Mrs. Bryant gladly participated as our guest celebrity when BBC handed Christmas presents to teenages at the
Ophans Foundation of American.  There were 14 young ladies for which the Chapter prepared an old fashioned christmas dinner.

Special Recognition was given to Ms. Claire Cashwell, (Legislative Breakfast); Ms. Sandy Dotson, (Hospitality); and Ms. Jannett Dyson, (Workshops) for chairing key committees during the 1998 BIG national Training conference in Washington, DC.

Claire Cashwell, Hermon Clemmons, Anita Connelly, Cecelia Davis, Sandi Dotson, Jannett Dyson , Viola Fisher, Carolyn Green, Sanya Ham, Liz Henderson, Newton Hopper, Lawrence King, Sr., Barbara Lawson, Joy Walker, Rosa McCullough, Andre Sheppard, Donald Smith, and Claude Stark.

Certificates were also presented to BBC members for their devotion and participation on various conferences committees planning, and executing the 1998 BIG National Training conference in Washington, DC:

Automation - Lawrence King, Sr.; Hospitality - Sandi Dotson, Chair, Cecelia Davis, Dep. Chair, Viola Fisher, Dep.Chair, Wanda Nolan, Dep. Chair, Barbara Dwyer, Doris C. Johnson, Azzie L. Jones and Viola Jones; Legislative Forum - Claire Cashwell, Chair, Sanya Ham, Dep. Chair, Barbara Dwyer, Felicia Gibson, Viola Jones, Sandra Powell, Cheryl Santos, Don, Smith and Claude Starke; Logistics - Herman Clemmons, Lawrence King, Sr. and Claude Starke; Workshops - Jannett Dyson, Chair, Carolyn Green and Rosa McCullough.

Ms. Jannett Dyson, Chapter President, presented special gifts of appreciation to Ms. Claire J. Cashwell, Ms. Sanya C.W. Ham, Mr. Lawrence F. King,, Sr. and Ms. Wanda W. Nolan.