BIG HISTORY

Blacks In Government (BIG), a pro-active national organization operating within the federal, state and local sector governments to educate and promote equal employment opportunity in the areas of recruitment, hiring, training, work assignments, promotions, career development, upward mobility, and other work related concerns. BIG was founded in 1975 by a group of African-American employees in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In 1976, BIG was incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the laws of the District of Columbia. Today there are over 200 BIG chapters nationwide. These chapters serve as operating arms of the organization, carrying out a variety of programs to meet local needs.

GAO CHAPTER HISTORY

The BIG GAO chapter received its charter on September 3, 1980. On January 28, 1981, then Comptroller General, Elmer B. Staats, formally recognized the chapter and pledged GAO’s support in furthering the organization’s objectives. BIG/GAO is guided by the same goals and objectives as the BIG national organization, which include serving as an advocate of equal opportunity for African American employees and promoting professionalism among African American employees. BIG/GAO currently functions as a local employee support, an advisory, and a resource group for African American civil servants at GAO and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The organization annually sponsors activities for African American History Month in February, which features the popular oratorical contest for Washington, DC high school students, and workshops throughout the year to bring awareness to employment, social, and health issues facing African Americans. The organization also sponsors annual food drives for less fortunate Washington, DC families and has been a key player in planning activities for the international auditors for GAO’s International Fellows Program.

FORMER CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

*John Luke (deceased) (1981-82)
*Aletha Brown (1983-84)
*Melvin Horne (1985)
*George Shelton (1986-87)
*Wyley Neal (1988-90)
Gerald Dillingham (1990-91)

Norma Samuel (1991-93)
Andrew Marshall (1994-95)
Lee Richardson (1995)
John Smith (1996-2001)

Norman Burrell (2002-2004)

Fairy Armstrong, USACE, (1993-95)

*Also founding members


CHAPTER FOUNDERS

Rosa Chevalier
Hazel “Dee” Cook (deceased)
Samuel Cox
Frank Davis

James Driggins

Curtis Evans
Michael Horton
Geraldine Howard
Toni Jenkins
Paul Jones
Belva Martin
Grady Poulard
Benjamin Ross
Jean Saunders
Ryan Yuille (deceased)