About Us
Blacks In Government® (BIG) was established in 1975 and incorporated in 1976 by a small group of African Americans at the Public Health Services which is a part of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) in the Parklawn building in Rockville, Maryland. The organization was viewed as essential to the Black civil service employee, based on a wide assortment of racially motivated problems faced by the HEW Black employees in Rockville. Initially, it was thought that the umbrella organization would address only the problems at the Federal level. However, it was soon determined that State, County, and Municipal Black employees were faced with the same general type of employment problems.
Old School Jam 2008
Nonetheless, Blacks In Government was organized in 1975 and incorporated as a non-profit organization under the District of Columbia jurisdiction in 1976. BIG has been a national response to the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and community issues. BIG”s goals are to promote EQUITY in all aspects of American life, EXCELLENCE in public service, and OPPORTUNITY for all Americans.
Blacks in Government was brought to the Northwest in 1981 with the charter of the Seattle Chapter. The Southeast Chapter was chartered in 1991 on the premise that it would be dedicated to its membership and develop and sponsor programs which would provide support to African American youth.
The Southeast Chapter, with over 100 members, is the largest chapter in Region X (Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho). As an organization we promote unity and professionalism among African Americans, strive to promote growth and development for our members and build a bridge between our communities and government.
Officers
| President | Lloyd Dow | City of Seattle, Department of Planning & Development |
|---|---|---|
| Vice-President | Bashiru Amidu | City of Seattle, Department of Transportation |
| Treasurer | Mabel Alexander | City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities |
| Assistant Treasurer | Bill Cofer | City of Seattle, Seattle City Light | Assistant Secretary | Linda Jones | City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities |
Regional Council Representatives |
Luther Lyle Mabel Alexander |
Retired, City of Seattle, Office of Finance & Administrative Services City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities |