# A Day of Empowerment

/ Published March 26, 2018
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
A “Day of Empowerment” training symposium hosted by the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Equal Employment Opportunity Office and the DLA Blacks in Government chapter was held in the McNamara Headquarter Complex, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Feb. 28. 

“One of the goals of the BIG organization is to promote professionalism and not just within our local BIG Chapters but across our various organizations as a whole and this event served as a catalyst toward meeting that goal,” said BIG Program and Planning Co-Chair Angela Jones. “We chose this platform because it created an opportunity for participants to gain insight and a greater perspective on leadership from a world-renowned group of leadership experts and professional trailblazers.”  

The inaugural event featured Dwayne Bennett, president of Yes to Success, LLC, and an independent certified coach, trainer and speaker who facilitated the Live2Lead simulcast. Other special guests included the bestselling author and coach John C. Maxwell and bestselling author and money management expert Dave Ramsey who provided remote broadcast presentations that inspired thoughtful and interactive discussions. 

“The high energy day was interactive, giving the participants an opportunity to not only gain from the knowledge, wisdom and expertise of the facilitator and speakers but from their colleagues from the various organizations within the Headquarters Complex,” Jones said.  

More than 45 DLA employees participated in the event that was broadcasted to over 300 different locations around the world. The event also featured broadcast presentations from Cheryl Bachelder, former Chief Executive Officer for Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., and Warrick Dunn, former National Football League running back and partner of the Atlanta Falcons.

“DLA Energy EEO recognizes the importance of advising and supporting the various affinity groups within the workforce,” said Darrell Bogan, DLA Energy EEO director. “This event wasn’t just open to BIG members, but to anyone who wanted to participate, support and learn the culture of the group.”

The EEO and BIG collaborative effort directly aligns with the DLA People and Culture Plan, specifically the objective to provide opportunities to empower a diverse workforce with tools to remain resilient through professional and personal challenges in the workplace. 

“These events help with workforce retention and recruitment and provide an avenue for our workforce to enhance their skills,” Bogan said. 

Emma Powell, a DLA Energy procurement analyst and DLA chapter BIG member, found the experience valuable.

“It was great training,” she said. “With the up-coming generation of government workers and those getting ready to retire, we are all accountable to one another to make it better for those that come behind us.” 

This open-forum event allowed attendees to be forthcoming and explore methods to navigate workplace barriers, challenges, biases and behaviors. Attendees were given the opportunity to spend almost a whole day on professional development at no cost to them or their organization. 

The BIG organization was founded in 1975 by African American employees at the Department of Health Education and Welfare, and actively seeks to promote equity in all aspects of American life, excellence in public service and opportunity for all Americans. 

If you are interested in joining the organization, please contact Elijah Cornish, membership chair, at 571-767-4494 or visit www.dlabig.weebly.com. For information regarding upcoming events, please contact the BIG Planning and Programs Committee at BIGPPC@dla.mil.