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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      DAF hosts Black History Month STEM achievement panelPublished Feb. 24, 2023
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Spencer Slocum
                    
                    
                    316th Wing Public Affairs
            **JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) --**The Department of the Air Force hosted a Black History Month event at the General Jacob E. Smart Conference Center, Feb. 23.
Led by the Black/African American Employment Strategy Team, or BEST, the theme of the event was African American STEM achievements.
The panel began with remarks from Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.** where he highlighted the significant contributions African Americans have made in fields related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and the importance of freedom for all to serve in the military.Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., provides opening remarks for the African American STEM Achievement panel, Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb 22, 2023. The event was hosted by the Black/African American Strategy Team (BEST) whose goal is to eliminate career barriers for people of color. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., provides opening remarks during the African American STEM Achievement panel at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb 22, 2023. The event was hosted by the Department of the Air Force and the Black/African American Strategy Team whose goal is to eliminate career barriers for people of color. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)
            
            
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Brown also spoke about the influence certain individuals such as the 33rd President of the U.S. Harry S. Truman, the **Tuskegee Airmen** and the first Secretary of the Air Force **W. Stuart Symington**, have had throughout Air Force history.
Before closing his speech, Brown spoke on the impact African American members have had serving in the military.
“When the nation needed talent, when the nation needed courage, when the nation needed determination, when the nation needed [the] skill to defend our freedom, African Americans were ready and eager to serve,” he said.
The day continued with remarks from the event moderator **Col. Janelle T.H. Jackson**, Air Force Office of Scientific Research deputy director and Detachment 14 commander.
“Today’s discussion is a solution focused dialogue with heavy emphasis exuding professionalism, empathy and compassion at all times,” Jackson said.
The day’s guest speakers were then invited to share a short background on themselves. Panelists included members such as **Maj. Peter Saunders**, Air University Department of Engineering Physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology assistant professor of atmospheric science and **Dr. Reginald Turner**, Air University School of Systems and Logistics associate dean.Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., provides opening remarks for the African American STEM Achievement panel, Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb 22, 2023. The event was hosted by the Black/African American Strategy Team (BEST) whose goal is to eliminate career barriers for people of color. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., provides opening remarks during the African American STEM Achievement panel at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb 22, 2023. The event was hosted by the Department of the Air Force and the Black/African American Strategy Team whose goal is to eliminate career barriers for people of color. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)
            
            
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“I had a sixth or seventh grade math teacher who submitted a grant to buy some computers for his class,” Turner said. “He got the proposal funded [and bought three basic computers] and I was hooked. At that point, I had to be involved in anything that involved computers.”
The event concluded with closing remarks from **Brig. Gen. Devin R. Pepper**, Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate deputy director, who spoke on the **Space Force**’s STEM perspective. Pepper focused on STEM’s key role in the space domain and its necessity to keep ahead of America’s adversaries.
“The panel did a fantastic job,” Pepper said. “Thank you to everyone who had a hand in bringing this together.”FS 



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